As dawn broke on a Saturday morning, Israel Eggerson, a young first time voter, joined the queue at Douglas County Election Commission office. He took his place, fourth in line, aware that his participation in the political process was not typical for people of his age or race. Eggerson, a black man, hails from the north side of Omaha, a region notorious for gang violence. This year, however, he felt an unprecedented call to action to make his way to the voting booth.
Fast forward to the late morning, and the line in front of the commission office extended into a nearby residential area, with hundreds of people patiently waiting for their turn. The crowd was an image of diversity, comprised of individuals from a range of ages, races, and walks of life. A young white couple strolled with their baby, an elderly black gentleman brought a folding chair for comfort, and an athletically built, white ex-marine chatted with group of young white women on his way back from voting.
These voters, lining up for their turn, echoed one sentiment: the extraordinary importance of this election. Laurie Ackerman, a nonprofit worker, observed the general mood and impression of voters as she waited in the queue. She stated that everyone was positive and excited, anticipating the power of casting their votes.
In the political landscape, Nebraska doesn’t often sway wildly in elections. However, due to several unique circumstances, this year’s election puts it in a notable position. Many are surprised at this shift, and depending on how this election unfolds, we might find the state maintaining its noticeable relevance in future political contexts.
The compelling Republican-Democrat dual between Trump and Harris was a significant motivation for many of the Nebraskan voters. Eggerson, for instance, opted to vote for Trump. His decision was driven mainly by issues related to the economy and immigration. Moreover, he felt he was unable to clearly comprehend what Harris represented in her political stance.
Contrastingly, Love and Margaret Carter, a mother-daughter duo, decided to cast their votes in favor of Harris and also supported Initiative 439, aimed towards widening access for abortions. For them, this year’s political decision was not only about choosing the President but also voicing their stance on women’s rights, which urged them to ensure they cast their vote.
Michael Karnash, a professional from the IT industry, now retired, confessed that he almost gave up on voting this year. Disturbed by the rampant name-calling and sweeping generalizations by both sides, he felt disheartened by the political discourse. Despite the negative air, he valued his right to vote so highly that he didn’t let the off-putting campaigning dissuade him.
Karnash revealed that he reluctantly voted for Harris, citing difficulty in deciphering true substance from her campaign speeches and promises. However, he felt compelled to partake in the democratic process nevertheless, settling on the option he saw as ‘the lesser of two evils’. This case illustrates that even if voters are not fully convinced by a candidate’s merits, they often still engage in the voting process out of a sense of civic duty and responsibility, weighing their options and making the choice they perceive to be the best available.