The midterm election attracted an unprecedented amount of money and attention to Georgia. As metro Atlantans went to the polls Tuesday, they told us what inspired them to vote.
Amanda Lee, 30
Smyrna
“I don’t really care for the vitriol and the dehumanizing of each political party.”
Edwin Moses, 63
Brookhaven
“The atmosphere in the U.S. is quite distressing, the hatefulness that’s permeating our country right now. We need a new look from a governance point of view.”
Sonam Ranani, 26
Atlanta
“Definitely just coming out and making a change. I’m making sure my voice is heard. I’m really glad there’s a voice and we’re making a stand.”
Lori Phillips, 34
Decatur
Phillips moved to Georgia about four years ago and usually doesn’t vote in midterm elections, but she’s decided that “local elections are more important than the presidential ones.”
Matthew Mitcham, 22
Locust Grove
The self-described news junkie said there was no single issue that stood out for him, but that voting is not something available to everyone around the world and that we should appreciate that. “I’m very patriotic. I think every citizen should vote.”
Cherice Burks, 37
Lilburn
“Hopefully we can do something about health insurance here in Georgia. It’s too expensive.”
Doc Schneider, 64
Brookhaven
“It’s important for people to participate. Our Our country is a divided country. … Whether you’re on either side of the equation, I think you ought to come out today and say so.”
Tony Charles, 40
Marietta
“My ancestors died for it. At the end of the day, I think that we need to remove all forms of divisiveness in politics in general. We need to all come together.”
Nate Kristy, 42
Unincorporated DeKalb County
“I want to demonstrate to my kids how to carry out my civic duty. I am from the D.C. area, the child of government employees, so the obligation to vote, to serve on a jury, those things are ingrained in me.”
Hanna McMillan, 18
Locust Grove
It was the 18-year-old’s first time casting a vote. She was inspired to vote because of her advanced-placement government class in which her teacher had emphasized the importance of voting and had been counting down the days to the midterm election. “Just him talking about it all the time and bringing it to our attention” prompted her to vote for the first time, she said.
Hank Williams, 56
Marietta
“It’s a very important, historic race in Georgia. I think health care is really pretty much the big issue to me.”
Mary Jane Polizzotto
Lilburn
“I really feel like we’re at a tipping point. I feel like I needed to come out,” said Polizzotto, who said she favors limited government. “I don’t like the direction we’re going in.”
Kayla Wright, 24
Smyrna
“You have to (vote); I feel obligated.”
Rachel Weitz
Dunwoody
“I voted because I wanted to support candidates who will make this state a great place for my children to live. My biggest issues were education and the economy.”
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