Portage County voters explain why they braved Covid to cast their ballots in person
For many, it boils down to tradition and making sure their vote gets counted
By Chris Ramos
News Lab
With a full parking lot and a line of voters wrapping outside the entrance, Field Middle School in Suffield saw a hefty turnout of voters at 9 a.m.
Field Middle School is the voting location for residents who live in the B, C and D precincts of Brimfield Township. Andrew Monroe, a precinct official, said 3,854 registered voters live in the precincts.
By 11:45 a.m., 519 people had already voted. Monroe said that was a solid showing, but he didn’t know how many people took advantage of early voting.
“We’re hoping to see a 75 percent turnout, but I don’t know what that means in terms of actual numbers,” Monroe said. “But I’m excited to see a large representation of the populace being here.”
Jennifer Carzoo, 46, said her voting experience in this year’s election was no different than previous elections.
“I got here at 10:53 and I’m leaving at 11:14, so not bad. Everything went smoothly,” Carzoo said. “I felt like there was no issue when it came to the risk of corona. I think I’m good.”
Her decision to vote in person was for the sake of tradition and transparency.
“I believe in tradition, and that’s the reason why I’m here today,” Carzoo said,” And also because I feel like it’s going to count more. I’m kind of leery on the whole mail-in.”
Ebony Green, 43, also voted in person because she wanted to “make sure it went through” and that she “does not trust the mail anymore.” Green said her wait in line was short and thatshe expects a much greater turnout due to the magnitude of the presidential election.
“It’s going to be extremely high because everyone is looking for a change. Not the same four years that we’ve had,” Green said.
For Kori Christopher, 25, her decision to vote in person was based on convenience. Christopher voted in the 2018 midterm election and said going out to vote is of great importance to her.
“I think it’s just, I mean it’s an American right,” Christopher said. “I think it’s important to care about people other than yourself and voting is one of the ways to do that.”
Because of the ongoing pandemic, Monroe, the precinct official, said despite concerns there would be a shortage of poll workers, the minimum was met for all precincts. Typically, Portage County would like to have 100 reserves, in case they need replacements. But there were only about 30 for this election, Monroe said.
At Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown, the scene was quiet inside of the Jay A. Gershen Atrium at 1 p.m. There was no line inside or outside the building.
“It’s been steady all day. We’ve had a line out the door just about all day except for the last hour,” said Phil Sheaffer, a precinct official. “It’s been a good turnout so far.”
After polls closed at 7:30 p.m. and all voters are accounted for, Shaeffer said he would be one of the precinct officials taking the results to the Portage County Board of Elections office.
Kaleb Dulaney, 20, said he anticipates a closer race in this year’s presidential election than in 2016, and has noticed an increase in youth participation this time around.
“Most of my friends have always voted since we graduated high school but I’ve noticed a lot more people wanting to vote in this election because of the attention between Biden and Trump,” Dulaney said. “Everyone has their own opinion. Me and my friends don’t get into arguments over which is right or which is wrong.”
Election Day voting in Rootstown was a first-time experience for Rebecca Burgess, 42, who recently moved from Randolph. She said she drove by NEOMED in the morning and noticed a long line, which prompted her to come back out in the afternoon to vote.
“Voting is important to me because if there are any issues that you stand for, it usually comes down to your moral character or your value system that you’ve been raised with,” Burgess said. “I feel like I don’t have a voice to complain unless I’m out here trying to make a difference and vote for who I feel is best.”
Like other voters, Burgess said her decision to vote in person was based on tradition, and she said she enjoys the experience of physically coming out to the polls.
This article was produced through a reporting partnership with the Collaborative News Lab @ Kent State University.
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