Voters in Kent encourage people to vote for midterms

Voters in the City of Kent, Ohio, talk about why voting matters, even during non-presidential elections. The people of Kent who were willing to speak also shared what they currently care about in their community…

By Lucy Connolly 

Audio Story By Raygene English

 

A weekend in the city of Kent is never dull, bringing the community out to celebrate. September offered a calendar full of events to fill businesses and the city with people, one of these being music under the pavilion on Main Street. People were gathering outside and down streets to enjoy some good music and atmosphere. 

Robert Shearer and Roy Williams were among those listening to Kent Rocks, an event put on by Main Street Kent, and having a drink outside Last Exit Books and Coffeehouse. 

The men had an obvious age difference and demeanor about themselves, but this was not where the differences ended. They each hold and conveyed different political views, with Williams, 61, saying, “Oh, we have completely opposite views, I’m a Democrat and he is strictly Republican.”

Shearer, 75, has lived in the area all but 20 years of his life. He said he tries to vote at every election since he has the opportunity to do so. 

“Once I graduated high school, I was young and I realized I couldn’t vote until I was 21,” Shearer said. “When you’re in the military, you don’t always get a chance to vote overseas.”  

Shearer said he followed the Democratic party during that time, but there came a point where he changed parties. 

“I was a die-hard Democrat, well, I guess I just wasn’t fond of Nixon.” Shearer said, “I was overseas when Gerald Ford became president, and Ford just sat right with me. He was my president.”

Shearer said he does not enjoy inflation with the continuous rising prices and corresponded the rates with President Joe Biden who he said he was not a fan of.

 

 

Sitting across the table, Williams said he likes to volunteer his time for causes he supports, one being the Democratic party.  

As a former teacher, he also likes to volunteer his time with the schools. Williams said he had a lot of opinions on the teacher shortages and school issues. 

“The state of Ohio, its funding has been declared unconstitutional for well over 20 years, and the state legislature has not done anything because they’re reliant on property tax,” Williams said. “It promotes inequity because wealthier districts have better schools than poor. And it’s never been addressed.”

Williams said the state could set a higher minimum but believes the method of funding Ohio’s public schools is unconstitutional.

Shearer, on the other hand, mentioned what he felt schools in the area needed was the “gun girl” Kaitlin Bennett. He said he likes what she stands for and appreciates the work she puts in to advocate to the schools.

Williams said he was also upset with the Senate in the state of Ohio, specifically with Larry Householder, the former speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives.

The leader was indicted and is awaiting trial, Williams said. “FirstEnergy Corporation gave $60 million so I mean, that is coming up.”

There is no specific reason as to why he is voting in this election, Williams said, because he doesn’t believe he ever missed one. He said it didn’t matter what was on the ballot and that he will vote in every election. 

Shearer said he thinks it is important to vote, especially if you are given the privilege. He said he does not think anyone should be able to complain if they do not decide to vote.

 “I think people should vote, and I don’t think you should be upset about whatever if you chose not to vote,” Shearer said. “It really is the only thing you have right now that you can do.”

Williams said he agreed with Shearer that people need to vote and should not be mad about issues if they don’t. He said it is important to stay educated and not be gaslighted by the media. 

“There’s more to democracy than voting, but it’s an important aspect of democracy,” Williams said. “I would ask people to be informed, and I know that people have limits on their time and it’s difficult, but especially with social media and TV, it’s more entertainment than education.”