DeKALB – NIU students and DeKalb residents offered their opinions about polling and voting in the 2022 midterm election at the closing polls at Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center.

Alannis Munoz, a senior political science major at NIU

Why did you vote? 

“I vote because these elections are the most important to me. It’s anything and anywhere that if you don’t like the turnout of any other election, you still have the opportunity to vote again, and it’s just important as a civic duty. I know that before my family wasn’t American citizens, I was the only one to do it. So I felt like it was, if I’m not voting, I’m going to vote for them.”

Did you have any difficulties voting? 

“I did not.”

Is this your first time voting? 

“No, I think this is my fourth time.”

What issues do you think are the most important this election? 

“I’m looking at DACA, reproductive rights, anything with immigration. COVID is still a thing, so anything with healthcare as well.”

Why are the midterms important? 

“Midterms are important because they delegate whether the house or senate is to the left or right, and that’s what can control some bills that are being introduced.”

Who did you vote for? 

“I voted for Lauren Underwood.”

Halle Hernandez, a first-year mechanical engineering major at NIU

Why did you vote? 

“I gotta. I’m one of the first eligible voters in my family. So, you know, I’ve got to step up and do it.”

Did you have any difficulties voting? 

“Waiting in line. My feet, you know, that’s it. Nothing with the whole ‘people getting set up,’ it’s just that I should’ve gotten comfier shoes. Y’know, maybe like a chair.”

Have you voted in the past? 

“Yes, just the one right before this.”

What issues do you think are the most important this election? 

“Getting the judges out, y’know what I mean?”

Why are midterms important? 

“Because it’s not one of the main elections, right? So, not a lot of people go, so you got to be that people, you got to be the people that do go year round, not just the main election years!”

Who did you vote for? 

“Let’s just say Democratic Party.”

Paul Shoemaker, a DeKalb resident

Were there any difficulties voting? 

“Not really.”

Why did you vote? 

“Because I feel like it’s a privilege and a responsibility.”

What issues do you think are the most important this election? 

“Probably just the economy, and crime is a big issue for sure.”

Have you voted before? 

“Yes.”

Why are midterms important? 

“I think midterms are important because it can set the stage for who is president.”  

Citlalli Zable, a first-year mechatronics engineering major at NIU

Why did you vote? 

“Just because I think it’s important to vote, and I’m here and just learning how to vote because it’s my first time. It’s okay to learn, I guess.”

Were there any difficulties voting? 

“Not at all, but I guess the only one thing would be knowing where I have to vote because it’s my first time.”

Why do you think midterms are important? 

“I think it’s important because it’s like, well who we’re putting in charge of our states and like, we have to see what they’re gonna do and stuff. So, just seeing how the future will be and who we’re electing, I guess.”

Destiny Duran, a sophomore sports management major at NIU

Why did you vote? 

“Because I feel like every vote counts, and I feel like it can make some type of difference.”

Were there any difficulties voting? 

“Other than the line, it wasn’t very difficult.”

Have you voted before? 

“No.”

What issues do you think are the most important this election? 

“Abortion rights, and I’d say LGBTQ stuff.”

Why are midterms important? 

“I feel like everyone needs to vote in them.”