Frederick Golden of Morgantown, West Virginia, voted Tuesday night at Brookhaven Elementary School, with the presidential election his main concern.
Golden said he believes immigration and the economy are two of the biggest issues affecting both the country and the state.
“The prices are too high. Immigration is terrible. We see it here locally, see it in all cities,” he said.
Golden, a registered Republican, said he has voted for Democratic candidates in the past but believes Republican policies are consistent with his expectations for the country’s future.
“I definitely don’t want to see Kamala Harris in office,” he said.
Locally, Golden said policing in the city is too easygoing and needs to be addressed.
“I think people can cope with quite a lot, the drugs and everything else that comes with it,” he said. “I don’t even take my kids to parades downtown because of the needles and stuff in the streets.”
Golden said he feels more informed about the presidential election than state or local elections. Despite concerns about policing, he said he doesn’t have much information about local races, including the sheriff.
“We are so busy in our everyday lives. When you take it to the national level, it’s right in your face. You see it all the time. At the local level, they just don’t have the money to go out and campaign like everyone else,” he said.
Michael Reynolds of Morgantown, speaking for Monongalia County Sheriff, said he cast his vote for Todd Forbes because of his character.
“I chose Todd Forbes for sheriff because he is a good man. He’s the only Democrat I voted for,” Reynolds said.
Morgantown resident Asia Mooney said the local issues she focused on were water quality, roads, public education and sustainability.
“I don’t think we need to rely on coal so much,” she said.
Mooney said her decision to vote for Kamala Harris in the presidential nomination was due to her health care and immigration policies, as well as a belief in a woman’s right to choose.
“Trump, in my opinion, had nothing that looked like it would be good for a black woman in West Virginia,” she said.
Mooney said it was her civic duty to vote.
“You’re an American, you should vote. It’s part of your civic duty,” she said.
