Liam Halawith | 6:30 p.m.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA —Don Moore, 63, of Atlanta, is a lifelong Republican and said that he supports Donald Trump because he supports his conservative beliefs.
Moore said the top issues for him are the economy and immigration, and he wants Trump to reverse what has been done over the last four years.
“I’m not so crazy about him as the man, but I’m a Republican, and I like conservative values,” Moore said. “I like capitalism over socialism, and I just think we’ve gone to a hell in a handbasket these last four years, and I’m hoping he can straighten it back up.”
Maddie Schuler | 6:33 p.m.
First-year students at the UI, Ava Meier and Sophia Santos, were among the many voters whose top issue was women’s reproductive rights, which led them both of them to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Meier and Santos both believe women should have the right for access to abortions despite the fact if they do or do not have one.
The future of the economy was another reason why Meier voted for Harris.
“I looked at their plans for the economy, and Harris’s over Trump’s, there wouldn’t be much of a change, whereas with his, the debt would be so bad,” Meier said.
Trump’s past history also led Santos to vote for Harris.
“I just didn’t want a felon to be my new president,” Santos said.
Liam Halawith | 6:30 p.m.
MABLETON, GEORGIA — Courtney Collins, 28, of Mableton, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, said she is voting for Kamala Harris because she supports reproductive rights and access to abortion.
Collins said she had to have emergency surgery when she was pregnant and that she would have died if it had not been for the protection of Roe v. Wade at the time.
“Honestly, because I thought read project 2025, I don’t agree with anything Trump has going on at all,” Collins said. “And especially for me, being a female and a mother that little portion of abortion rights and everything like that, that really just made me lean to her.”
Maddie Schuler | 6:27 p.m.
Mallory Ames and Maya Hardman, both 18-year-old first-years from Cedar Falls, spoke about their experiences as first-time voters and recognized its importance.
“We decided to vote today because it’s our first election where we’re able to vote,” Ames said. “I know how important it is for everyone to vote, although it may not seem super important, but I feel like everyone’s voice matters.”
Both Ames and Hardman identified as Democrats and voted for Vice President Kamala Harris because of her stance on women’s reproductive rights, environmental issues, and overall conduct.
Maddie Schuler | 6:16 p.m.
Lillian Wahl, a first-year student at the UI, was encouraged by her parents to vote, especially since this was her first time being able to cast a ballot.
“My parents were really encouraging me to [vote] — it has a point and [her vote] will matter,” Wahl said.
The top issue for Wahl was abortion access, with candidates’ views on the matter being a significant factor in her decision.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s discussions on abortion and advocacy for gay marriage ultimately led Wahl to cast her vote for Harris.
Maddie Schuler | 6:01 p.m.
As voting polls around Iowa City are reaching closing time, lines to cast ballots began to dwindle at the Petersen Residence Hall located on the University of Iowa’s campus.
Makayla Vogt, a first-year graduate student at the UI, initially leaned toward voting for third party candidate Claudia de la Cruz but, after suspecting a close race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, she chose to vote for Harris.
Harris’s views on the Israel-Hamas war and women’s reproductive rights also led Vogt to vote for Harris.
“[Harris] is starting to talk about at least wanting to end the genocide happening in Gaza,” Vogt said. “She’s got a lot more, I would say, like, rational beliefs, than [Trump] does, because he wants to ban everything with women’s rights.”
Mia O’Connor-Walker | 5:33 p.m.
John Pope, a 21-year-old fourth-year UI student from Dubuque, voted for the first time today at Horace Mann Elementary School.
Pope said he’s excited to vote for the first time in this election, having cast his vote for Kamala Harris.
“I agree with more of her policies,” Pope said of his choice for Harris, “I would say that I like her better as a person.”
Pope also voted for Christina Bohannan and for Democrats across the ticket.
Pope will respect the results of this election.
Mia O’Connor-Walker | 5:30 p.m.
Liz VanDusen, a 41-year-old resident of Iowa City, voted for Kamala Harris.
VanDusen said there were many reasons for their choice to vote for Harris and that Harris is the best choice for the country. They said reproductive freedoms and LGBTQ+ rights were their most important voting issues.
“As a queer person, I think it’s important to not have a government that hates you,” VanDusen said.
VanDusen also voted for Christina Bohannan, saying that Marianette Miller-Meeks’s policies on reproductive rights would be harmful for Iowan women.
No matter who wins the election, VanDusen will respect the results.
Mia O’Connor-Walker | 5:25 p.m.
Steve Kniffen, a 36-year-old resident of Iowa City, said he’s an independent voter. But this year, he voted Republican, Donald Trump for president, and Marianette Miller-Meeks for congress.
Kniffen said he likes Trump’s stances on immigration and the economy and thinks that a Trump presidency would be best for the future of the country.
He described immigration as his biggest issue.
“Just the immigration in general, with the influx of immigration we have going through right now, that’s probably the biggest one,” he said.
Kniffen said if Trump and Miller-Meeks don’t win their respective elections, he will trust that the results are accurate.
Mia O’Connor-Walker | 5:10 p.m.
Natalie Rhodes, a 51-year-old Iowa City resident and Democrat, voted for Kamala Harris and Christina Bohannan.
Rhodes said she’s excited, almost teary-eyed, at the idea of the first woman president, particularly a woman of color.
“I’m excited. I know they don’t like to talk about it, but I’m very excited to have the first woman president, ” Rhodes said.
At Rhodes’ side is 37-year-old Natalie Denlinger, also a resident of Iowa City. Denlinger confidently cast her ballot for Kamala Harris, saying that Harris feels like the best choice.
“She’s respectful, she’s kind, and she’s, well, qualified,” Denlinger said.
Both women cited reproductive rights as their No. 1 issue when casting their ballot today.
Roxy Ekberg | 4:09 p.m.
MILWAUKEE — Ulema Georgandis, a junior at Marquette, also switched her voter registration. From Texas, Georgandis said her vote would have more impact in a swing state, and she decided to vote because of the importance of the election.
“Every election is important, but I think this one in particular is extremely important,” she said.
Georgandis said she was able to get in line to vote before masses of students started pouring in. Her wait time was only 30 minutes, while those at the back of the line were instructed it could be over two hours.
Roxy Ekberg | 3:52 p.m.
MILWAUKEE — Ky Catlett, 20, Milwaukee resident cast their first ballot on Election Day for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Catlett said as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, they worry about what a second term for former President Donald Trump would mean.
“I have a lot of friends, and including myself, who would be deeply affected by any Trump policies, and I care about my life going forward,” Catlett said.
The biggest issue for Catlett this election was legislation on woman’s bodies. They were also in favor of Harris’s campaign promise of tax cuts for the middle class.
Roxy Ekberg | 3:43 p.m.
MILWAUKEE — The line to vote trailed through the halls of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning in Milwaukee with nearly a three-hour wait for those at the back of the line.
The sprawl consisted largely of first-time voters, many students at Marquette University. The polling location had to send a volunteer to grab more ballots and pens, as the sheer number of voters overwhelmed the poll’s supplies.
Originally from Rockville, Illinois, Olivia Holen, a senior at Marquette, switched her registration in 2022 to Wisconsin because she believed her vote would have more influence in the swing state.
“Wisconsin is obviously a swing state, it’s going to be one of the big deciders,” Holen said. “In Illinois, it’s already set, I would say, so I thought it was more important to vote here.”
A nursing student, Holen said top issues for her are abortion rights and immigration. Holen is also concerned about the economy, as she is looking to buy a house next year and is worried about the current economic state.
Liam Halawith | 3:37 p.m.
FAIRBURN, GEORGIA — Fairburn is a town of 16,000 residents located just outside the sprawling Atlanta Metropolis. The small town boasts three polling locations including one at First Baptist Church.
Noah Ballard, 30, of Fairburn, is voting for Vice President Kamala Harris in this election. He said the main reason he supports Harris is because of the future he sees under former President Donald Trump. He is worried about the state of democracy under Trump because of the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
“What happened on January 6, 2021, was a shame, and we can’t let that happen again,” Ballard said. “And Kamala Harris moves the country forward, fights for the middle class and progressive values, and that aligns with what I’m looking for.”
Marika Roberts, 36, of Fairburn, is voting for Harris because she thinks her economic policies will benefit middle-class Americans like her. She said Harris’ first-time home buyers’ down payment assistance and Harris’ proposal for expanding the small business tax credit is the main reason she supports Harris.
“I want a candidate that’s gonna fight for my rights, fight for what I’m supposed to have and things to help take care of my sons in America,” Roberts said. “I love what she says with passion. I love what she goes out and does for the people. So that’s why I was safe to put my choice with her.”
Emma Jane | 2:30 p.m.
Originally from Kewanee, Illinois, third-year UI student Marah Young said she is excited to have voted in her first election.
“I really feel like it’s important to educate yourself and vote,” Young said. “Because I feel like you can’t complain about the problems happening in the country if we didn’t vote.”
Young, who leans Republican, said she voted for candidates from multiple parties but declined to specify whom she supported.
“It’s hard to say your opinions at times, because you’re easily judged for stating them,” Young said.
No matter the outcome of the election, Young said she has confidence in how votes are cast and counted.
“I feel like we went through a thorough process tonight, and I trust it,” Young said.
Roxy Ekberg | 2:24 p.m.
WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN — Voters entered the Waukesha Public Library Tuesday afternoon to cast their ballots in the 2024 election. Waukesha County was largely influential in the 2020 election, and voters predict it will hold equal weight in this election cycle.
Undecided voter Tai Osborne, 29, rushed out of the library with voter registration papers, hurrying home to bring them to her husband so they both could cast a ballot. Osborne, a small business owner, said she is still unsure of who to vote for.
She said she is undecided because she feels as though rhetoric around the election is very confusing.
“I don’t know what really to believe with everything that’s online,” Osborne said.
Emma Jane | 2:22 p.m.
Third-year student Hae Mee Chae, who cast her vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, said she would be excited to see a woman of color elected President for the first time.
“She also supports culture rights and women’s choice for their body,” Chae said, explaining her support for Harris.
For Congress, Chae, a Democrat, voted for Christina Bohannan, expressing enthusiasm for more women in elected positions.
“She would have more of a voice for us,” Chae said.Chae also hopes her vote will prevent former President Trump from putting his proposed policies into effect.
“Trump, his whole Project 2025 wasn’t something that I really agree with,” Chae said. “So just trying not to have that happen.”
Project 2025 is a conservative policy agenda led by the Heritage Foundation that aims to overhaul federal agencies and policies on key issues like abortion and civil rights. It’s often associated with Trump due to contributions from several of his former staff, though he denies direct involvement.
Originally from Chicago, Chae said she is especially motivated to vote as an Iowa resident.“Being in a swing state makes me go vote,” Chae said.
Roxy Ekberg | 2:13 p.m.
WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN — Wearing matching “I voted” stickers, couple Angela and Dan Piper of New Berlin cast their ballots for Trump. Dan is a long-term Trump supporter, and Angela voted for the former President for the first time in the last election cycle.
Angela’s top issues are the economy and abortion, which she said Trump has stronger stances on than Harris.
Dan said he is worried that if Harris won, she would rely too heavily on others to influence her decisions, whereas he thinks Trump is “scary,” yet effective.
“[Harris’s] understanding of government and how to rule over something is totally different than what I would think would be appropriate,” he said. “Even though Trump is kind of scary, I’d rather have somebody scary there just to threaten everybody else, you don’t know what he’s gonna do type of thing.”
Emma Jane | 2:11 p.m.
Anna Jermano, a third-year UI student from Evergreen, Colorado, said living in a swing state compelled her to get out to the polls.
“I felt an intense need to [vote], especially as [Iowa] turns more purple,” Jermano said, referencing a recent poll that showed Vice President Harris leading former President Trump by 3 percentage points. “I think if I was still in Colorado and I was voting in Colorado, I wouldn’t feel as stressed about it, in a way.”
Jermano said she cast her vote for Harris for President and Democratic candidate Christina Bohannan for Congress, citing the environment and reproductive rights as key issues.“I take birth control and I want women to have access to abortion and not be punished to do so,” Jermano said.
A distaste for the rhetoric of former President Trump also influenced Jermano’s support for Harris.
“I hate the way that Donald Trump talks about women,” Jermano said. “I can’t stand to have someone like that in a position of such overwhelming power.”
Regardless of the election’s outcome, Jermano hopes for a smooth and peaceful democratic process.
“There’s no reason to get violent or freak out because your candidate didn’t win,” Jermano said.
Emma Jane | 2:04 p.m.
Second-year student Joshua Adolfson relied on the advice of his friends when voting in his first election this year.
“I voted for Trump because my my boys said that he’s good,” Adolfson said. “And they seem like informed people.”
Rather than voting for either the Democratic or Republican candidates for Congress, Adolfson claims he chose to write in his twin brother as a candidate instead.
“I like him, he’s cool,” Adolfson said of his twin brother. “He’s not smart in that way. But I think he’d do a good job.”
This unique approach, Adolfson said, influenced him to write in several of his other friends as candidates for various other positions, though he admitted he doesn’t actually hope they get elected.
“I didn’t really think,” Adolfson said regarding policies and traits of his preferred candidates. Living in a swing state, Adolfson said politics have been a prominent conversation topic leading up to this year’s election.
“You will meet a lot of people that do judge you for [your political opinions],” Adolfson said. “So I just do my best to stay out of it.”
Roxy Ekberg | 2:04 p.m.
WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN — Donna Pinczkowski, 78, has written in her preferred candidate for the last four election cycles, and the 2024 election is no exception.
Pinczkowski said she has turned away from both the Republican and Democratic Party because of the harmful campaigns they push, attacking each other rather than bolstering their vision for a better America.
“I want the leader of our country to be admirable, honest, truthful, and want to help the people in our country who need the most help,” she said.
Pinczkowski said she wished a God fearing candidate who loves America the most would have stepped forward, and she found both Harris and Trump to lack in this regard.
Emma Jane | 2 p.m.
First-time voter Erich Profeta said he cast his ballot for Trump, citing immigration as a primary factor in his decision.
“You see a lot of different things where illegal immigrants have committed crimes or murders,” Profeta said. “Not say that it’s just them, but I think that even those few should be a big enough sign to tell us that, ‘Hey, they shouldn’t be here.’”
While acknowledging that Trump’s rhetoric can be controversial, Profeta expressed confidence in the former President’s overall ability.“A lot of things he says can be kind of silly or stupid,” Profeta said. “But at the end of the day, I think he’s just someone who really is a leader.”
Profeta also believes a Trump presidency will benefit the economy, especially regarding the rising costs of housing and groceries which Profeta has experienced personally as a first-year college student.
“Maybe some of those things do or don’t have to do with the President, but I think a lot of it does, or a lot of it can be affected by the President,” Profeta said. “And from what I know the last four years, it’s all gone up.”
Being in a swing state during this election season, Profeta said, has been informative as he described himself as a people-person who enjoys hearing differing views.“I do enjoy sitting down with other people, members of other parties, and having conversations with them about why they vote for who they vote for,” Profeta said.
Emma Jane | 1:52 p.m.
Aditya Joglekar, a fourth-year student from Des Moines, cast his first ballot with votes for candidates across multiple parties.
For President, Joglekar said he voted for Republican nominee Donald Trump.“I just think he’s better for the economy and immigration,” Joglekar said. “Those are the top two issues for me.”
While Joglekar leans Republican this election cycle, he said he voted for Democrat Christina Bohannan in the Congressional race because of her stance on reproductive rights.“I feel like abortion is a statewide issue,” Joglekar said. “If you can have someone who is pro-choice in the state legislation we can make some change.”
Joglekar said he was enthusiastic to vote in his first Presidential election, especially living in a swing state.“Honestly, it’s pretty exciting because your vote actually matters,” Joglekar said.
Shaely Odean | 1:11 p.m.
50-year-old Chad Miller, a North Liberty resident, is a registered Republican who voted for the Trump-Vance and Marianette Miller-Meeks campaigns. Miller said he does not trust Vice President Kamala Harris and her policies, and he hopes that the country will return to “ the way it was when Trump was running things.”
“There’s no way you could put somebody like [Harris] in front of a world leader from another country, and they’re not going to laugh at her,” Miller said.
Miller remains skeptical of the results of the 2020 general election and has stated that his doubts will persist if Trump does not win the 2024 presidential election.
“I voted because our economy sucks, the border needs to have that wall finished, and I truly believe that he can turn everything around,” Miller said.
Isabelle Foland | 1:01 p.m.
Brendyn Little, a second-year University of Iowa student, said he was excited to finally be able to participate in an election after growing up watching presidential elections with his family.
Little said he leans Republican and voted for former President Donald Trump because of his economic policies. While Trump was not his favorite choice, Little said Trump felt like the lesser of two evils.
“I don’t really approve of [Kamala] Harris’ job as vice president,” Little said. “I think the big example was just the handling of the border.”
Isabelle Foland | 12:54 p.m.
In order to support his dad’s business and his own dreams of owning a business in the future, second-year University of Iowa student Michael O’Brien said he voted for former President Donald Trump and U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa.
The Chicago native said he is not normally politically inclined, but he wanted to make sure he did his part in a close election.
“Even though I haven’t really ever been super into politics, my family is — my grandpa is very political, my parents are very political,” O’Brien said. “So, I just wanted to go out there and make sure that I did my part.”
Shaely Odean | 12:42 p.m.
28-year-old North Liberty resident Nathan Cook grew up in the Des Moines area. The 2024 election was Cook’s second time voting in a general election. His beliefs lean toward Democratic, but he does not affiliate with one party or the other.
Voting this year was “like voting for the lesser of two evils,” Cook said. For this reason, he voted for the Harris-Walz and Bohannan campaigns.
Cook’s top issue on the ballot today was women’s reproductive freedom, and Harris’ plans align with his values. Cook’s wife is the main reason he supports a woman’s right to choose.
“I do not agree that the government can tell you what you can do with your body,” Cook said.
Isabelle Foland | 12:33 p.m.
Lola Espinosa, a second-year student hailing from Naperville, Illinois, said she originally did not plan on voting, but after seeing how recent Iowa polls indicated the state could swing blue, she changed her mind.
“I didn’t even know if I could vote, I wasn’t even registered,” Espinosa said. “So I was like, ‘You know what? I’m just gonna try.’”
Espinosa said she voted Democrat down the ballot to protect her rights as a woman and the rights of her brother, who is in the LGBTQ+ community.
Isabelle Foland | 12:29 p.m.
First-year University of Iowa students Norah Wade and Marin Jacobsen braved the rain and long voting line to cast their first-ever votes at Catlett Residence Hall.
The Des Moines natives both identified as Democrats and voted for Vice President Kamala Harris and Congressional candidate Christina Bohannan.
The issues that mattered most to Wade and Jacobsen were women’s rights, racial equality, and climate change.
Shaely Odean | 12:23 p.m.
51-year-old Rachel Bogs is a registered Democrat from Iowa City. Bogs voted for Vice President Kamala Harris for a variety of reasons, the main being she wanted to protect marginalized people, including women.
“Reproductive rights really kind of [relate] within that topic, anyway, because women are marginalized,” Bogs said.
Bogs said she votes any chance she gets, but this election “seemed especially important” because she does not want former President Donald Trump to win.
Shaely Odean | 12:15 p.m.
North Liberty Recreation Center, located at 520 W. Cherry St, is the town’s designated 5th precinct. Voters were instructed to enter through the front of the building, where they passed children playing basketball in the gymnasium and swimming in the indoor pool on their way to the basement of the building to cast their ballot. Many voters took the time to vote during their lunch break around noon today.
Miranda Davis | 11:51 a.m.
Sean Farley, 44, of Iowa City, is an Independent voter. His ballot was varied today, voting for Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidential election and Mariannette Miller-Meeks for the congressional race. He didn’t indicate any significant issues on the ballot for him.
“I’m true to my word as an Independent. I didn’t have too many policies on the line in this election, though,” he said.
Farley said he would trust the results of the election even if his preferred candidates did not win the race.
Miranda Davis | 11:37 a.m.
Elise Petsel, 24, of Iowa City, indicated she voted today as an Independent, declining to declare who she voted for in the election.
“I bounced around on the ballot a little today. Abortion and healthcare influenced my decision,” she said.
Petsel stated that she would still trust the results of the election even if her preferred candidates did not win the race.
Roxy Ekberg | 11:16 a.m.
ELKHORN, WISCONSIN — In small-town Wisconsin, voters streamed in and out of Elkhorn’s City Hall, the entire town’s polling location for the 2024 election.
Life-long Democrat Jim Schweitzer, 49, was elated to cast his ballot for Harris. He said it was the proudest vote he’s ever cast. Schweitzer said reproductive freedom and women’s rights are the most important issues to him this election cycle. He said he is surprised the race is so close, considering Harris’ experience rivals former President Donald Trump’s felonies. Schweitzer said he would be disappointed if Trump won the election.
“When someone does a job that poorly, you don’t give it back to them,” he said.
Independent voter Nancy Tomaska, 66, is largely concerned about social security. She cast her ballot for Harris and worries about America’s future if Trump were to be elected for a second term.
“I really feel strongly that if Donald Trump were elected, he might try to have more of a fascist approach to it, quite frankly, and that is a top issue for me. I understand inflation is a top issue for many people, and of course, I’m concerned about that, but my overriding concern is for the future of this country,” she said.
Nancy Tomaska and her husband, Robert, moved to Elkhorn from Illinois, and the 2024 election marks their first in the swing state. Robert Tomaska said voting in Illinois was important, however, he knew the state would stay blue. Now in a swing state, he is excited to know his vote will have sway in which color Wisconsin turns.
“I feel that we’re doing something really important today, and we’re very excited to be a part of that,” Robert Tomaska said.
Mark West, 54, voted blue up until the 2020 election, in which he voted for Trump. West cast his ballot in favor of Trump for the second time on Tuesday morning. West said he switched his vote to red because he felt as though Democrats were not accomplishing what he wanted to see — including changes to the economy and immigration. West said he does not trust the results of the 2020 election but will trust the results this election cycle.
Miranda Davis | 10:55 a.m.
Miriam Gardner, 69, of Iowa City, identified herself as a Democrat in today’s election. She cast her vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election and for Christina Bohannan in the congressional race. Key issues on her mind included inflation, grocery affordability for families, immigration policies, and access to abortion.
“I walk through the grocery store, thinking that [parents] can’t feed their families. Besides immigration and inflation, access to abortion has been huge as well. I didn’t realize until recently how bad it was in places like Texas,” she said.
Gardner also indicated that the age of candidates in the presidential race was a major influence in her decision, mentioning that she considered that as well in the 2020 election, in which she voted for President Joe Biden.
Miranda Davis | 10:15 a.m.
Andrea Krupa, 42, of Iowa City, declared she voted as a Democrat in the 2024 election. She voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election and for Christina Bohannan in the congressional race. The biggest thought on her mind today was her children.
“I want my girls to watch someone and follow someone who embodies good characteristics and kindness and the truth. I think [Harris] embodies kindness for all.”
Krupa focused on women’s reproductive rights in the election today. She said it drove her to vote more in this election than it did in the 2020 election, in which she voted for Biden.
Miranda Davis | 10:11 a.m.
On Election Day, residents of Iowa City gathered throughout the morning at the Iowa City Community School District Main Office to cast their vote in the 2024 election.
Kevin Hanick, 77, of Iowa City, identified himself as a left-leaning voter. He cast his ballot today for Vice President Kamala Harris and congressional candidate Christina Bohannan. He said his main focus was democracy in the United States.
“It’s about survival of democracy. What else can you say? For Kamala Harris, it’s certainly about her stance on women’s rights, and I am anti-Trump on his tariff plan.”
Hanick indicated that he voted for President Joe Biden in the 2020 election and voted straight Democrat down the ballot today.
Jacob Calvin | 10:06 a.m.
Kabedi Mutamba, a 20-year-old junior studying journalism and African American Studies at the UI, shared her thoughts on voting in the upcoming election.
Mutamba expressed disappointment in Vice President Kamala Harris’s policies, particularly regarding aid to Israel.
“I just didn’t want to be complicit if she didn’t uphold the progress,” she said.
Choosing to vote third party for Claudia de la Cruz and Karina Garcia, Mutamba said the importance of voting based on issues rather than party affiliation.
“I hate the whole party labels because oftentimes, for me, it’s about the specific issues I care about,” she said.
Mutamba identified the war in Gaza as a pivotal issue, asserting that it reflects broader human rights concerns.
“What’s happening in Gaza encapsulates women’s rights and the legacy of racism and police brutality in our country,” she said.
She stressed, advocating for continuous political engagement.
“Your job as a citizen does not end at the voting booth,” she said. “It’s every day.”
Jacob Calvin | 9:59 a.m.
Emily Russell, a 22-year-old fourth-year at the UI, shared her voting experience and the motivations behind her choices.
“I voted for Harris because I believe abortion is a human right,” she said.
Russell expressed her enthusiasm for Kamala Harris’s stance on research funding.
“I like where she stands on research funding, which is what I’m going to be going to school for next year,” she said.
Reflecting on the significance of voting in a swing state, Russell emphasized the importance of mobilizing others.
“I feel like it’s more important to get my friends to vote,” she said.
Jacob Calvin | 9:47 a.m.
Ben Hornbeck, an 18-year-old first-year at the UI, shared his experience as a first-time voter in his home state of Iowa.
“I didn’t have much hesitation voting for Kamala Harris… because of her policies around Israel and Palestine,” he said.
He expressed some concerns about the political process.
“I thought it was sort of unfair that she automatically assumed the Democratic nomination after Biden resigned,” he said.
Hornbeck described himself as leaning “social democratically, like Bernie Sanders.”
“I voted blue all the way, except with judges and other state officials that I didn’t know,” he said.
Evan Watson | 9:39 a.m.
Virginia Meyer is a 74-year-old resident outside of Lone Tree. A Democrat, she said she voted for the Harris-Walz and Bohannan campaigns. She said she was proud to have voted the way she did.
She said she voted for Joseph R. Biden in the 2020 presidential election. To her, our democratic system is a primary concern in this election.
“The top issue for me is maintaining our democratic system,” Meyer said. “I think that it’s in jeopardy.”
She said she would prefer to see government policies that favor protecting those without wealth or power. The election results are trustworthy, Meyer said, but she believes there have been efforts nationwide to suppress the vote.
Meyer said she is happy to see Iowa behaving similarly to a swing state. She said Iowa seems more balanced this election, which she believes is an improvement as the current Iowa administration is too far right.
Jacob Calvin | 9:36 a.m.
Faith Briones, a 20-year-old third-year at the UI, shared her enthusiastic experience as a first-time voter after recently becoming a U.S. citizen.
“I thought it was super cool to be able to vote here,” she said.
Politically, Briones identifies as a Democrat, casting her vote for Kamala Harris for president and Christina Bohannan for Congress. She said their ads and social media presence as significant influences in her decision.
As a nursing student, Briones prioritized issues related to OBGYN care and immigration policies.
“That was something I was really passionate about, especially since I want to be a nurse working in women’s health or labor and delivery,” she said.
Zoe Smith | 9:06 a.m.
Many first-time voters filed into Catlett Residence Hall before heading to class. One of the early morning voters at the polls was first-year UI student Lucy Noonan.
Noonan, a Chicago native and left-leaning voter, decided to register in Iowa because she felt that her vote for Harris mattered more here than in her home state of Illinois.
“It [Illinois] was going to go blue regardless of how I voted, so my vote wouldn’t have necessarily mattered as much as it would have had I voted here,” Noonan said.
This election felt especially important to Noonan because she was able to kick off her voting career by casting her ballot for a woman.
“It is fantastic that we [women] have the opportunity to be in office, but it’s also very scary because the stakes are really high. I feel like if she’s not in office a lot of my rights, and a lot of the people I know and care about’s rights will be stripped away. So it’s a little bit more high-stakes than I would have liked it to be,” Noonan explained.
Jacob Calvin | 9:17 a.m.
Julia Gale, an 18-year-old freshman at the UI from Dubuque, expressed her excitement about the voting experience. Living in Peterson Hall made the process particularly convenient for her, as she simply took the elevator down to vote.
Julia identified as leaning toward the Democratic Party, primarily motivated by her opposition to Donald Trump’s reelection.
“I just don’t want Trump reelected; that’s pretty much it,” she said.
Being in a swing state like Iowa heightened Julia’s sense of the importance of her vote.
“My vote definitely felt more important,” she noted.
Evan Watson | 9:05 a.m.
58-year-old Jan Slaughter of Lone Tree did not indicate how she voted. However, she indicated her strong belief in women’s rights. Her concern lay especially with her daughter.
“People made a big deal about abortion, and just because we have the right to do it doesn’t mean we would have one,” she said. “For my daughter, because we have a daughter, that she should have the right.”
Slaughter said the issue of abortion did not affect her participation in the election, and she votes every year regardless.
Jacob Calvin | 8:56 a.m.
As students streamed into Peterson Hall to cast their ballots, Aidan Baldridge, a second-year UI student from the Quad Cities, reflected on his first voting experience.
Having moved from Illinois, Aidan expressed some hesitation about voting on local candidates due to his unfamiliarity with Iowa’s local government.
“I feel like I shouldn’t really be voting on those candidates because I’m not a stakeholder, essentially,” he explained.
When asked about his voting experience, Aidan described it as both exciting and intimidating.
“There’s not really a good how-to guide for doing it for the first time, but they do a good job walking you through it,” he said.
Brianna Brands | 8:54 a.m.
Stella Logsdon, originally from Des Moines, is a fourth-year, 21-year-old UI student who identifies as a left-leaning Democrat. Logsdon voted for Harris and Bohannan due to their stances on reproductive health care, environmental justice, and workers’ rights, but she was most interested in empowering women in office.
“I voted for one party — Democratic — and then for all the other, smaller ballots, I voted mostly just for women that I saw,” she said. “It’s really important to empower women in office, and I just wanted to make sure that those women had the chance to enact their political ideology, even if it’s not always something I agree with.”
Though Logsdon will be disappointed if Harris loses, she will maintain her trust in the election results and the democratic system.
Jacob Calvin | 8:50 a.m.
First-time voters made their way to Peterson Hall, eager to cast their ballots. Among them was Aiden Schrader, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Iowa, who took a significant step in his civic journey by voting for the first time.
Hailing from Muscatine, Iowa, Schrader identifies as an Independent and chose to vote for former President Donald Trump. He believes his vote carries weight in this swing state, especially in such a contentious election.
“I was excited just to do my civic duty, put my opinion in, and make sure it counts,” Schrader said.
Voting straight down the Republican ticket, Schrader said economic policies played a crucial role in his decision.
“Probably just my money and where it’s going,” he said.
Evan Watson | 8:43 a.m.
Brennan Lorack, a Lone Tree resident, identified himself as a conservative voter. The 39-year-old said he voted for Trump-Vance in the presidential race and Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the congressional race.
He said the main issues for him this election is inflation and the economy. Returning to the conditions under the previous Trump administration is his main concern in the election.
Zoe Smith | 8:39 a.m.
Ella Shanlo, a second-year University of Iowa student originally from Iran, cast her ballot for Donald Trump. Many of the issues important to her surrounded immigration and economic policy.
“I agree with having legal immigrants, not illegal immigrants. After the tax breakdown, I think it’s better than Kamala’s,” Shanlo said.
Shanlo also stated that she has been confused about Harris’ background and feels that Trump is more honest about himself.
“I feel Kamala is very confusing. I still don’t know if she’s African American or if she’s Indian or if she’s half. I’m not sure about her background story, it’s just very twisted,” Shanlo said.
Evan Watson | 8:31 a.m.
Megan Schmitt, 23, of Lone Tree, did not share who she voted for in the presidential race or her party affiliation. She said she voted for Christina Bohannan for the congressional race. However, she said she did not vote for one party down the ballot.
“I did some research beforehand and just went off of policies,” she said.
She said one major issue for her in the election is maintaining democracy.
Brianna Brands | 8:28 a.m.
Hugo Kaut is a third-year, 20-year-old UI student, originally from Des Moines. Kaut has voted in local and midterm elections before, but his excitement to vote for the first time in a general election stemmed from the belief that voting is the most tangible thing people can do to voice their opinions politically.
Kaut voted for Harris-Walz and Bohannan due to the candidates’ stances on reproductive freedom, citing it as a determining factor in his vote. Climate change and the ongoing conflict in Israel are also important issues for Kaut.
“I don’t approve of either of the candidates’ stances in Israel, however, so within the United States, things like abortion rights and who might end up on the Supreme Court, I feel like I am obligated to go for Kamala,” he said.
Brianna Brands | 8:19 a.m.
At the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center on the UI campus, just south of downtown Iowa City, students and Iowa City residents woke up early, casting their ballots before rushing off to class or work for the day.
58-year-old Iowa City resident Virgil Hare, who identifies as an independent voter, voted for the Harris-Walz and Christina Bohannan campaigns. Harris is the “only choice for the presidency,” Hare said, citing abortion as his top issue when he cast his ballot.
“I believe in everyone’s unalienable right to their own body,” he said.
Regardless of this year’s results, Hare trusts the democratic process and believes the volunteers working long hours are the heart and soul of the day.
Zoe Smith | 8:17 a.m.
Fourth-year UI student CJ Hallinger has voted in elections previously, but this marks his first presidential election. His biggest issue, along with human and reproductive rights, is democracy as a whole.
“It’s [his vote] pro-Kamala, but it’s also anti-Trump. Because I do think he’s eroding democratic norms that are important to the maintenance of American democracy. Also, I don’t think the last four years have been that bad. I’ll take another four,” Hallinger said.
He also stated that age was another factor that drew him to vote for Harris.
“She’s closer to my parents’ age, which I’ve been saying for years, I want a president closer to my parents’ age,” Hallinger said.
Evan Watson | 8:16 a.m.
On Election Day, southeast of Iowa City, rural Lone Tree residents trickled in during the early morning hours to cast their ballot in the 2024 presidential election.
62-year-old Jeff Lihs of Lone Tree said he identified himself as an Independent voter. He said his main issue during the election was getting both sides to work together.
“I would say getting everybody to work together instead of fighting each other is the absolutely biggest thing,” Lihs said.
He did not indicate his vote for either race, but said he would trust the election results as they are reported.
Zoe Smith | 8:08 a.m.
For Independent voter and third-year University of Iowa student Zakaiha Johnson, when casting her ballot for Kamala Harris this morning, she thought about what she wanted her future to look like.
“I think it’s pretty cool that we can have a female president nowadays. Her morals just pretty much match up with what I plan for the future and what I plan for what I want my kids to have,” Johnson said.
For many young women coming out of the polls this morning, reproductive rights were an important issue on the ballot for them.
“I would say it’s sad that our grandparents had more reproductive rights than we have. I don’t want to go back, I should have control of my life,” Johnson said.