Carol and Chuck Chamberlain celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last month.
On Friday, the Latrobe couple marked another important part of their lives together — 50 consecutive years of voting in a general election.
“You have to keep the democracy going and that’s the only way to do it, by voter participation and being active in your community,” said Chuck Chamberlain, 74.
He and Carol, 71, were among 90 people honored Friday at the Westmoreland County Courthouse for being inducted into the state’s Voter Hall of Fame. New members received certificates for their dedication and applause from county officials whose names have appeared on ballots over the years.
Carol Chamberlain’s mother worked in the county’s Bureau of Elections office.
“That’s why I registered, I didn’t have a choice,” said the retired hairdresser.
Her husband, a retired educator, instilled the importance of voting in the Greater Latrobe High School students. Throughout their relationship, the Chamberlains, both registered Democrats, have usually been on the same page about candidates.
“It’s a major topic of conversation, especially with today’s political scene,” Chuck Chamberlain said.
Honorees were lauded for their commitment to democracy, exercising their rights and for leading by example. Judge Chris Scherer referred to them as “super voters.”
“You have set such an example for your family that watched you make that important in your life,” he said. “For your friends and neighbors, to the people who saw you go vote every time because that was so important to you, and the values you’ve instilled in others by your example for them seeing that happen.”
The state’s Voter Hall of Fame has more than 23,000 members. Nearly 300 of them are in Westmoreland County. Members submit applications and the county elections officials verify the information. Of the 90 people inducted Friday, 16 of them were married couples.
“You represent a generation of Americans who made many sacrifices and, all the while, you contributed your voice, your energy to our democratic institutions and I am very appreciative of that,” said Jonathan Marks, deputy secretary for Elections and Commissions.
