Paulina Wiest, of Butler, voted for the first time since becoming an American citizen last year. Submitted Photo

It would be easy to think the primary election held Tuesday, April 23, wasn’t very important, with relatively few contested races and the presidential candidates already clear for November’s general election.

But for at least one person in Butler County, the election was very important. Because, as we learned in the Wednesday edition of the Butler Eagle, Paulina Wiest voted in her first election.

Wiest moved to the U.S. in 2016 from Mexico and became a permanent resident after a few years. She achieved her ultimate goal last year when she became a U.S. citizen.

And on Tuesday she took part in a civic rite of passage when she voted.

“I think it was one of the biggest things I ever did once I got my citizenship,” she said. “There’s a lot of things you can do when you become a citizen, but for me, voting was No. 1.”

In a time of intense political polarization, Wiest’s story is a reminder of the promise of the American dream. She came to the United States as an au pair and went through the intimidating and expensive process of both obtaining permanent residency and then becoming a naturalized citizen.

She did so because she wanted to give her best to her new home. That was why voting was so important to her.

But she went a step further than that. Wiest didn’t just vote on Tuesday, she was also a poll worker, helping ensure others also got the chance to exercise their rights.

As the November election approaches, the political rhetoric is almost certain to get even stronger, but Wiest’s journey, and her dedication to the fundamental freedoms our nation was founded on, can serve as an antidote to that.

Our nation has long been a beacon of freedom and opportunity. Dedication from citizens like Wiest show it will be for a long time to come, as well.

— JK