Voter turnout in this year’s election was 71% in Butler County, which is much higher than non-presidential years, but less than the last presidential election in 2020.

Last year’s turnout was 46%. In 2020, during the last presidential election cycle, the turnout was 73%, according to the Butler County Board of Elections.

The polling places in Oxford had steady streams of voters of various ages who passed rows of political signs on their way in.

Voters were excited to participate in the electoral process. Voters at those precincts spoke with the Oxford Observer staff about their voting experiences.

Talawanda High School – reported by Gina Roth and Azul Cook

At Talawanda High School, Erin Hoppe cast her vote for blue. “I’m passionate about the Democratic party so I voted Democratic,” Hoppe said.

She feels strongly about voting.  “It’s our right, it’s our honor,” Hoppe said. “I think the local issues are some of the most important issues.”

Hoppe voted for levy 10, saying that “libraries are essential to our communities.”

Natalie Demarks has been an Oxford resident for four years and voted yes for fire department funding.

“They just need so many more resources,” Demarks said. “That’s what taxes are for.”

Demarks said she is happy she isn’t the only one who turned up to vote.

“I saw people in walkers coming up here to vote,” Demarks said. “ I’m just glad that people are actually coming out here.”

Clayton Miller, a Butler County resident who voted at Talawanda High School, said he felt good about today’s election offerings. “I don’t follow city politics much, but I felt satisfied with the ballots.”

The former Miami librarian made mention of Issue 10 – a library funding levy – saying how important it was for libraries to receive proper funding.  “I worked at the Miami library, which didn’t really rely on city funding. But other libraries need it.”

At Talawanda High School’s election location, Alec Gagnon showed up to vote after informing himself on what was on the ballot.

“I didn’t know necessarily a ton about [the fire department levy], so I tried to do some research on it this weekend. In theory it’s a good idea, but it’s hard to tell exactly how that money is being funded towards everything.”

Gagnon said he was also informed on Issue 12, a mental health funding levy on the ballot.

“I felt the most strongly about … the mental health assistance in Butler County, which I was in favor of, just because I feel like since I think there’s a couple mental health institutions,” Gagnon said.

“Like in the ‘80s, it had a bad rap, so a lot of them got shut down, and it’s not something that necessarily got fully recovered, and I think that there’s a lot of issues that have come from that.”

Bogan Elementary – reported by Oliva Patel, Lily Schlobohm and Maya Svec

Sarah Shoemaker, a permanent resident of Michigan, voted at Bogan Elementary School because she said she felt like it is her right as an American citizen. 

“I just feel like there’s a whole lot of division,” Shoemaker said. “We just need to have as many people vote as possible … That’s what democracy is, the vote is what decides”

The first election she voted in was for former President Barack Obama’s first term in 2009, and has voted in every election since.

“If you live here, if you want to have a say, you have to vote,” Shoemaker said. “If you don’t vote, you don’t have a say … that’s my opinion.”

Shoemaker has lived all over the country, such as Michigan, California and Texas, which she said has shown her many different political environments. 

Paige and John Miller came to Bogan Elementary at around 10:30 a.m., and cast their ballots together, as they have been doing for a long time.

“It’s the way our system works,” Paige said. “Everyone should vote.”

Aside from the presidential election, John said he believed the sheriff elections were the most important, while Paige said the mental health and addiction levy were the most important to her. 

Tanner Campbell, a resident of Darrtown in Milford Township, said this is his first time voting in a presidential election, even though he has been of voting age for past elections. His time in the U.S. Navy is one of the main reasons Campbell turned out to vote today.

“As a service member, I worked pretty much directly down the line from [the president],” Campbell said. “So, you know, I like to make sure that I get to choose who I work for.”

In addition to the presidential vote, Campbell turned out for Issues 1 and 12 and said he prioritizes mental health in his decision at the polls. 

Talawanda Middle School – reported by Molly Keyser

Isabella Cicogna is a Miami Alumni and an Oxford resident who voted at Talawanda Middle School.  

“Issue One, on the Ohio Ballot is really important,” Cicogna said. “I think the fact that it is on the ballot is super important, Ohio voters have a chance to [in theory] stop gerrymandering.” 

Cicogna believes that voting is an important act and is confident that Issue 1 will stop gerrymandering in Ohio. 

“I really hope that Oxford and Butler County voters will come together and not fight over it [election results]” Cicogna said. 

Because the two have different demographics, Cicogna hopes that voters will come together. 

“Hopefully, even if some people aren’t happy with the results of the election, we can still be friendly with one another,” Cicogna said. 

Kramer Elementary School – reported by Vittorio Salotto, Chloe Southard and Maria Almeida

In the late morning of Election Day, Colson Bryan exited the polling station with a message to non-voters. 

“It’s important to vote ‘cause everybody needs to get the way they want the country ran out there,” Bryan said. “Because, I mean, if you don’t vote…it’s kinda hard to not be happy with how the country is ran, because you didn’t give your vote towards what you want it to be like.”

Bryan said he believes the only way to get what you want is to vote, share your voice and look past the tricks and repetition from candidates. 

“I think it should be just black words on white paper,” Bryan said. “Give everyone the policies. None of the commercial stuff where they try to trick ya…just tell us what the person is gonna do and leave it at that.” 

Valerie and J. Elliott walked out of Kramer elementary school holding “Ohio voted” stickers. The couple, both of whom are Oxford residents, expressed ease with their voting experience.

“It was easy as ever,” said J. “More people than normal … no agitators.”

“[It was] efficient,” Valerie added. “And well run.”

The couple agreed the most important Ohio-based issue they voted for was Issue 1. As for national issues, the Elliotts considered the presidency and senate to be important.

“Actually, all of them are important now that I think about it,” Valerie said. “Each of the candidates for state, house, congress and senate are very important.”

The Elliotts emphasized the importance of voting because the United States is a democracy.

“If you want to make things better or the way that they should be, [voting] is your chance,” said Valerie. “Don’t complain if you don’t vote.”

“If you want to have a say, [vote],” J. added. “Plus, you get a sticker.”

Oxford resident Erich Crausc said voting on election day was “faster and easier than I thought it was going to be.”

He said the most important race he voted for on the ballot was the presidential election. 

Crausc shared that voting is important because “if you don’t vote, you can’t complain.” He said it is important to project your voice when you don’t like the way things are in the country. “People should just vote.”

Marcum Center – reported by Kaitlin McDowell and Gabrielle Byrd

For many Miami University students, this election was their first chance to vote in a presidential election, as many students were not of age in 2020. 

“This is not my first time voting, but I have not voted in a presidential election before, because I was underage last time,” Miami University student Thomas Patton said. 

Before casting his vote, Patton researched the different candidates’ plans for the U.S., especially concerning the tax code.

“It is a right we have and I think it is important to express your opinions and feelings about the election,” Patton said about his choice to vote in this year’s election. 

Keara Kelleher, a senior educational policy & psychology major at Miami, hit the polls to vote and stand outside to encourage voting. 

“I came out to vote today because it’s my right to decide who’s making decisions in our country and I wanna impact future policies and changes in government,” Kelleher said. 

Issues that brought Kelleher out to advocate and vote were women’s rights and policies revolving around diversity, equity and inclusion.