The following is a brief survey of voters at the polls throughout Kennebec County Tuesday. They were asked: How important is this election to the nation and state, and why?
Scott Hickey, 22, West Gardiner
Party: Unenrolled
Employment: Professional horseshoer|
Voted for president: Gary Johnson
Comment: “It’s pretty important, I guess, to get us back on the right path eventually. The economy is not as good as it should be. Hopefully it turns around so jobs will start picking up and people start getting back to work.”
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Heather Veilleux, 22, Hallowell
Party: Republican
Employment: Owns event and planning fundraising business
Voted for president: Mitt Romney
Comment: “The local politics is more motivation for me to vote. In Hallowell, Will Guerrette and Sharon Treat is a big thing for me. I think that starting at the state level we make a difference.”
Jane Gilbert, 65, Augusta
Party: Democrat
Employment: Retired deputy commissioner of labor
Voted for president: Barack Obama
Comment: “It’s critical. It’s the direction that we’re going forward in the future. I absolutely believe we need to continue to do the positive things the president has done. … The president’s support of gay marriage is very important to me personally.”
Don Suitter, 66, West Gardiner
Party: Republican
Employment: Retired from chief of security at the State House
Voted for president: declined to say
Comment: “It’s no more important than any other election. Every election is important and you’ve got to exercise your right to vote. I vote every election.”
Tara Richwalder, 20, Farmingdale
Party: Unenrolled
Employment: Student at University of Maine at Augusta
Voted for president: Barack Obama
Comment: “I think it’s important. I think everyone should put their opinion in, even if it’s not heard. I’m definitely voting because I don’t like Romney’s view on women, that he should pick their medical. Obama wants women to handle that, not himself — not male politicians.”
Emily MacDonald, 18, West Gardiner
Party: Unenrolled
Employment: Student at University of Maine Augusta and works at Kennebec Valley Humane Society
Voted for president: Mitt Romney
Comment: “It’s important because it’s our country. I think we need something better for the economy than what’s been happening, so the election is very important. I’m worried about the national debt, too.”
Butch Johnson, 68, West Gardiner
Party: Democrat
Employment: Retired school teacher
Voted for president: Barack Obama
Comment: “I really don’t think it amounts to much at all. I don’t think with the electoral votes and so forth, in West Gardiner that the people are going to make a bit of difference. I’m sick and tired of the politics that have been on TV. I’m just tired of it. I’m glad it’s over.”
Dianne Neptune, 52, Farmingdale
Party: Democrat
Employment: Owns a contracting business
Voted for president: Barack Obama
Comment: “We have a lot going on in the country. We have a lot of jobs riding on this election, the state of the economy. I believe the outcome is going to determine a lot of the future. I believe that Obama’s done well in his four years.”
Sean Finn, 37, Randolph
Party: Democrat
Employment: Truck driver for Oakhurst Dairy
Voted for president: Mitt Romney
Comment: “I’m a Democrat, but I kind of went a little bit different this year with some of my votes. … The main thing was the presidential race. I’m dissatisfied with the way things have been going. I’m a veteran myself. I was in the Army for eight years. I like a president that’s going to support our troops and our country. I don’t feel the job is being done at this time.”
Miriam Webber, 20, Farmingdale
Party: Unenrolled
Employment: Student in cosmetology school in Augusta
Voted for president: Barack Obama
Comment: “I’m mostly here for the presidential election. I want to vote Obama and also yes on (Question) 1. I definitely wanted to make sure I got my vote in.”
Ray Boucher, 81, Augusta
Party: Unenrolled
Employment: Retired construction worker
Voted for president: Mitt Romney
Comment: “I want to change presidents. I don’t like the one that’s in there.”
Edward Rowe Jr., 64, Farmingdale
Party: Republican
Employment: Retired landscaper
Voted for president: declined to say
Comment: “It think it’s very, very important. We definitely need to improve the conditions that exist in the present day.”
Barbara Kaiser, 72, Randolph
Party: Unenrolled
Employment: Retired from small store ownership
Voted for president: Barack Obama
Comment: “I voted for Obama. I feel he needs more time. You can’t do it in four years. I do not like the other one who’s running. I would not vote for him anyway. … Question 1 was important, too, but I do believe everyone needs to vote.”
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