Voter Reactions Today in Myers Park Polling Booth Concerns Span Neighborhood and Nation

Charlotte voters headed to the polls for Election Day today, energized by issues ranging from civic duty and inflation to concerns about crime, abortion access, and struggling schools. 

At Myers Park Traditional Elementary School, voters hurried in and out of the school gymnasium that served as a polling station. Outside, a dozen campaign workers waved signs and campaign brochures, hoping to sway the swayable. 

“Do I have a favorite candidate? Well, yes, I’m here to support my son,’’ said Matthew Ridenhour Sr., who held up a sign supporting his son, Matt Ridenhour, a Republican candidate for Mecklenburg County Commission.  

Midterm elections traditionally serve as a referendum on the current political party in power, but this year’s vote is also feeling the broadsides of inflammatory rhetoric, fraud conspiracies, and court rulings shifting abortion laws to states, all of which have created urgency around voting integrity. 

There were, to be sure, issues-driven voters at the polls today. 

One, who asked to remain anonymous, said she came to vote to address crime and inflation.  

“I want safety for my kids, schools, and freedom,” she said, adding that she wants to make sure her young son could one day buy a house and pay for college. She said she also worried about the impact of gender-sensitive instruction. 

“This is a God country,” the voter said, adding that she wants things to go back to how they were when she was growing up. Schools need to teach “properly, accurately, not change history,’’ she said. 

Another voter, who gave his name only as Ryan, 45, said he is voting because he is worried about women’s rights.  

The U.S. Supreme Court, in the aftermath of its decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, also threw out lower court rulings that invalidated several state abortion laws. 

John Grimes, a 55-year-old retired physician, agreed with Ryan. 

“States have little impact on other issues,’’ he said, adding that abortion rights and taxes were at the top of his list.  “So, I would say abortion is the most important issue to focus on.”  

A 53-year-old retired emergency room doctor said that important issues are on the line.  

“It is the one time I get to state my opinion and hopefully make it count,” she said, adding that the primary issues bringing her to the polls today were abortion and education. 

“Every woman has the right to choose, whether she is pro-life or pro-choice,” she said before shifting her focus to education. “Education affects everyone,” she added. “[It] is the foundation of society. There should be strong, equitable opportunities for education.”  

Her favorite candidate? Jeff Jackson, a Democratic state senator from Charlotte, who is running against Republican Pat Harrigan to represent North Carolina’s new 14th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Jackson runs “an admirable campaign,’’ she said, adding “he is genuine, kind, based on facts, and does not slander other opponents.” 

Grimes and other voters also talked about their hope for less government infighting, election integrity, and appreciation for the right to vote.  

That precious vote was a strong theme repeated by both election officials and voters. 

Inside the polling location, Nina Skopic, Chief Judge of Precinct 8, which covers Myers Park, said she is passionate about getting more young people to the polls. Better publicity about the deadlines to request absentee ballots and send them in is key, she said. “It breaks my heart’’ when they come to vote on Election Day and get turned away for invalid registration, she said. “It’s a right, responsibility, and privilege to vote.” 

Charles Bryan, 60, said that he came to the polls today, not to support specific issues, but to fulfill his civic duty. 

Same for Brett, a 33-year-old anesthesiologist who said that he was simply voting to vote. He said that had no concern for any issues in his local area and no candidate preferences.  

“It’s Election Day,” he said. And that was that. 

Simone Feast

Managing Editor

Simone Feast of Raleigh, North Carolina, is a multimedia storytelling major in the James L. Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte. Simone is managing editor of the news service and was a 2023 Rogers summer scholar with the service.

Nicole Rojas

Reporter