Why Americans in Battleground States Are Voting: ‘I Worry I Don’t Have the Right’ | 2022 US Midterm Elections

As Americans head to the polls, we sent photographers to three key battleground states to shine a spotlight on voters who spoke about their hopes and fears in the midterm elections. They met people voting out of concern for the economy, women’s rights, and threats to democracy. They also found people driven by optimism for greater unity and hoping their votes would make a difference. prize.

Georgia

One of the election’s most high-profile and important races, which could determine which party controls the Senate, Georgia Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock is playing against former Republican soccer star and Trump valet Herschel Walker.

A vocal anti-abortion advocate, Walker’s campaign has been rocked by reports that he paid for an ex-girlfriend to have an abortion in the past. , the race will advance to a runoff vote in early December.

Meanwhile, in the gubernatorial race, Democrat Stacey Abrams faces Republican incumbent Brian Kemp in a rerun of the 2018 election, which he narrowly lost. Kemp leads the polls in this year’s contest.

I am excited to vote to bring about much needed changes in our government. “

Addie Blake, 80

Thank you for the opportunity to vote. I honestly think it makes sense. I am proud to have done it and I hope it makes a difference. “

Portia Mejia, 35

I’m just trying to fix what’s wrong with the economy and move things forward. I vote for who I think will change things. “

Austin Gilbert, 24

I don’t have a strong opinion. Excited to be able to vote and possibly make a difference. “

Katie Shelley, 22

Photo and interview by Morgan Hornsby, Ringgold, Georgia

Nevada

Democrat Catherine Cortez Mast, the first Latino to become a senator, and Republican State Attorney Adam Laxalt, who led the Republican effort to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. She is defending her seat against the president.

Cortez Masto has emphasized abortion rights and Laxart has sought to capitalize on voter concerns about rising prices, but the pattern is similar in other states.

I worry about candidates who don’t know the results of the last election. It bothers me that so many of them are on the ballot and could be elected. “

Franz Gator, 73 years old

I decided to vote because our country has so many problems and the only way we can change it is by listening to our voices.

Sherilyn Clarke, 58

Hopefully, we can elect people who look to the future of our children. Not only do we have young children and that is what we are most concerned about and we have a country we can all be proud of, but the economy is picking up and people are getting jobs. and keep things positive. “

Martin Little, 51, and Patricia Katia, 39

I hate to say it because I fear it will go the other way. It means that I cannot have the right that I should have as a woman. “

Lynn Monica, Age Undisclosed

I hope that no matter who wins, they will be able to unite in some way. We talk about unity, we talk about being united, but we don’t know that yet. “

Austin Donovan, 42

This is my first time voting. I just became a US citizen and that’s one of the things I wanted to do. As Americans now, voting is very important. “

Chiyo Hojo Age Undisclosed

Photo and interview by Saeed Lavalan in Las Vegas, Nevada

Ohio

Trump pro-J.D. Vance, author of the best-selling Hillbilly Elegy, should give Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan an edge in the Senate race in a state that has tended to lean Republican over the past decade.

Ryan is emphasized his blue-collar background, backed domestic labor and a $15 minimum wage as his major policy plans and distanced himself from the liberals in his party. But independent analysts say Vance, whose Republican group has spent a lot of money to bolster his prospects, is still likely to win.

I still feel small in the grand scheme of things. Even though I know my vote matters, I’m afraid that in the back of my head I’m still feeling like, “Really?” “

Somnia Keacy, 22

My hopes and fears about the election are the loss of women’s rights and democracy across the board. “

Chris Burke, 61

Basically, I am voting for freedom in this country. It’s a fight to shrink the great divisions in America today and preserve electoral freedom. “

Chris Hardman, 68

Photos and Interview by Rich-Joseph Facun of Athens, Ohio