'I'm Fearfully Hopeful': Conversations With 14 Women Voters Across the Country
NewsPolitics
As election day looms—inarguably the most important election in modern history—I wanted to know how women voters across the country were feeling. And so I asked them. While 2016 PTSD endures, as does Trump-induced nausea, it looks like for the most part, many of us are hopeful—a welcomed emotion in a bullshit year.
I reached out to women across this nation and on social media, to get a read on their election thoughts. Those interviews follow and have been edited for length and clarity.
Alex, 18, Pennington, New Jersey, University of Vermont student (currently remote learning)
“I feel okay leading up to Election Day. Honestly, there’s just a lot of uncertainty, which is one of the worst parts for me. I think part of me just wants it to be over with while another part is afraid of what could happen. I would say I’m just nervous. Sometimes I feel like ‘Yes! We’ve got this!’ And sometimes I think ‘Oh no, what if we are stuck with Trump for another 4 years?’ So, it really has just been a rollercoaster of emotions.
This is my first time voting in a presidential election (my second time voting at all). I know a lot of people are not pleased with either option, and I can totally sympathize with that feeling. But, for me, this election is about protecting human rights and ensuring that everyone is guaranteed equality, safety, and respect in the next four years. And our commitment to change should not end when we find out who wins in November. The election is a starting point for more action. No matter who ends up winning, it’s important for all of us to continue to advocate for human rights, uplift and support voices of those who have been silenced, and demand action from our elected officials. I also think this election is important because of how involved young people are. In 2016 most of my peers were not able to vote. But now we can and we recognize the importance that our vote holds. Voting will certainly not change everything overnight, but it will send a message and create the groundwork for us to do more.”
Nicole Natalie, 33, Miami Beach, FL, Art Advisor
“I am feeling anxious, stressed, sad and overwhelmed, but still hopeful because I see a lot of action. I see so many people speaking out and not being complacent. I really feel like my vote and the vote in my community can make a difference, especially being in Florida. I hope for great turnouts and I’m trying to be optimistic and not have apocalyptic nightmares.
This election seems more important than ever, so much is on the line for marginalized communities, immigrants, POC, lgbtq+—not to mention respect and dignity. This year has been excruciatingly tough on our country and we desperately need change because cannot continue the way things are going, we need healing.”
Whitney, 34, Nashville, TN, Assistant Property Manager
“How am I feeling going up to election day? Nervous. Nauseous. Sick. Scared. We can’t withstand four more years under Trump. After the 2016 election you can’t be overly confident, or confident at all that Trump won’t get reelected… we somehow failed the last time even though we knew we had it the whole time. The disappointment from the next day has lasted for 4 years now so I can’t let myself get my hopes up. I’m in the mindset of ‘hope for the best but prepare for the worst.’
How do I view the importance of this election? It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! We need a president that is going to unite us, not divide us. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is our only option for unity. It has been nothing but division since day one with Trump, four more years of this man is not an option anymore. Silence is not an option. We have to get out there and vote this time, more now than ever. It is so important to stress to everyone who thinks their vote doesn’t matter… IT DOES! Every single vote counts.”
Lauryn, 18, Los Angeles, CA, Howard University student (currently remote learning)
“Leading up to the election I am definitely very nervous to see the outcome. I think [this] election could really go either way and as we saw with the 2016 election, the polls do not mean much. As someone in Gen Z whose first election is this critical, there’s a lot at stake and I hope my peers know and understand that their voice and their vote, even if the candidates were not their first choice, matters! I really would like to see change in all aspects because so many people are suffering at the hands of politicians who claim to care about their constituents but do not.”
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