How voter pride and belief in democracy influence voter turnout

Americans voted in their millions on Tuesday, some with high hopes, others with fear – all with a sense of civic duty.

Doctors and delivery drivers, airline and restaurant workers, software engineers and retired teachers, long-term and first-time voters lined up to cast their ballots in a presidential election that has captivated — and divided — the nation for months.

Amanda Baldwin was determined to cast her vote despite showing up at the wrong polling place in Cobb County, Georgia. The 35-year-old restaurant worker was late for work on a cool, dreary morning, but didn't miss a chance to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.

“We haven’t had a female president,” she said. “I think it’s time.”

In Pennsylvania, 83-year-old Ed Capinski waited in a long line at an elementary school in Lower Pottsgrove to vote for Donald Trump. He said he believes the former president can unify the country better than Harris and he trusts Republicans more than Democrats.

“I really believe there was a lot of fraud by Democrats in the last election in 2020, and I would listen to what Republicans say about this election,” he said.

A first-time voter casts his vote with his father

In Reno, Nevada, waiting voters applauded after workers presented first-time voter Tyler Hilliard, 18, with a certificate marking the occasion. Hilliard, accompanied by his father, was first in line and the first to vote at Washoe County's electronic voting machine. Minutes after the polls opened at 7 a.m., Hilliard was done. “I’m proud,” Hilliard said. “I feel like I'm lucky that I have the right to vote.” Hilliard said he is still dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and voted for candidates who he believes promote mental health would best support.

In Florida, 25-year-old Maria Labrador also took part in her first presidential election.

Labrador, who grew up in Puerto Rico, said she voted for Trump after researching the candidates.

“I used to be very left-leaning and I kept looking for more information and I realized that my values didn't align with the Democratic Party at all,” Labrador said at a polling station in DeBary. “I feel like our values are just out of whack.”

“I just want America to stay good, great as it can be, and better as it once was,” she said. Tim Hilliard, 47, watched his son with watery eyes and said he was proud of his son for waking up early to vote.

The elder Hilliard, a chemical operator, said he had voted by mail before and was confident his ballot was properly tracked and counted. He said watching his son vote strengthened his belief in democracy. “Oh man, you're talking about a proud moment,” he said. “It’s one of those stepping stones as they grow up.”

“We could be the voices that count”

Nevada is one of seven states that could determine the US presidential election. Voters from there, as well as Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin and Arizona, voted knowing their vote counted.

At the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in Nevada, tribal member Aiyana Isham accompanied her 25-year-old husband, Kindel Isham, to vote. Aiyana Isham voted early and said she hoped many young people would vote.

In Pennsylvania, Linda Page, 72, of Pittsburgh, said there were more young men in line at Ebenezer Baptist Church in the city's historic Black Hill District than four years ago – and they were already waiting before 7 a.m

“There was never a long line in this area, but they wanted to vote,” she said. “They wanted to vote today.”

Nevada's 90,000 tribal voters represent nearly 4% of the state's total electorate, and tribal officials encourage members to participate. The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony lies within the boundaries of Washoe County, considered a major swing county in a swing state. “Growing up on the reservation, I know a lot of people think, 'What does it matter, my vote doesn't matter?'” Aiyana Isham said.

“Your voice is really important,” she said. “We could be the voices that matter for Nevada.”

But will Americans accept the election results?

Hilliard's father and son said they had not discussed who they would vote for and both said it was important to accept the results, regardless of the winner.

“I think we have to accept the results either way. I wish legislators would learn to compromise,” said Tim Hilliard. “Until we can get through this red-blue mess, we won’t learn what compromise is.”

Ann Barkasi, 67, of Pottsdown, Pennsylvania, said she has voted in every election in her life and is ready to bring the country together.

“I care about women’s rights, democracy and the cohesion of the country,” she said. “There is so much hate. I was standing in line in front of someone today and the things they said were cursing and there's no need for that. We should love each other. I’m a Christian and there should be more of that,” Barkasi said.

In Nevada, 19-year-old Zackery Kuhns of Reno said he voted for Trump because he believed the former president was best suited to help him make enough money to support his family.

“You make the best of the worst decisions,” Kuhns said after casting his vote with his mother. But he said he would accept the results whoever wins: “They won fairly through democracy.”

April Rivers voted at the Islamic Culture Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 24-year-old entrepreneur said she suspects some people will not accept the 2024 results, including Trump, but she is confident about Harris' chances.

“I know God has the final say, so I know he won’t let anything happen that shouldn’t happen,” Rivers said.

Conchita Kluengling, 61, voted for Harris at Grace Lutheran Church in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Whatever the outcome, she hopes Americans respect the results.

“We have no choice but to accept that we all cast a vote, and like everything else, there is a win or a loss,” she said. “You may not win today, but we have four more years and then we can try again.”

Stop the onslaught of political advertising

There was one thing many American voters could celebrate: the end of political advertising.

“We’re just ready to move on,” said Jacob Kossler, a 24-year-old software engineer who voted at the Cobb County Civic Center in Georgia.

“I’m just ready to stop seeing these ads 24/7,” he said. “I'm just trying to watch a football game without having to see two commercials in a row… and hearing that someone is the devil.”

The 2024 federal election is expected to be the most expensive ever, with nearly $16 billion in spending, according to OpenSecrets.org, a nonprofit that tracks money in U.S. politics.

In Pennsylvania, 42-year-old Pranav Patel wouldn't say who he voted for when he cast his ballot in Warrington Township Monday night. But he grew weary of the reach of both campaigns.

“I think there are too many calls, too many personal ads, personal calls,” he said.

Patel showed USA TODAY more than a dozen missed calls he received from campaigns in the two hours before his election.

“This isn’t going to make me change my mind about who I’m going to vote for,” he said.

Featuring: Aysha Bagchi, Phillip M. Bailey, Deborah Barfield Berry, Trevor Hughes, Erin Mansfield, Dinah Pulver and Sarah Wire

How voter pride and belief in democracy influence voter turnout

A first-time voter casts his vote with his father

“We could be the voices that count”

But will Americans accept the election results?

Stop the onslaught of political advertising

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