To the Polls!

DURHAM, N.H. – A steady flow of resident and student voters greeted voting officials and hit the polls at Oyster River High School on Election Day.

At 8:50 a.m., there were fairly long lines for both the voters already registered in Durham, and those who wanted to register on Election Day. Supporters with signs were calm but vigilant in trying to sway people’s votes.

A long line of supporters lined the sidewalk on the way to the polls, in hopes that they could get more votes for the candidates that they support. Everything appeared to be in order.

Voting official Tom Richardson helped funnel registered voters into the high school and maintained order outside. “There’s been a very steady flow of voters since the polls opened, and the day’s barely begun,” Richardson said. “Everything has gone smoothly so far,” he added.

Every voter seemed to have his or her own reasons for voting. “It might be bad to say, but I’m pretty indifferent,” said University of New Hampshire sophomore Sydney Karoline Fitzpatrick, 19, a native of Billerica, MA. Her stance was echoed by UNH junior Matthew John Powers, 21, a native of Harpswell, ME. “All my friends were on me about voting, so I felt like I should get out here and do it,” Powers said.

Other voters were more enthusiastic about going through the whole process. “It’s a historic election and I feel like I need to do my part, but it’s exciting at the same time” said UNH sophomore, 19, and native of Romania Oana Tutuianu.

There appeared to be lots of groups of friends coming together to vote. Powers stood in line with his friend Paul Deturk. “It’s a little chilly out here, so it’s a lot more tolerable to wait in all these stupid lines if you have a buddy with you,” Powers joked.

While everyone has their own reasons for voting, it cannot be denied that this election is important, and it has historical significance. “We’re either going to have our first black president, or our first female Vice President,” said Caribou, ME native Cale Dubay, who is 21. “That’s a pretty big deal, and I just want what’s going to be best for our country not only now, but into the future,” Dubay added.

Vans provided by Barack Obama and the Democratic Party carried UNH students from seven different locations on campus to different voting places. Obama has focused much of his campaign on the young voters.

“That’s what swayed me,” said Londonderry, NH native Michael Francis Peabody. “He (Obama) appeals to younger voters, and he’s going to make big changes if he is elected, which is why I’m voting for him” Peabody added.

Dubay echoed his support for Obama. “Changes need to be made, and he’s got all the tools to do it,” said Dubay. Tutuianu agreed. “I’m a Democrat, so I guess I’d vote for whoever was running, but I support Obama,” she said.

While it is not every voter’s first time being eligible to vote, many are voting for the first time. “I’ve been eligible to vote before, but this is my first time. I guess it’s the perfect time to start,” said Powers. “This is my first time being eligible to vote, so I feel like it’s my duty to do it,” said Fitzpatrick.