Voters across America: Joyful, exhausted and anxious

The long and contentious presidential campaign came to a close as Americans cast ballots in middle schools, community centers and churches, in towns big and small.

By Reis Thebault, The Washington Post
Updated: November 6, 2024 Published: November 5, 2024

Ore Fawole, 20, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “I always knew that I was going to vote blue because the other option is not something that I can tolerate.” (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

From coast to coast, in big cities, small towns and everywhere in between, millions of Americans cast their ballots for the nation’s highest office on Tuesday after a fierce and frantic presidential campaign.

They queued up outside churches, filed into middle school gyms and waited their turn at community centers to make their voices heard during one of the most contentious and divided political moments in recent memory. Some were joyful, others exhausted and many were wracked with anxiety.

Georgie Stone, 78, Sanford, North Carolina. “I’ve never voted and never will.” Of the two candidates, she said: “Each time I see them on television, I turn it off.” (Tom Brenner for The Washington Post)

Washington Post journalists fanned out around the country to hear from voters across the political spectrum, whether they backed Vice President Kamala Harris, former president Donald Trump or chose to skip the race altogether. Here’s what some of them told us about this momentous election.

A.J. McLaurin, 24, Durham, North Carolina. “I don’t want to vote; I never have. … The politicians, they never did what they wanted to do. What they say doesn’t really happen.” (Tom Brenner for The Washington Post)

Diego Ochoa, 18, Mesa, Arizona. “I live in a family of immigrants, and I want to help them out because it’s really rough for them,” the first-time voter and Harris supporter said. “We don’t have a lot of money, and I want that to change.” (Anna Watts for The Washington Post)

Rebecca Earhart, 82, Austell, Georgia. Earhart, who has only missed two elections in the last six decades, wouldn’t say who she cast her ballot for this year, but she said voting is every American’s duty. “It’s always important to support the country,” she said. Laughing, she added that, if her candidate doesn’t win, “then I have the right to complain.” (Kendrick Brinson for The Washington Post)

Mark Bostic, 52, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A lifelong Democrat, Bostic voted for Harris. “I think she understands the economy a lot better,” he said. “I think she’s going to support unions. I’m also very concerned as an ally to women that she’ll be able to protect women’s health.” (Caroline Gutman for The Washington Post)

Declan Harrington, 18, Missoula, Montana. “I am pro-life,” he said shortly after casting a vote for every Republican on his ballot. “I don’t mind. I’m proud.” (Holly Pickett for The Washington Post)

Vicky Post, 72, Prescott, Arizona. “I made up my mind eight years ago. I voted for Trump because his policies line up with my beliefs, and I’m all about the policy.” (Anna Watts for The Washington Post)

Joan McKenny, 59, Austell, Georgia. “I weighed my options, I really did. I didn’t even finish my cup of coffee this morning because I was still weighing my options. I took everything I believe in to make this vote to today,” said McKenny, who wound up picking Harris. “I believe if I were to call her at 2 o’clock in the morning, she would answer the phone. I believe that she is for the people. And I need to feel that.” (Kendrick Brinson for The Washington Post)

J. Stephen Fisher, 77, Sanford, North Carolina. “There should be no such thing as a nonvoter. I’ve always been a Republican. I voted for Trump three times now. … We need to go backwards four years, back to where we were. This country was in good shape four years ago, and it’s screwed up now big time.” (Tom Brenner for The Washington Post)

Caleb Frandanisa, 27, Missoula, Montana. Frandanisa said he voted for Trump because the former president is “draining the swamp.” “We need to come together as U.S. citizens to solve problems,” he said. (Holly Pickett for The Washington Post)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT