102-year-old woman casts her first vote on Election Day

MONTECITO HEIGHTS, Calif. -- A 102-year-old woman in Montecito Heights cast her first vote ever on Election Day Tuesday. Guadalupe Portillo just became a U.S. citizen after living in this country for the past three decades.

"I'm happy, I'm happy," Portillo said in Spanish.

Portillo says her time in the booth was a dream come true. She hopes the younger Latino community takes notice, because she feels many of them don't vote because they've lost faith in the government.

She says she's proof-positive the system works.

Portillo moved to the U.S. from Mexico in the 1980s and became a citizen last year. She's waited and fought for almost 30 years to vote as an American.

"I feel bad for the children who are separated from their parents. They are suffering due to deportation," said Portillo.

Portillo is an advocate for immigration reform. She plans to use her right to vote to make a difference. She hopes Latinos around Southern California do the same.

"I want them to vote. They need to vote to be the majority and make a change," said Portillo.

Portillo's story was featured in the film documentary "American Dream."