National elections often hinge on one critical issue. The 2008 Presidential Election and congressional elections have been driven by concerns for the economy. Sometimes the mass exposure of an issue like the economy can overshadow the truth that Americans have many issues on their mind when they go to the polls.
The polling place at South Hill Elementary School in Ithaca was fairly quiet at 3:00 this afternoon. After navigating the multitude of signs meant to direct voters (and keep out electioneers, loiterers, and honest journalists), I set up shop 100 feet away from the polls to unearth the issues weighing on voters minds.
The few people casting their ballots at South Hill had a variety of issues they felt were the key to how they voted. Education, the environment, and foreign policy all joined the economy as the number one issue on people’s minds. The sample size may not have been large, but clearly the voters in this district don’t fall into the one-track mind of economy only politics.
The video below summarizes my trip to the polling place and introduces some of the people who shared their number one political issue with me.
One note I feel that it is essential to mention, although it is not what I set out to discover. The election of a President this year was not the deciding factor for any voters coming out to vote at South Hill this afternoon. Voters answered that they always vote, regardless of the national election.
--Nate March
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