Voters hope for unity after election matters decided
By Chris Fortune
With less than a week to go before Election Day, local voters are hopeful Americans across the country will accept the outcome of the Harris-Trump race regardless of who wins.
The last presidential election was not without controversy. Over the last few years, judges have punished hundreds of rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Local voters have different opinions about which candidate is better suited to lead the country, but they hope Americans will unite behind the next president.
“I’m hoping it’s a fair election, and whoever wins, you know, I think we should support whoever wins the presidency,” Bonnie Schwarting said. “But my view is I hope it’s Trump.”
Schwarting said that Americans should work toward coming together with common goals.
“This division is just so terrible that family and friends can’t even get together, you know, just free to talk politics,” she said. “That isn’t right because we’re all Americans.”
Halie Riggs said she voted for Kamala Harris, with women’s health care being among her top issues.
“I want everyone to take this in and get new feelings of new people, new candidates,” she said. “Do we really want the same guy that we’ve had already?”
Education was at the front of Rigg’s mind as well, since she has a child with special needs. She said Americans want to thrive without conflict to better the country, and everyone should be content even if their preferred candidate does not win.
“I’m hoping it will be a lot better and we will all be civilized about this,” she said. “And if your side doesn’t win, just take that as a loss.”
Dennis Weiser, another voter, said he believes most Americans will accept the election results, but he has concerns about each side of the political spectrum.
“I’m concerned about the far-right and far-left people,” Dennis Weiser said. “I think there will be some emotion and some controversy whichever way the election goes.”
No-excuse absentee voting will continue at the Buchanan County Courthouse until Monday. The courthouse will be open on Saturday for no-excuse absentee voters to cast a ballot from 8 a.m. until noon.
