Emily Gibbons of Cortland went to the polls Tuesday to help change the direction of democracy and human rights, not to focus on the economy.
Abortion and bail reform were the issues for Kathy Hall of Cortland. Taxes and inflation were important to Aaron Morehouse of Cortland.
As Cortland voters like Gibbons left their houses Tuesday, they were greeted with clear skies, and a chill that, though typical for this time of year, came in stark contrast to the record highs of the weekend prior.
“I think it’s been pretty much as expected so far, a little more turnout than some years,” said Tom Brown, a Cortland County elections commissioner. “We haven’t had any issues at the polls so far, it’s been pretty quiet, just people voting and going on their way.”
“I know people like to talk about the economy but that’s not really the reason I'm voting. I think either party could do good or bad things with the economy, but we need to protect our democracy, bodily rights and human rights first and foremost,” Gibbons said, holding her son, 4-year-old Seamus Beck, in her arm while standing near a polling location on Broadway Avenue.
“I’m just really concerned with the direction things are going with bodily autonomy, the environment, and democracy,” she said. “Election denial is scary and we really need to be aggressive about protecting women's rights and our children.”
“We need somebody better, and I’m going to vote to see who I think is better and we’ll go from there,” said Kathy Hall of Cortland, a block down from the New York State Armory on Wheeler Avenue, where she was heading to vote. “I’m here to vote on abortion and bail reform.”
“The new crime bill is a joke,” said Aaron Morehouse of Cortland after voting at the armory. “I think taxes, crime, and abortions are the biggest issues in this election. Pretty much everything has doubled at the grocery store and I want to vote towards changing that, too.”
“We’re getting taxed to death,” he said.
Other election coverage:
* Marc Molinaro and Josh Riley face off in the 19th Congressional District
* Lea Webb and Rich David compete in the state Senate's 51st District
* Propositions, municipal races and other items on the ballot
* The results, at a glance
