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First Time Voter Vanni Wang Prioritizes Women's Issues

Some people who went to the polls Tuesday were veterans; they vote in every election and have for years. But others were like Vanni Wang: A new citizen  and a first-time voter.

Wang moved to the United States from China in 2005. She became a naturalized citizen in June, and Tuesday, Election Day, was her first chance to vote. 

"I'm very proud to be a citizen," Wang said. "As a citizen, we have a lot of duties -- to vote and to make the right decision and to choose the right people for office and to make everything right for the country."

Wang designs bridal and couture garments. She is the CEO of her own design shop: Lucio Vanni in  the Cleveland suburb of Woodmere.

Immigration, racial tensions and women's equaility were some of the higher priority issues Wang considered before casting her ballot.

"A lot of people are thinking, 'You are the woman and you should just keep quiet. Stay home. Talk less.' But not me. I am a business woman in China and I'm here as the same."

When Wang checked in at her polling place, she was applauded for casting her first ever vote -- it's a tradition at the Lyndhurst Community Center on Election Day. 

Gabriel Kramer is a reporter/producer and the host of “NewsDepth,” Ideastream Public Media's news show for kids.