Pennsylvania voters drive out to cast ballots in high-stakes midterms
Residents across the country voted in advance of Tuesday's election, citing rising costs, political division, and concerns about the direction of the nation.
By Julia Wang ·
American voters cast ballots in the final days before the midterm elections to decide control of the Senate, the House, and state leadership posts during the last two years of Donald Trump's presidency. The election determines which party will hold legislative power through 2028.
Shane Dunn, a 65-year-old former cook living in Levittown, Pennsylvania, voted for the first time in his life. Dunn said he moved to the Philadelphia suburbs and felt compelled to participate after observing national events. He cast a ballot for Democrats.
Arthur Horner, a 59-year-old food importer in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, dropped off a mail ballot at the Dauphin County election bureau. His company has experienced financial losses due to tariffs. Horner described his vote as an attempt to slow what he called the madness in the country.
Elizabeth Marlett, a 61-year-old cattle rancher in Sioux City, Iowa, voted in Woodbury County's Prairie-style courthouse. Marlett cited issues including processed food chemicals, her son's difficulty obtaining veterans' benefits, and a perceived cultural shift. She voted for Republican candidates.
Linda Markle, a 72-year-old Democrat in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, expressed fear regarding the state of the nation. Markle stated that people no longer look out for one another and that division has become severe. She voted for Democrats.
Chris Smith, a 27-year-old software engineer in Harrisburg, voted for Republicans despite acknowledging that many people dislike the president. Smith cited the administration's efforts to return manufacturing to the United States and its fiscal responsibility compared to the Democratic Party.
Lori and David Wilkinson, a married couple from New Pittsburg, Ohio, identified as independents who voted for George W. Bush in the past. They described the current president as the worst in United States history. They feared the administration would react strongly if Democrats won a large share of seats. The couple voted for Republicans.
Samontae Mwangi, 20, and his brother Gathenya, 19, voted for the first time in Topeka, Kansas. They work at a plant that manufactures trackside buildings for railroads. Their grandfather, Lynn Henderson, a 68-year-old retired Goodyear worker and former Marine, accompanied them. Henderson wanted the experience to serve as a memory of his late mother. All three hoped for Democratic victories.
Denise Wunder, a retired sandwich shop manager, arrived at a voting center in a van with an eagle license plate. Wunder, a daughter of Democrats, cited illegal immigration as her top concern. She stated that the current administration was her last hope for the country. She voted for Republicans.
Frank and Joan Bark, a conservative couple in Henrico County, Virginia, expressed concern over the direction of the country. Frank Bark said he feared the president's ego affected decision-making but did not want decisions from the far left. Joan Bark noted that Democrats seemed focused primarily on hating the president. The couple voted for Republican candidates.
Primrose D. Sullivan, a nurse in Nanuet, New York, voted for Democrats. She rejected the idea that voters should act as if the president were on the ballot. Sullivan criticized wealthy business figures for seeking more power without helping humanity. She described the current political and corporate attitude as self-destructive.
Benjamin Updegraft, a former Republican who now identifies as a lifetime Democrat, voted in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Updegraft cited the throttling of Starlink satellite internet in Ukraine and an advertisement in Ohio's governor's race as reasons for his shift. He called for removing the stranglehold of powerful men on the reins of power. He voted for Democrats in the Senate race. David Lee, 63, in Scottsdale, Arizona, voted for Democrats in contested governor and House races. Lee criticized the administration's immigration enforcement as lawless and lacking due process. He said there were no more rules. David Stouffer, a 59-year-old mortgage bank manager in Harrisburg, voted for Republicans for the third time. Stouffer accepted higher gas prices resulting from the Iran war as a temporary cost to secure borders and implement tax cuts. He stated that he would continue driving to cope with the budget crunch.
