GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The first four times Eleanor Pendley voted for president, she didn’t have the benefit of television. She relied on studying a candidate, reading the newspaper and listening to the radio.

Her first presidential election was for Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944; she hasn’t missed an election since. In fact, she recently voted early in the Municipal Super Tuesday in Orange Park for a seat on the town council, and she plans to participate in her 21st presidential General Election in 2024.

Pendley was one of 17 county residents at least 100 years old and participated in every election. Five attended a special ceremony hosted by Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless to acknowledge their contributions.

“One of the things our youth, unfortunately, believes is why is it important to vote? My vote doesn’t count,” he said. “I assure you, the only vote that doesn’t count is the one that’s not cast. You will never get your representation unless you get into the game.

“I am certainly encouraged by the individuals we recognize today.”

Pendley was joined by Claire Bryant, Winifred Mills, Margaret Walsh and Lila Williams. All received special boutonnieres donated by Park Avenue Florist and Gift Shop in Orange Park.

Now 101, Pendley said voting is “a privilege and a responsibility for each American to be involved in the process that we equate with our freedom and right to be heard.”

She also said she tries to know each candidate. “I keep track of them. I want to know what their interests are, what their public life is like. There are many things to have to take in,” she said.

Pendley said meeting Roosevelt made an impression.

“We traveled to the site of the Grand Coulee Dam (in Washington) to hear newly-elected President Franklin Roosevelt announce the building of the low dam,” she said. “My brother had been asked, or he volunteered, to meet the train to pick up Sen. (Clarence) Dill at the train when it arrived with him and President Roosevelt. It was a very big day for our family to travel from our farm to Grand Coulee for this occasion. I’m sure this affected my responsibility for being a voter and impressed on me what elected officials could do to change lives.”

Bryant, also 101, said the election she remembers the most was her first when she lived in Washington, D.C., and she voted for FDR.

“Vote in every election, not just in national elections,” Bryant said. “Local elections have more impact on you.”

Tuesday’s election will determine who wins the Orange Park Town Council seat and whether Keystone Heights will amend its city charter. Votes in Orange Park can be cast at Town Hall, while all ballots in Keystone Heights were submitted by mail.

Even at 101, Williams said her future depends on her vote. She also said her most-memorable presidential election was in 1960 when she got her first television.

Walsh, 101, had advice for younger voters, saying everyone should understand the Bill of Rights and the Constitution to understand how the republic works.