DeKALB– The weather was rainy and the scene was quiet at the polling places at Barsema Alumni and Visitor Center and Westminster Presbyterian Church on Tuesday morning.
BARSEMA ALUMNI AND VISITOR CENTER POLLING PLACE
Erin Barker, a sophomore journalism major, is a returning voter, previously voting in the 2020 general election.
“My first time voting was in 2020, so right when the pandemic happened. I remember everybody was distanced and it was a long line, and I still made a choice to have my voice heard,”, Barker said.
Barker said she appreciates the opportunity to vote.
“As messed up as this country is, we have the freedom and privilege to vote, and for women to vote to have our voices heard because not a lot of countries can do that,” Barker said.
Barker also reflected on the tense nature of this election and wanted to calm people’s fears about voting.
“It’s a really scary time, I hope no one gets hurt. I hope no one gets injured or anything, but intimidation doesn’t scare me at all,” Barker said.
Michelle Gutierrez, a junior political science major, described her experiences voting for the first time.
“There were no lines, it was just in and out. They were really helpful with directing where to go and what to do. I didn’t do the written one, I did the electronic one. It was pretty self-explanatory,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez explained what motivated her to vote as a political science major.
“It’s good to get out there to vote just to see what kind of an impact, especially for the younger generation, since we can vote now starting at 18, I feel like it’s really necessary to go out and vote,” Gutierrez said.
Isaac Arellano, a junior history major, had some difficulties at the polling place as it was his first time voting.
“They said I had to go to a different location to be able to register and vote,” Arellano said.
Arellano felt somewhat dismayed, but not too inconvenienced, as he could register to vote at a local Baptist church.
“It’s not too hard, just a five minute drive to go register to vote. Hopefully, it’s not a long line,” Arellano said.
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH POLLING PLACE
The crowd was not large enough to accumulate a waiting line, but enough voters came to the polls to keep the back parking lot half full throughout the morning.
Among the crowd was DeKalb resident Annie Kordesh, who was eager to make her selections.
“I’m a regular voter,” Kordesh said. “I never miss an election. I’m excited to vote!”
Kordesh urged others to come to the polls and make their voice heard.
“No matter what, they (potential voters) need to say what they need to say and be responsible for what’s going on around them,” Kordesh said. “Voting is part of that.”
The state of the economy brought some voters to the polls, such as DeKalb resident Nate Glass.
“I’m voting just because of the state we’re in, the country, tax-wise, inflation-wise, the economy – for the future,” Glass said.
Xavier Phillips, a junior business marketing major, said he came to the polls to help others.
“Usually I’m just not a person who votes, but, for me, it’s more of thinking about others instead of thinking about myself,” Phillips said. “So, that’s why I was like ‘you know what, I should voice my opinion.’ Even if nothing benefits me, it can definitely benefit other people.”
Phillips noted that it was an easy process to fill his ballot.
“When you walk in there, they’re always willing to help you figure everything out,” Phillips said. “So, it was super easy just to go in there and have them help you.”
