Butler County residents turn out in droves for critical Election Day
Residents swarmed Butler County’s 96 available polling locations beginning in the early morning hours on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Hundreds waited in line to cast their ballots in a weighty presidential election between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris.
“It almost feels like you have to,” Cranberry Township resident Christian Durban said of why he decided to make his way to the polls. “It feels like you’re disgracing the people who fought for this right if you choose not to express it.”
Paul Christmann works for the state and Cranberry Township as a constable to ensure security throughout the process.
While keeping the peace and waiting out the lengthy lines, he found it an optimal time to vote along with his daughter, Emma, a college student who voted for the first time.
“Really, it was just our freedom to vote, which is really nice,” he said of what motivated him and members of his family to vote. “I didn’t enjoy all the advertisements on television and radio. It’s nice to hear the different sides, but you know what you believe in, what you want to vote for and when you want changes. You just hope you vote for the right person.”
“It was really cool,” Emma Christmann said of casting her first vote. “I wasn’t planning on voting because I didn’t think I was educated enough on either party, but I did my research and decided that it was a good idea for me to come out and do my duty as a citizen.”
Like every presidential election year, the economy was one of the leading issues that drew voters to the polls en mass.
“The economy would be my top (issue),” Durban said.
“We’re in crazy times right now,” Cranberry Township resident John Neil said. “It’s always the economy and the security of the country. I could go on and on, but those are two right off the top of my head.”
Issues such as border security and a women’s right to choose were also at the top of peoples’ minds as they entered the voting booths.
“I would say women’s rights were No. 1 for me,” Jennifer Vickers-Bodnar said. “I just had some pretty strong feelings about what I expect and what I’d like to see happening down the road as far as how we operate.
“I always vote, though. I felt pretty strongly about who I felt would be the best candidate.”
One thing that most voters agreed on is that it’s going to be tight race.
“I just felt like it was an important year to cast your vote,” Laura Obyc said. “It’s going to be very close.”
