The District Office boasted a cold and professional interior on Election Day, November 5th, 2024. Voting Center signs directing eager voters through the doors with a bright “Vote Here” sign. People were fulfilling their civic duty by either dropping off their ballot or voting in person. People were bustling in and out of the glass doors in between lunch breaks and during their free time on Tuesday, casting their ballots and exercising their voting rights.
Truckee Times Reporters set off to the Nevada County Voting Center at the Tahoe Truckee School District Office. Essential questions were taken to the exit interviews:
When asked if this election is important, one voter said “Yes,” with the main importance being stated as the economy and that “A lot of young people need to get out and vote!”
But one of the most essential questions besides the obvious “Who” is, “how do Voters prepare themselves for voting in person?”
In today’s digital age, voters have numerous resources at their disposal to inform themselves about candidates and issues. But how do people prepare themselves for in-person voting? At the polls, voters were asked this and answers were across the board.
One voter who was dropping off her ballot said that when it comes to informing herself on the different proportions and candidates via reading the voter information packet, she does not pay any particular attention to news cycles.
In contrast, another voter cited The Wall Street Journal and X (formerly Twitter) as his main sources of political information. He emphasized that a candidate’s character is the most important factor in his decision-making process.
A third citizen shared that he comes to vote in person because it is fun for him. He informs himself by watching debates, ABC News and, “really anything other than Fox.”
Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to voter preparation. In our diverse democracy, citizens employ a variety of methods to inform themselves and shape their political opinions.
Furthermore, citizens exiting the DO shared advice and wisdom for first time voters, one stating, “I think about all issues at hand, not just ones that I care about,” when making decisions on the ballot.
When asked if there is anything specifically that inspired voters to exercise their duty on Tuesday one voter said simply, “Our Economy!”
The consensus among voters exiting on Tuesday afternoon was the concerns about the economy, inflation, climate change, the environment, women’s rights and healthcare topics. When interviewing people many expressed very vague answers or did not want to talk at all. The election this year contained a lot of pent up anxiety, emotion, fear, apprehension, and division which all contributed to the responses of citizens.
Those expressing vague answers depict many not wanting to open up on their views and speak on their beliefs. In a small town with a possible division of ideals and a very polarized political climate, privacy is expected and understood. The question of what direction our country is going in is on the ballot and what the future holds is up to the voters.
And as results were published early this morning, the looming question of what is next for Americans and the future of the country. What is our next step?
