Issues from the economy to abortion drive Republicans and Democrats to the polls in Cuyahoga County
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cuyahoga County voters turned out in large numbers with very different viewpoints, but shared strong feelings about there being a lot at stake on Election Day Tuesday.
The health of the economy, abortion rights, and claims of election fraud and misinformation were some of the key divisive issues voters cited as they left the polls.
Abortion appeared to be the top issue for early-morning voters — particularly women — funneling through the polls at La Sagrada Familia church near Detroit-Shoreway’s Gordon Square, an area known for progressive politics.
Nicole Coury, a 24-year-old graduate student in social work, believes the Ohio legislature will renew its efforts to ban abortion after six weeks unless a permanent law now subject to a court case is enacted, affecting the most vulnerable female populations.
“We could see someone as young as 10 who could conceivably be forced to term, and that could hurt their body. That is my worst fear,” said Coury, who cited LGBTQ rights and the ability for trans people to access healthcare as other chief concerns driving her to the polls.
Other voters, however, suggested that the Biden Administration is unfairly blamed for the country’s financial woes.
“The economy is doing what it does — going up and down,” said David Myers, 63, a retired electrician and union worker, arguing the system is performing well if measured by spending. ”
For other voters it wasn’t any one issue that brought them out to vote, but a matter of backing the ideals of one party or the other.
“Our democracy is at risk under Joe Biden and the Democrats.
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cuyahoga County voters turned out in large numbers with very different viewpoints, but shared strong feelings about there being a lot at stake on Election Day Tuesday.The health of the economy, abortion rights , and claims of election fraud and misinformation were some of the key divisive issues voters cited as they left the polls.Abortion appeared to be the top issue for early-morning voters — particularly women — funneling through the polls at La Sagrada Familia church near Detroit-Shoreway’s Gordon Square, an area known for progressive politics.Nicole Coury, a 24-year-old graduate student in social work, believes the Ohio legislature will renew its efforts to ban abortion after six weeks unless a permanent law now subject to a court case is enacted, affecting the most vulnerable female populations.“We could see someone as young as 10 who could conceivably be forced to term, and that could hurt their body. That is my worst fear,” said Coury, who cited LGBTQ rights and the ability for trans people to access healthcare as other chief concerns driving her to the polls.Reproductive and LGBTQ rights are also the biggest issues for Kelly M., 46, who like some others interviewed asked that her full name not be used. She said her profession as a high school history teacher helps shape her perspective.The overturning of Roe “is less about abortion than about the culmination of decades of women’s struggle for recognition and status,” said Kelly, who entered the polls with a League of Women Voters guide. “Now we’re regressing. History is going in the wrong direction.”It wasn’t just women who cited abortion as a prime motivator for casting their ballot for Democrats. For Camilo Villa, a 34-year-old union organizer, reproductive rights go hand in hand with the labor movement.“If we’re going to build worker power and lift workers up, we need to elect candidates who keep abortion legal,” he said.Richard, a teacher in Strongsville, described himself as mostly liberal, said he didn’t feel right making a difficult choice for someone else. “It’s not my business to tell you what to do with your body,” he said. “When they say state’s rights, I’m like how about even better; how about individual’s rights?”
In Bay Village, Wendy Wheeler, a Democrat, came out in support of women and girls.
“I am here to support democracy and use my voice. I am here for the future of the young girls on our street.” Wheeler said.In Lakewood Olivia Rosborough said that in her view the judicial races for the common pleas court were some of the most important races with respect to abortion.“With our judges, they’re the ones that are going to be seeing a lot of the abortion cases right now. So that directly affects me. It directly affects my friends. It affects women everywhere. It affects men everywhere, everybody. And at a local level, it’s important to make sure we’re electing people to line up with our views.”In Lee-Miles, Tierrha M., 40, a community healthcare social worker who asked that her last name not be used, left the polls at the Frederick Douglas Recreation Center feeling anxious. She said her profession affords her an illuminating lens into the issue.“If you’ve been raped by your uncle and you’re 13, you don’t want his kid,” she said. “I like Mike DeWine but it’s time for him to go.”Although the majority of voters who cited abortion as an issue of importance said they were voting to protect a woman’s right to choose, that wasn’t the case for everyone. The issue brough conservative voters to the polls as well.“I’m here to vote for unborn babies. That would probably be my No. 1 issue.” said one anonymous woman in Bay Village.Inflation and the economy were issues of top importance for voters from both parties, in some cases even shifting the way some people vote.Ashley Pandoli, a 32-year-old bar manager, tends to vote Democrat, but this year she voted for a mix of Democrats and Republicans because of the current cost of living.“Inflation is crazy, and we don’t need to be paying more taxes than we should,” she said, citing the steeper price of daycare, groceries, car insurance and even T-shirts. “Democrats aren’t always for saving people money. I feel like we’re losing money.”The economy was also the main issue for Sidney Rose, 49, a Home Depot customer associate, who likewise voted for a blend of Democrats and Republicans, including incumbents DeWine for governor and Shontel Brown for congress.He hopes Republicans can drive down spending. “I go to Walmart, and everything has doubled in price, from cereal to cookies to wipes,” he said.
Other voters , however, suggested that the Biden Administration is unfairly blamed for the country’s financial woes.
“The economy is doing what it does — going up and down,” said David Myers, 63, a retired electrician and union worker, arguing the system is performing well if measured by spending. “There’s high demand for cars and housing. … You look at the news and you think we’re in a recession but we’re not.”June, a retired woman from Bay Village also felt that the country’s economic woes were being overplayed. “Things are really pretty good, and we have to go through a recession once in a while. The Republicans are overblowing the economy.”Across town, several voters at La Sagrada Familia church in Detroit-Shoreway echoed the idea that no single leader is at fault for the economy.“China’s closed, Ukraine’s at war, and there’s not a lot you can do,” reasoned Arthur Henke, a 32-year-old marketing professional.“People say it’s on Biden, and folks fall for that, but it’s more complicated,” said Aaron Muttillo, a 45-year-old psychologist who is voted to try to keep Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance out of office. “It takes more than two years to turn around a ship, and there are certainly global issues at play.”For other voters it wasn’t any one issue that brought them out to vote, but a matter of backing the ideals of one party or the other.“Our democracy is at risk under Joe Biden and the Democrats. I think it’s important that we elect people that respect our constitutional rights,” said Mary Alice Frank of Bay Village.“I believe in the right to life. I think the economy is a huge issue. I think that our rights are being taken away from us every day by the Democrats – freedom of speech, freedom of religion – you saw with the lockdown you couldn’t even go to Church!” Frank said, though Ohio’s lockdowns were issued by Repubulican Gov. DeWine.A young mother from Bay Village with three small children with her added: “I think we need a couple more Republicans up there to straighten things out, because I feel like our world is falling apart.” Democratic voters on the other hand, expressed concern that lies, and misinformation spread by Republicans were doing damage to the democratic process.“I want to end the chaos caused by the election deniers and liars. People should be free to vote. They should vote their conscience,” said John Brzytwa, a retired lawyer and veteran. “All the efforts by the Republicans to keep people from voting is unamerican and obnoxious.”For several voters, Donald Trump was so top-of-mind, you’d think his name was on the ballot. “I voted because I don’t want Trump back in office,” one resident of Lee-Miles said.“I’m more worried about Trump and people who follow him,” said Mike Zelenkofske, a 33-year-old real estate developer who is an Independent but voted Democrat Tuesday at his Detroit-Shoreway poll. “I’m concerned about election integrity and people claiming that he won an election he didn’t.”“I predict it will be very close, and that one side will not accept the results,” said Joseph Chubb, a 58-year-old IT business owner and Detroit-Shoreway resident. “My biggest fear is the repeat of Jan. 6, but on a smaller scale in individual states.”
