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‘I’m Here, and My Vote Matters’ Clinton vs. Trump: Voters Have Their Say on Election Day
(about 2 hours later)
Dispatches from across the country by New York Times journalists chronicling the thoughts and mood of American voters. This collection will be updated throughout Election Day. How are voters feeling? We sent more than two dozen New York Times reporters out across the country. They found resignation, enthusiasm, gloom, joy, fear and excitement.
Before dawn, with the lights of the Las Vegas Strip glittering in the clear desert sky, hundreds of members of the Culinary Workers Union poured into their hall next to the casinos, wearing red shirts emblazoned with two words that summed up their mission: DEFEAT TRUMP. HOUSTON — Kimberly Mace and Emilio Hernandez have never met, but their paths crossed at a polling place here, and they shared milestone: It was their first time voting.
In the swing state of Nevada, where elections often hinge on turning out the vote in Las Vegas, the union has the biggest and most powerful ground operation. The 57,000 members, mostly women and Spanish-speaking immigrants, are overwhelmingly motivated this year by their dislike of Donald J. Trump, with whom they have been in a union dispute for more than a year. Ms. Mace is 54. Mr. Hernandez is 18. She voted for Donald J, Trump. He voted for Hillary Clinton.
Mr. Hernandez called voting a big step. “It let me know I’m an adult,” he said.
Ms. Mace said she felt like crying in the voting booth, and tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke. “I don’t really know how to explain it,” she said. “It’s because I can do it” — MANNY FERNANDEZ
LAS VEGAS — Before dawn, with the lights of the Las Vegas Strip glittering in the clear desert sky, hundreds of members of the Culinary Workers Union poured into their hall next to the casinos, wearing red shirts emblazoned with two words that summed up their mission: DEFEAT TRUMP.
In the swing state of Nevada, where elections often hinge on turning out the vote in Las Vegas, the union has the biggest and most powerful ground operation. The 57,000 members, mostly women and Spanish-speaking immigrants, are overwhelmingly motivated this year by their dislike of Mr. Trump, with whom they have been in a union dispute for more than a year.
“For me this is a personal fight,” Geoconda Arguello, the leader of Local 226 here, shouted as she stood before more than 400 members as they prepared to spend the day knocking on doors and driving members to the polls. “I came from Nicaragua with nothing,” he said. “I came to this country because I knew it was where the law and people were respected. We’re not going to let Trump come and change it.” — DAVE PHILIPPS“For me this is a personal fight,” Geoconda Arguello, the leader of Local 226 here, shouted as she stood before more than 400 members as they prepared to spend the day knocking on doors and driving members to the polls. “I came from Nicaragua with nothing,” he said. “I came to this country because I knew it was where the law and people were respected. We’re not going to let Trump come and change it.” — DAVE PHILIPPS
Here in the most populous vote-by-mail county in the nation, the technology of sorting ballots, verifying signatures and recording votes was moving at a high-tech blur for two hours by the time Anjali Phillips grabbed her first box of envelopes. KING COUNTY, Wash. — Here in the most populous vote-by-mail county in the nation, the technology of sorting ballots, verifying signatures and recording votes was moving at a high-tech blur. Anjali Phillips is a temp worker in the bottleneck of the operation, where human touch still matters: She pulls each ballot from its envelope. The work is repetitive, to say the least, with the 100 openers going through 90,000 ballots on a busy day.
Ms. Phillips is a temp worker in the bottleneck of the operation, where human touch still matters: She pulls each ballot from its envelope. The work is repetitive, to say the least, with the 100 openers going through 90,000 ballots on a busy day.
“Your neck can hurt some, your knees can hurt, your back can hurt,” said Ms. Phillips.
But the work is also exciting in its way, she said, a glimpse at the voices of voters, recorded in the little black-ink ballot ovals. “It might not be interesting to other people,” Ms. Phillips said. “But I enjoy it,” she added. “It makes you appreciate the value of each vote.” — KIRK JOHNSONBut the work is also exciting in its way, she said, a glimpse at the voices of voters, recorded in the little black-ink ballot ovals. “It might not be interesting to other people,” Ms. Phillips said. “But I enjoy it,” she added. “It makes you appreciate the value of each vote.” — KIRK JOHNSON
11:58 | In the conservative suburbs south of Salt Lake City, Jared and Melanie Steere squished together on the sofa with their four kids to read from the Book of Mormon, had a breakfast of fresh-baked apple-carrot muffins, and then set out to send a rebuke to the Republican candidate for president. RIVERTON, Utah — In the conservative suburbs south of Salt Lake City, Jared and Melanie Steere squished together on the sofa with their four kids to read from the Book of Mormon, had a breakfast of fresh-baked apple-carrot muffins, and then set out to send a rebuke to the Republican candidate for president.
Many of the people who lined up to vote at the Riverton Senior Center on Tuesday were Trump supporters who had come around to the Republican nominee despite their misgivings about his tone and temperament. Mr. Steere, 41, had supported Republican candidates all his life – an old Bush sticker is on his high-school yearbook. But this year, the family’s home is adorned with four signs for Evan McMullin, a long-shot conservative independent running for president. His Mormon background and anti-Trump stance has given him a devoted following among many disenchanted Utah Republicans.
But the Steeres just couldn’t do it. Mr. Steere, 41, had supported Republican candidates all his life – an old Bush sticker is on his high-school yearbook. But this year, the family’s home is adorned with four signs for Evan McMullin, a long-shot conservative independent running for president. His Mormon background and anti-Trump stance has given him a devoted following among many disenchanted Utah Republicans.
“Technically I’m still a Republican — but I’m not,” Mr. Steere said as he stood outside his home on Tuesday morning. “This doesn’t look or feel like me anymore.” — JACK HEALY“Technically I’m still a Republican — but I’m not,” Mr. Steere said as he stood outside his home on Tuesday morning. “This doesn’t look or feel like me anymore.” — JACK HEALY
Leroy Caple woke up at 5 a.m. on Election Day in the Philadelphia recovery house where he has lived for the past four months, with a busy day of therapy sessions ahead. But Mr. Caple, 59, a disabled maintenance worker who has struggled with alcoholism for 32 years, has never missed an election, and he certainly wasn’t going to sit out this one – not with Donald J. Trump on the ballot. PHILADELPHIA — Leroy Caple woke up at 5 a.m. on Election Day in the Philadelphia recovery house where he has lived for the past four months, with a busy day of therapy sessions ahead. But Mr. Caple, 59, a disabled maintenance worker who has struggled with alcoholism for 32 years, has never missed an election, and he certainly wasn’t going to sit out this one – not with Mr. Trump on the ballot.
“I don’t like nothing he stands for,” Mr. Caple said.“I don’t like nothing he stands for,” Mr. Caple said.
Philadelphia is Clinton territory – there are seven times as many registered Democrats as Republicans here. Mantua, one of the most blighted neighborhoods in the city, is a tight-knit community on the other side of the railroad tracks from downtown. Dewayne Drummond, 36, the local Democratic ward leader, was at the polls early, handing out sample ballot cards with Hillary Clinton’s name on top. “It’s going to be like this all day,” he said, watching the line as it grew. Philadelphia is Clinton territory – there are seven times as many registered Democrats as Republicans here. Mantua, one of the most blighted neighborhoods in the city, is a tight-knit community on the other side of the railroad tracks from downtown. Dewayne Drummond, 36, the local Democratic ward leader, was at the polls early, handing out sample ballot cards with Mrs. Clinton’s name on top. “It’s going to be like this all day,” he said, watching the line as it grew.
So it was a surprise, at around 8 a.m. Tuesday, when a local man everyone calls “Bird” showed up with sample Republican ballots bearing Mr. Trump’s name. There was confusion, and a minor kerfuffle, as some voters threw the Trump ballots into the trash; one crumpled up her ballot and tossed it at the man, who gave up and left.So it was a surprise, at around 8 a.m. Tuesday, when a local man everyone calls “Bird” showed up with sample Republican ballots bearing Mr. Trump’s name. There was confusion, and a minor kerfuffle, as some voters threw the Trump ballots into the trash; one crumpled up her ballot and tossed it at the man, who gave up and left.
While there was enthusiasm for Mrs. Clinton among voters here, most were just plain relieved. “I just feel exhausted,” said Chelsea Lewis, 28, who came with her 8-year-old son. Mr. Caple, though, was feeling good. Through it all, Mr. Caple was feeling good.
“I’m wonderful,” he said after casting his ballot. “One hundred fifteen days without a drink. I’m here, and my vote matters.” — SHERYL GAY STOLBERG“I’m wonderful,” he said after casting his ballot. “One hundred fifteen days without a drink. I’m here, and my vote matters.” — SHERYL GAY STOLBERG
10:31 a.m.| For decades, Election Day was a time of mixed emotions for Myriam Marin, an engineer at a global company. She came to the United States 35 years ago from Argentina, and because she was not a citizen she never voted. She felt guilty. HOUSTON — For decades, Election Day was a time of mixed emotions for Myriam Marin, an engineer at a global company. She came to the United States 35 years ago from Argentina, and because she was not a citizen she never voted. She felt guilty.
“I didn’t become a citizen, by choice, until Obama,” Ms. Marin said. “I just wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to become a citizen just because it gave me certain benefits. I didn’t feel patriotic enough. I didn’t feel like I belonged here.”“I didn’t become a citizen, by choice, until Obama,” Ms. Marin said. “I just wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to become a citizen just because it gave me certain benefits. I didn’t feel patriotic enough. I didn’t feel like I belonged here.”
On Tuesday, after she voted for Mrs. Clinton, she said it felt good not to feel guilty on Election Day. But she also found it hard to feel the same patriotism she felt in 2008. “I had lots of terrible arguments with family and friends,” she said. “I think this whole thing was a mess.” — MANNY FERNANDEZ S she voted for Mrs. Clinton, and said later that said it felt good not to feel guilty on Election Day. But she also found it hard to feel the same patriotism she felt in 2008. “I had lots of terrible arguments with family and friends,” she said. “I think this whole thing was a mess.” — MANNY FERNANDEZ
8:29 a.m. | Robert Richardson walked out of a county government building in this small town east of Raleigh with his “I Voted” sticker, and its stylized American flag, affixed upside down on his camel-colored work coat. He put it on that way on purpose, he said, as a universal sign of distress. ZEBULON, N.C. — Robert Richardson walked out of a county government building in this small town east of Raleigh with his “I Voted” sticker, and its stylized American flag, affixed upside down on his camel-colored work coat. He put it on that way on purpose, he said, as a universal sign of distress.
Race relations in 2016, Mr. Richardson said, are “the worst I’ve ever seen them.” Muslim refugees, he said, are coming to the country “unvetted and uninoculated,” and he wondered if it was part of a Muslim plot to take over the world. He thought the billionaire activist George Soros might be inciting the violence at Trump rallies. Democrats like Donna Brazile seemed to be blatantly cheating this election season, he said.Race relations in 2016, Mr. Richardson said, are “the worst I’ve ever seen them.” Muslim refugees, he said, are coming to the country “unvetted and uninoculated,” and he wondered if it was part of a Muslim plot to take over the world. He thought the billionaire activist George Soros might be inciting the violence at Trump rallies. Democrats like Donna Brazile seemed to be blatantly cheating this election season, he said.
It felt as if the fix was in in America in 2016. “I think it’s already been rigged and the people out here’s been just going through the motions,” he said, nodding toward his polling place.It felt as if the fix was in in America in 2016. “I think it’s already been rigged and the people out here’s been just going through the motions,” he said, nodding toward his polling place.
But like millions of worried, anxious Americans, he voted. Mr. Richardson, 56, a white Southern Baptist, owned a flooring company for decades until the recession dried up the work. He closed it in 2010. He said he was a registered Democrat his whole life until this year, when he switched to the Republican party.But like millions of worried, anxious Americans, he voted. Mr. Richardson, 56, a white Southern Baptist, owned a flooring company for decades until the recession dried up the work. He closed it in 2010. He said he was a registered Democrat his whole life until this year, when he switched to the Republican party.
He voted for all of the Republicans on the ticket, including Mr. Trump. Political correctness, he said, and the Democrats’ focus on social issues — like whether transgender people should be allowed to use the bathroom of their choice, a big issue in North Carolina this year — seemed to him like a calculated diversion from matters of substance. And though Mr. Richardson had his reservations about Mr. Trump, he believed that as an unconventional candidate, he might shake the country out of its funk. He voted for all of the Republicans on the ticket, including Mr. Trump. Political correctness, he said, and the Democrats’ focus on social issues — like whether transgender people should be allowed to use the bathroom of their choice, a big issue in North Carolina this year — seemed to him like a calculated diversion from matters of substance.
“I think this will be our last chance to get somebody in there to shake it up enough to get people to pay attention,” he said. — RICHARD FAUSSET“I think this will be our last chance to get somebody in there to shake it up enough to get people to pay attention,” he said. — RICHARD FAUSSET
8:22 a.m. | Lissa Matson, a doctor, wanted to beat the crowds to the polls, so she arrived at the designated location — the gym of a technology school — a few minutes before polls opened at 7 a.m. PHILADELPHIA — Shakye Jones and Olivia Kirby, black women who are both 24, study public health at Drexel here. Both are Bernie Sanders backers, but they turned out for Mrs. Clinton.
So had at least 100 other people. “It’s trying to actually be happy about a woman, as opposed to thinking about what I don’t really want in a president,” Ms. Jones said.
“Thought I would be here before the crowd, but I guess not,” said Ms. Matson, and the woman in front of her in line turned around to empathize. Some of her friends were planning to stay home, which she finds outrageous. Voting, she said, “is something people died for.” — SHERYL GAY STOLBERG
“I’m anxious for change,” Paula Perry said brightly after casting her vote for Mr. Trump and other New Hampshire Republicans, including Senator Kelly Ayotte, who is in a tough re-election fight. she added: “I feel like there needs to be a rallying cry for the Republican party.” CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Several dozen people lined up early at the Coral Gables Public Library in a well-to-do suburb just south of Miami, some still debating whom to vote for. “I think it’s going to be one of those impulse things,” said Michael Lopez, a cybersecurity consultant.
— JESS BIDGOOD
8:05 a.m. | The cinnamon roll entrance poll is pointing to a big turnout in battleground Pennsylvania. The 40 dozen cinnamon rolls from Oram’s bakery for sale outside the voting booths here to raise money for the Harmony volunteer fire department were all gone.
The thoroughly unscientific, but delicious, poll suggests that Pennsylvanians, who reside in a fiercely fought-over state with limited early voting, could burst forth like a pent-up flood on Tuesday.
“At 5:45, a lady was waiting for us in the dark,” said Mark Vallecorsa, a volunteer firefighter who with his wife, Jodi, made the run to the bakery in Beaver Falls. A sign near the firehouse beckoned: “Oram’s famous cinnamon rolls. Get ’em on Election Day.” They were salad-plate-size rolls, with tangy cinnamon and a sweet, but not cloying glaze.
P.J. Shotter, who arrived at the fire department just after the last cinnamon roll sold out, clutching two dollar bills, was downcast. “This is my reward,” she said. “I’m used to getting my reward and going to vote.”
Harmony Township is west of Pittsburgh in Beaver County, a former crucible of American steel, where once-faithful Democrats are now flocking to Mr. Trump. Ms. Shotter said she still hadn’t made up her mind but was leaning toward Mrs. Clinton.
Both her sons, 18 and 23, were Trump supporters, she said. The household has been a battleground. “I like Hillary because she’s a caring individual,” she said. “Like I just told my younger son, she’s getting a bad rap, especially with the emails. It’s like a witch hunt.”
A volunteer packing up the cinnamon roll table took pity on Ms. Shotter. She handed one over from a private stash. The rolls were gone, but other culinary treats awaited voters along the Ohio River Valley. “Be sure to visit St. Titus Parish in Aliquippa,” Mr. Vallecorsa said. “They’re having an Election Day gnocchi dinner.” — TRIP GABRIEL
8:02 a.m. | Several dozen people lined up early at the Coral Gables Public Library in a well-to-do suburb just south of Miami, some still debating whom to vote for. “I think it’s going to be one of those impulse things,” said Michael Lopez, a cybersecurity consultant.
Lauren Meter said she had been undecided until Monday night. “I think a lot of people are going to vote for Trump but they don’t want to say,” she said. “Up until last night, I was going to throw my vote away and vote for a third-party candidate.”Lauren Meter said she had been undecided until Monday night. “I think a lot of people are going to vote for Trump but they don’t want to say,” she said. “Up until last night, I was going to throw my vote away and vote for a third-party candidate.”
Both declined to reveal their choice.Both declined to reveal their choice.
— FRANCES ROBLES— FRANCES ROBLES