SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) – Tens of thousands of absentee voters cast their ballots before Election Day in Michigan but one man has a story that stands out for sheer strength of purpose to vote.

That’s the case for a local elderly man whose heart stopped while he was filling out his absentee ballot Monday.

The man was voting at the Southfield Township Clerk’s office and fortunately a registered nurse well-versed in giving CPR, was sitting nearby.

Ty Houston says he was shocked by what he heard after he brought the man back to life.

“He started to breathe and he took a couple of breaths and he wanted to know whether or not “I’m still here”, said Houston. ” And the next thing he said was “did I finish voting?”".

Houston says the mans word’s are a reminder that Americans should never take their right to vote for granted.

He says the man was taken to an area hospital and is expected to recover.