Throughout Election Day, thousands of voters in the city of Auburn and Lee County at large will cast their votes in the 2024 presidential election. All are using their right to vote, but each brings a distinct reasoning, perspective and motivation to their ballot.
At a polling location in Auburn shortly after voting, first-time voter Kaleb Kirkland said it was easy for him to choose a presidential candidate to cast his ballot for. He made up his mind “fairly early on in the election.” He said he payed attention to the media and after watching the first debate between Trump and Biden, he knew where his vote would go.
For Kirkland, it was the economic policy of each political candidate that solidified his vote. He said that the Trump campaign has better economic policies "that help families and the economy as a whole."
Retired physician Patricia Williams said she had her mind made up from the very beginning of who she wanted to vote for, basing her decision on the character and policies of the candidates.
“I wanted someone ethical and principled and that would surround themselves by very smart people, and would preserve all the democracy,” Williams said.
Williams mentioned that her decision was not swayed by the media or watching any broadcasts of campaigning or debates.
“I don’t watch television. I do read some newspapers. Well, I’ve had occasion where I like to watch 60 Minutes, so I’ve seen campaign ads," Williams said. "And I’ve wondered, my biggest question is, 'why in this country are the candidates not required to be factual to the truth?'"
Husband and wife Jason and Cassie Tolbert drove to the poll together on Election Day. Cassie is self-employed as an interior designer, and Jason is a salesman in Auburn. Both said it was easy for them to decide who to vote for. Jason said he knew from “day one.”
“[I knew] before it even started. Well, it was hard to know who I was going to vote for since we didn’t know who the candidate was going to be on one side. But regardless of who it was going to be, my mind was made up,” Jason said.
Cassie said she was “not really” influenced by the media or televised debates, and Jason said he was “not at all” swayed.
Voting in Alabama via mail-in ballot requires an excuse to do so. Most voters in the state will vote in person on Election Day, and the results are expected to be counted quickly after the polls close. In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump won 62% of the votes cast in Alabama.
Polls will be open until 7 p.m. local time tonight, so voters still have several hours to cast a ballot in what has emerged as one of the most important presidential elections. Each ballot is an opportunity to put their perspective into action and make their voices heard.
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Sami Grace Donnelly, senior in English literature, began writing for the Plainsman in the fall of 2021. She has served as a columnist, writer abroad, Opinion Editor, managing editor and is now Editor-in-Chief of the Plainsman.
