Ohio Voters are Discouraged this Midterm Election

 

 

The midterm elections occur on November 8, 2022. Ohio voters are able to vote early from October 12 to November 7. The voting registration deadline ends on October 11, 2022. Absentee voters can request ballots by November 5 and return by November 7 or in person on November 8. All polling locations in Ohio close at 7:30 p.m. on November 8, 2022.

 

Some of the larger candidate races on this year’s ballot include the place as Governor, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House.

 

Voters in the Portage County area are able to vote at multiple polling locations spread across each township. 

 

A large percentage of Portage County residents reside with the Democratic party alongside the Northern part of Ohio like Cleveland. However, most Ohio voters are affiliated with the Republican party in the 2022 midterm elections.

 

At the Kent United Church of Christ, voters from the surrounding area to place their votes on the midterm ballots. 

 

However, voters have become discouraged with how their votes actually affect the government and changes candidates have promised to make. 

 

Laken Anderson, a Democratic voter, expresses that she does not think her impact of voting plays a large role in the process. 

 

“I don’t think I have too much of an impact in change and more of an impact in maintenance,” Anderson says. 

 

Another Democratic voter, Audrey Safford, repeats a similar statement in feeling that voting does not necessarily promote future change.

 

“ I feel that my impact is so little, it is easy to feel like it’s pointless and I think when I was a new voter I felt that nobody would care if I didn’t make it out,” Safford says.   “ I don’t think it affects very much but at the same time if everyone has that mindset then nobody will be voting.” 

 

Although some voters find that it is difficult to believe their voice matters, they have expressed that it is still an important civil duty to be able to have someone listen to what the people want. 

 

Jeff Braden, a voter who finds himself in the middle of both Democratic and Republican parties says he thinks it is very important to get his voice heard and fully believe in the system.

 

“I think a total flip of the system needs to happen but I doubt any of the changes I want to see will happen,” Braden exclaims. “ I think the world is heading toward a place where we need to work collectively as a species but I feel that I need to do my part to see good changes.” 

 

Ben Langstaff, a Republican voter, says he wants his voice to be heard to make changes from the most recent election in 2020. He hopes his vote will allow the cost of living to be reduced anywhere from taxes, to medical supplies. 

 

“I think that it is really important that everyone gets out and votes because then if you have a voice it will be heard in your vote,” Langstaff says. “Any impact would be important for voting, not just mine, anyone that comes out and votes to change whoever will be winning or losing.”

 

Portage County voters express that although they feel their vote does not have a large influence on the results of the elections, many of them say it is important to have their voices heard to be able to see progress in the future.