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A2 UP FRONT
Tuesday 18 OcTOber 2022
Most say voting vital despite dour U.S. outlook: AP-NORC poll

Continued from Front to an abortion this year. If
passed, the state’s ballot
In follow-up interviews, poll initiative would guarantee
respondents reported dis- abortion rights in the Michi-
tinct concerns about the gan Constitution.
country’s direction despite “I feel like it’s just a lot that’s
agreement that things are at stake,” Townsend said,
not working. adding that she’s both “op-
Rick Moore, a 67-year-old timistic and nervous” about
writer and musician in Las the outcome but that it’s
Vegas, said he’s dissatisfied “the right thing” for people
with President Joe Biden, to be able to vote on it.
and “not just because I’m a The poll showed majorities
Republican.” Moore called of voters overall say the
him “more of a puppet” outcome of the midterms
than any other president in will have a significant im-
his lifetime. pact on abortion policy,
“It’s important to me that with Democratic voters
Republicans are in control more likely than Republi-
of as much as possible be- can voters to say so. Most
cause we’re not going to voters across party lines say
get rid of the Democratic the outcome will have a lot
president anytime soon,” of impact on the economy.
Moore said. More voters say they trust
In general, Moore said, he the Republican Party to
doesn’t like the way Demo- handle the economy (39%
cratic politicians run their Cornelius Whiting fills out his ballot at an early voting location in Alexandria, Va., Sept. 26, 2022. vs. 29%), as well as crime
states, including Nevada Associated Press (38% vs. 23%). Republicans
Gov. Steve Sisolak, adding also have a slight advan-
that Democrats are “using office, they remain largely love to vote “for someone ford, Michigan, agrees that tage on immigration (38%
the word democracy to sour on the way things are that really stood for what things are moving back- vs. 33%). The Democratic
make all of us do what they going. you believe,” but that it’s ward. But the 28-year-old Party is seen as better able
want.” Fifty-eight percent of voters very important to her to called out abortion, health to handle abortion policy
“I would just like to see my also say they are dissatis- vote anyway. care and police brutality as (45% vs. 22%), health care
voice more represented,” fied with the state of indi- The Republican stay-at- especially concerning are- (42% vs. 25%) and voting
he said. vidual rights and freedoms home mother of two in as in which rights are being laws (39% vs. 29%).
Since the last midterm elec- in the U.S., up from 42% in Washington Township, threatened. Despite the uncertainty
tions, voters have grown 2018. About two-thirds of Ohio, said the direction of “We have minimum pro- in the outcome, Dean in
more negative about the Republicans are now dis- the country is “devastat- gression in the right direc- Pennsylvania has faith in
country and people’s satisfied, after about half ing,” noting both inflation tion for a lot of areas, espe- the American system to
rights: 70% say they are dis- said they were satisfied and a decline in moral val- cially for people of minority work for the will of the peo-
satisfied with the way things when Trump was in office. ues. (groups). Their rights are not ple.
are going in the U.S., up Among Democrats, views “I’m scared for my chil- the same as those of other “I think it’s important that
from 58% in October 2018. have stayed largely the dren’s future,” Hartlage races and cultures,” the our representatives repre-
Republicans have become same, with about half dis- said. “You always want to Democrat, who is African sent what the majority of
enormously dissatisfied with satisfied. leave things better for them American, said. people want,” Dean said.
a Democrat in the White Shawn Hartlage, 41, than what you had, but it’s A children’s health and “That’s what we claim we
House. While Democrats doesn’t think her views as a definitely not moving in mental health specialist, do in this country and it feels
have become less nega- Christian are well represent- that direction.” Townsend said she’s voting like it is what should hap-
tive since Donald Trump left ed, lamenting that she’d Teanne Townsend of Red- for her constitutional right pen. And I am hopeful.”q

Former President Obama, Michelle

Obama in Chicago to vote

CHICAGO (AP) — Former ed as a state senator, a some frustrations.”
President Barack Obama is U.S. senator and ultimately, The former president is
about to hit the campaign president. scheduled to be in Atlanta
trail ahead of the Nov. They arrived at the Chi- on Oct. 28 to campaign on
8 election, but he came cago Board of Elections behalf of Stacey Abrams,
home Monday with the Supersite in downtown the Democrat running
former first lady to vote. Chicago shortly after 12:30 for governor of Georgia
The two came to Chicago p.m. They chatted with against Republican Gov.
to vote in the city where poll workers, shook hands, Brian Kemp.
Michelle Obama was born voted and then left. After that, he plans to
and raised and where the The former president said campaign in Michigan
former president began his he missed the old punch- and Wisconsin on behalf Former President Barack Obama, left, and former first lady
political career, first work- style ballots, joking that of Democrats running for Michelle Obama cast their ballots at an early voting venue
ing as a community orga- they were a way to “get governor, senator and Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in Chicago.
nizer before he was elect- out some aggression, down the ballot.q Associated Press