Burlington voters looking to fulfill duty and hoping for change

Burlington voters kept the parking lot of the Oak Street Baptist Church full as they flocked to cast their vote in the 2022 midterm election Tuesday morning.

While many declined to say who they voted for, those who talked to The Hawk Eye overwhelmingly cited a sense of duty and a strong desire to see the country move in a different direction as their reason for voting.

"It's an important part of being a United States citizen," said Lanis Sherwood when asked what brought him out to the polls.

"(All the issues) are important," Dan Meade said. "I don't need any special incentive to vote. I vote."

Becky Douglas cited the "runaway economy" as the issue that motivated her vote the most this year.

"It's just crazy and personally, I don't think either party is right," Douglas said. "I think we need a change. I think they're so busy fighting against each other that they're not fighting for us anymore."

More:Who's on my ballot in the Iowa 2022 midterm election?

Out of the dozens of voters interviewed, only a few shared which party or candidates they voted for.

"I've always voted Democrat," Meade said. "I can't remember the last time I voted for one of those stupid Republicans (laughing)."

Patty Penrot said she wanted to see a change for the better, but noted she was a supporter of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican.

"I think she did well during a lot of the COVID (pandemic) and with everything else," Penrot said.

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Other voters indicated they split their tickets, saying there where some candidates outside the party they normally vote for that they felt where the better person for the job.

Zach Christie was one voter who said he didn't vote exclusively for one political party.

"Not to use a stereotypical answer, but it's time for a different kind of change," Christie said.

Megan Brincks said she votes mostly for Democrats but said she is open to voting for candidates from different parties.

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"I think it's extremely important, especially now more than ever, to actually research each candidate, not just party-line vote," Brincks said. "For this election, most of the people I voted for were Democrats, just based off their political platforms."

Among the issues Burlington voters said where most important to them were the economy and inflation, the Second Amendment, health care, abortion rights and education.

"I'm a big proponent of a woman's right to choose," Brincks said. "So, I came out to the polls to hopefully help that and make sure that fundamental right stays and isn't taken away from us."

Alex Cushman said public education was the biggest of the issue on her mind when she cast her vote Tuesday.

"That's something I believe in and something I want to vote for," Cushman said of educational issues. "(I came) to vote for people, hopefully, that are going to support (education)."

Mike King said the proposed amendment to Iowa's constitution about gun laws was the issue of most concern to him on the ballot.

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"(It) means something to me that you have that right," King said. "I think you should vote one way or the other on (the amendment), and I voted 'yes.'"

When asked how they felt about the chances of their preferred candidates, most said they were feeling positive.

"I feel like the more time that goes on, the more elections I am able to partake in, the more people do care about voting. It is good, because sitting around doing nothing changes nothing," Cushman said. "So, I am hopeful."

Other voters recognized that 2022 might not be their candidates' year.

"No, I'm not feeling good," Douglas said of her optimism for the candidates she voted for. "I got a bad feeling. I may need to start stocking up on supplies and hunkering down."

"I'm nervous," Meade said of his choice in candidates. "But I'll just take whatever comes. That's the way (elections) are set up."

More:Most Iowa voters view control of Congress as a critical issue this election, Iowa Poll says

The majority of voters that spoke to The Hawk Eye said that, regardless of the outcome, they did their part and were ready for whatever direction the results of the election takes the Burlington community and the rest of the country.

"I don't know that my vote is going to make a difference, but hopefully we can come together as a nation," Douglas said.

"I'll still be going to work," Christie said.

This article originally appeared on The Hawk Eye: Burlington voters hoping for change this midterm election