In Interviews, Local Voters Express Both Anxiety and Hope

By 11:30 a.m. on Election Day, business was already brisk at Pine Plains Fine Wine and Spirits, with customers stocking up in the event their candidate won or lost. “The volume of people coming in is much higher today than regular mornings,” said the clerk, Christopher Hurley. “People are pretty anxious.”

In dozens of interviews at Stissing Mountain High School, voters voiced anxiety, anger and hope as they lined up to cast their ballots on an unseasonably warm day.

Turnout was heavy: At 5:45 a.m., shortly before the polls opened, there was already a line of 15 people at the door, waiting to vote. “That was wonderful to see,” said April Knapp, the site’s Republican election supervisor.

Every time a new voter signed in, the poll workers, Democrats and Republicans alike, would cheer and shout, “New voter!”

Some voters dashed in and out, taking a few minutes to cast their ballots before returning to work. Others shouldered infants or guided elderly relatives to the polling place. Everyone interviewed agreed on the heightened importance of voting in this election. 

“I voted for democracy,” said Fran Silvert. “It is in real danger in our country. I also think women need to wake up.”

By noon, 428 votes had been cast. Christine McBeth of Pine Plains said national issues resonated locally for her. “Inflation is my number one issue,” she said. “And immigration too, though it is not really a problem yet here.”

“It felt good to vote,” said Bernard Lonczak. “It was easy. It’s what we’re supposed to do.”  Asked why he voted, he said, “I voted to end the chaos.”

Many said the town, like the nation, is not on the right track, and their comments echoed the national unease.

Some voters were reluctant to give their names. “I own a business in town,” said one woman. “I can’t talk to you.”

Mike Vincent, who arrived at the polling station with his wife, Brenna, and their infant son, Levi, had an explanation. “I feel politics have gotten dirty in recent years so it’s important for my voice to be heard,” he said. “Before we had a real sense of community in this town. Before we could disagree with each other and still have a strong community. Now we have lost that. It feels like you can’t disagree with people and still have a community. We voted today to get back the sense of community back into town.”

“I’ve been voting in Pine Plains for 60 years,” said Doug Hart. “I voted for Barry Goldwater [the Republican candidate in 1964], but now I feel democracy is threatened and we have to preserve it. It’s particularly important to vote in this election. Before if your candidate lost — too bad — this time if your candidate loses it will be a calamity. The difference between the two presidential candidates is so huge.” Asked what issue particularly concerns him, he said women’s rights. 

“In a small town like ours,” Hart said,  “local elections really matter more. It’s more of a service job. Politicians have to get along more.” 

At 6 p.m., Leah Cawley made her way to the voting booth at the high school. She emerged a few minutes later, thrilled. “I just turned 18 four days ago,” said Cawley, who was dressed in sweatshirt and jeans. “I wanted to vote because I just brought a child into this world and I have a responsibility to vote for the world he can grow up safely in.”

Some residents left disappointed. William Smith was turned away at the polling station. “I thought I could register to vote here at the polling place, but it turns out I can’t,” he said. “I’ll know better next time.”

Town police stopped by the polling station occasionally, but overall the day went quietly.

“We’ve had no issues at all,” said Knapp. “It’s been very orderly.”