Immigrant From Guyana Casts His First Vote In Nashville On Tuesday

By Dulce Torres Guzman, Tennessee Lookout

November 8, 2022

Geodwyn Murehy, an immigrant from Guyana, was excited to vote for the first time in a U.S. election.

Murehy moved from the South American nation to the U.S. in 2011 and had always dreamed of becoming an American citizen.

“I want a better life for myself and my kids,” he said.

But navigating the U.S. immigration system was difficult, and Murehy struggled with paperwork until he received help from immigrant rights advocates at Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, which provides free legal services for immigrants who reside in Davidson County aided, in part, by almost $2 million in funding from Metro Nashville.

In September, Murehy officially became an American citizen.

“I can tour the world now,” he said.

On Election Day, Murehy took time off of work at Island Vibes, a Caribbean restaurant, and hitch a ride with a friend. By that afternoon, Murehy had returned to work and proudly displayed his “I voted” sticker on his chest.

“America is a place that I love,” he said.

He now plans to participate in each U.S. election, especially local elections, to exercise his newfound civic duty.

“If you can go out and vote to change things, why not do it?” he asked.

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