Grinnell residents are casting their votes today, Nov. 5, for a variety of federal, state and local elections. The S&B spoke with voters regarding which candidates they chose, and why.
“I think this is the day Trump sympathizers will be cooked,” Dylan Mullen, 30, said. An Iowa Poll released Saturday, which had Kamala Harris (D) ahead of Donald Trump (R) in Iowa by three percentage points (47-44), has voters and political pundits speculating about whether Iowa could go blue.
“When I had any doubt, I just voted for all of the women because I feel there needs to be more women in politics,” Roy Marshall, 55, said of his decision to vote for Harris. “I’m African American… I have a lot of contentions with Donald Trump and don’t believe what he preaches,” Demi Oni `27 said. “I’d be very proud to see another Black person be president.”
Harris voters frequently mentioned issues such as reproductive rights, treatment of immigrants and a personal distrust of Trump, whereas Trump voters frequently mentioned issues such as the economy, border security and gun control.
“The shape the country is in right now, the economy, the illegals — I need a president who will be strong in the world,” Kay Belleau, 81, said of her decision to vote for Trump. “Economically I think [Trump] would be the most beneficial. And war, I think what he would do for war would be very beneficial for the world,” said Sam Simon, 18.
Some voters said they cast split tickets instead of sticking to party lines — or strayed from their party identification entirely when voting. Chris Ely, 57, voted for Kamala Harris for president, Ashley Hinson (R) for Iowa’s Second Congressional District, Dean Fisher (R) for House District 53 and Diana Dawley (D) for County Supervisor. Ely, an independent, said his main issues were abortion and the economy.
Gloria Peebels, a 68-year-old Republican, voted for Kamala Harris. “I don’t like how Mr. Trump treats people,” she said.
“I voted Democrat in the last election too even though I’m a Republican,” Dave Nevins, 50, said. “I don’t like the direction the Republican Party is going.”
When asked about local races, voters most commonly mentioned House District 53, where Tommy Hexter (D) is attempting to unseat incumbent Dean Fisher (R). Several voters stated they were voting for Hexter because of his positions on farming, education and the environment. Fisher voters cited his experience holding office as appealing.
Kayla Kelly, 32, voted for Tommy Hexter. “I work for the AEA [Area Education Agencies] and I reached out to Dean Fisher personally when Governor Reynolds tried to change her legislation to dismember us, and I got no response,” Kelly said of her decision to vote for Hexter. “I like that he [Hexter] is for education and against the vouchers set in place.”
“I voted for Tommy Hexter. He came to my school,” said Cameron Thompson, an 18-year-old student at Grinnell High School. “I love him. He’s the only politician I don’t hate.”
“More experience,” Jarel Walters, 56, said about voting for Fisher. “Tommy Hexter’s not that old.”
“I’ve never had an issue with him [Fisher] before,” said Teresa Miller, 60.
Regardless of political affiliation, voters expressed anxiety about the outcome.
“As soon as you get out you’re just like, it’s over,” Hannah Kauffman, 29, said about how she felt after voting for Harris. “I kinda just dropped it at the door.”
“I feel like if it doesn’t go right, I think it’s probably the last [election]. I think the country is in trouble right now,” Robert Lloyd, a 92-year-old Trump voter, said.
Polls close at 8 p.m. The S&B will continue to update online as results are announced.
Contributed reporting by Alex Carlon, Asha Kulkarni, Bea Crist, Carrie Little, Eliza Cline, Isaiah Moliga-Puletasi, Marc Duebener, Meilynn Smith, Natalie Ng, Nora Kohnhorst, Owen Barbato, Thai Theodoro, and Zach Spindler-Krage.
