St. Thomas students and St. Paul residents voted at St. Thomas’ McNeely Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 8 to participate in their civic duty as the importance of the midterm elections has grown stronger over the years.
Many of the voters in the morning were neighborhood residents, but St. Thomas students began pooling in after their 8 a.m. classes finished.
“Doesn’t matter which side you’re on, there’s always things that can be better,” St. Paul resident Amanda Thomas said.
Many people voted on a few key issues affecting Minnesota and the nation as a whole. Abortion rights, school funding, the economy, climate change and COVID-19 were on some voters’ minds as they marked their ballots.
St. Thomas first-year Sophia Mertensotto, believes that students should vote so they can have a better connection to the community they live in.
“It’s important because you get the students’ voices out, too,” Mertensotto said. “Sometimes I feel like at school you’re so disconnected and focused on your own world here, but I think it’s important to be aware of what’s going on in the community and have a voice in that.”
Voters from around the community were focused on building up the future for residents as well as maintaining a calm and quality neighborhood.
St. Paul resident Bradley Gordon said “trying to maintain the funding for public programs and schools, and helping try to keep the quality and build equanimity in our communities,” are what he was voting for in this midterm election.
St. Thomas senior Cooper Parham was eager to have the opportunity to take part in the elections and vote on issues that are important to him.
“I just was excited to vote, and I hope people go out and vote,” Parham said.
Joe LaPorte can be reached at lapo7605@stthomas.edu.
Adam Mueller can be reached at muel7541@stthomas.edu.
The photographer needs a raise!