Why Should Delaware Care?
This cycle’s presidential election is considered one of the most consequential elections in history. The feedback from today’s voters can help influence how candidates think about issues once they’re in office.
While nearly a fifth of voters in Delaware cast their ballots before Election Day, tens of thousands of voters still went to the polls on a brisk Tuesday morning to determine the outcome of the 2024 General Election. Spotlight Delaware spoke to voters statewide who made it clear that presidential politics were at the forefront of their minds.
Within the past month, both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have made last campaign efforts to draw in voters. On Monday, Harris made a final stop in Delaware’s northern neighbor, Pennsylvania while Trump campaigned in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Although both parties’ campaigns have certainly made themselves heard, some Delawarean voters noticed a clear divide throughout the country.
Outlets nationwide have examined how much time was spent attacking the opposing side during the presidential debates — and voters noticed the candidates’ behavior too.
Kim Davis, who voted for Trump, said what surprised her the most about this election season was that she did not see either candidate really discuss their policies and how they would perform once in office.
“What I did hear is them bickering to each other and not really talk about the politics. Like third-grade schoolers,” Davis said.
Some voters who preferred not to disclose who they voted for, like Melissa Nassar of Rehoboth, emphasized that their fellow voters should focus on “decency, integrity, humanity, and character” this election season.
Others believed that certain parties have brought too much political divide in the past presidencies.
When Keith and Andrea Coleman left P.S. du Pont Middle School, they said they were motivated to go to the polls because of the presidential election, and said that Trump brought “too much hatred.”
Keith also expressed concern that a Trump victory would reflect poorly on the entire country, including himself, as he doesn’t want to be associated with Trump’s rhetoric.
“God put us on here to help one another,” he said.
Delaware also had important local races in this election, like a U.S. Senator and House of Representatives seat. Voters seemed less worried about these races, and some expressed they were voting with their party, all the way down the line.
When Spotlight Delaware asked who Gov. John Carney’s top choice was to replace him as Delaware’s top elected official, he said “Obviously, I’m a Democrat, so I voted for the Democrat,” referring to New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer.
Abortion, women’s rights concerns throughout state
Delaware has codified protections for abortion access into state law, but many voters still cited it as a reason for going to the polls today.
Some voters like Maurice Watts said protection for people’s rights over their own bodies was a main concern for them this election season.
“So many things in life could change, so many things in life could happen to you, and to tell somebody what to do, it’s not your position, no matter how much power you have,” Watts said.
Sherry Palese voted for Kamala Harris because she believes in issues like women’s rights, protecting the environment, Social Security and Medicare. She also said she is “afraid of the alternative” outcome of the election.
Some women came out in groups to vote, like Robin Ehrich, Nancy Pote, Meg McHugh, and Lynne Davis of Hockessin. Each voted today because of issues like women’s rights and the right to reproductive healthcare, along with foreign affairs and “upholding democracy.”
Voters have also said they’re taking their own rights into account when voting.
Lo Tibbets believes voting is crucial for American citizens, seeing it as a privilege and an opportunity to have a voice in the country’s future.
“Being a sexual minority, I think I care a lot about what my rights will be moving forward in the future,” Tibbets said. “It could be a little scary, especially as a woman as well.”
Immigration, border control on minds
Some voters labeled immigration as being one of the main issues that brought them out to vote today.
“We want this country back in shape,” said Jeannie Berkeridge of Delmar, who voted for Trump.
In Rehoboth Beach, Mary Ellen Raden and Allan Atzrott shared that they backed Republican candidates and that their top concerns included the economy and border security.
“The things that they care about, we care about,” Raden said.
Robert Gough, another resident of Rehoboth Beach, voted for Trump and expressed concerns about the economy, border control, foreign policy and crime.
“I think he has demonstrated previously his policies and what he will do. They were good for the country, and I do not support the agenda that Kamala Harris stands for, even though she won’t say what it is,” he said.
These issues weren’t just voiced by those who voted for Trump.
David, Highgerger, who expressed a lukewarm support for Harris, said he was concerned about Trump’s immigration policies, including his rhetoric on mass deportation.
“[Trump] pays no attention to the fact that most illegal immigrants pay taxes, but don’t get anything in return from taxes,” he said.
Some voters also said they were concerned about the country’s state of affairs, which John Smoluk said he believes are deliberately created by the Democratic Party.
“I really think it’s important that the Republicans win very large with this election,” he said.
Voting to be seen
Many voters came out in hopes of being better represented by the future president, in terms of how they’ll handle issues like the economy or based on their identity.
As a small business owner, Asia Taylor came to the polls because she feels Harris will ensure that there’s support for people like her.
Many parents and guardians brought their children with them to the polls today to get their first experience with democracy before they’re eligible to vote.
April Quail of New Castle voted Democrat all down the line. When asked what motivated her to vote this year, she pointed toward her young son, who had watched his mom make her choices on a machine within a voting booth.
Some women are hoping to see themselves reflected in the government through Harris, who they believe will be the first female president.
Lisa Kein brought her young daughter to the polls for that very reason, and she wanted her daughter to “see the process very early and just kind of see how everything works,” she said.
Reporters Karl Baker, Jose Ignacio Castaneda Perez, Brianna Hill and Nick Stonesifer contributed to this story.
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