As voters from around the First State turned out to vote in person in the state’s primary elections, turnout was slow but steady in many places Tuesday morning.
In Central Delaware, that included the Elks Lodge in Dover.
One of the voters there was Sanford Grimes. He says he makes sure to vote in every election.
“It's important to vote, period, for my category, but my wife and I come out to vote in every primary” Grimes says.
Judy Pierannunzio also voted at the Elks Lodge Tuesday morning. She says this year, she’s looking for change at the ballot box.
“Sometimes you sit back and complain and people don't come out and vote and we need some change,” she said.
For Pierannunzio, the biggest draws on the ballot were races at the top and bottom of the ticket.
“The Senate race, [and] very interested in the state representative,” she said.
The race for US Senate is competitive for both parties, with incumbent Democrat Chris Coons working to fend off three challengers, Jeff Applehans, Eric “No Trump” Hansen, and Mary Louve. Meanwhile, Dr. Michael Katz and John Schulli are vying for the Republican nomination.
Affordability and the rising costs of gas and groceries were on the minds of many voters at the Elks Lodge. One voter, who did not want to give their name, also said crime in Dover and property reassessment were major issues for them
"“Property taxes went up big time, and as a senior, it's just scary.”
In Southern Delaware, voters headed to the polls in places like Lincoln and Milford.
Traditional wisdom and overall trends suggest primary turnout is weaker than what’s seen in the general election, and midterms tend to see fewer voters than presidential election years.
But some voters in southern Delaware, like Joyce Voschell, are committed voters.
Voschll believes voting is an important civic duty.
“I’ve voted every election that I was eligible to vote since I was 21. Q: And how old are you now? A: 92 on Sunday!” she told DPM.
Voschell cast her vote at Lulu M Ross Elementary School, which she says she wanted to do despite needing help in and out of the building.
Voschell says that as far as issues are concerned, cost of living was top of mind when she decided who to cast her ballot for in this midterm election.
Voters, like Darryl Hicks, also made their way to Morris Early Childhood preschool in Lincoln. Hick voted along with at least a dozen other voters in the 10am hour.
He also sees voting as a serious commitment.
"This is my civic duty, to participate in the voting and make sure we get the right candidates in office to counteract some of these politicians… [who] are not doing their jobs for American voters right now," he said.
Hicks says issues on his mind this election are cost of living, quality of life for middle class workers, and Black history being taught in the public education system, something he says is a “huge concern” for him as a Black man.
Voters in Bear and Middletown had clear reasons why they were out on Primary Day in Delaware.
Even though turnout was lighter than usual during lunchtime at both the Bear Library and Middletown High School, election officials in Middletown report a good turnout by early afternoon.
Those out to vote had different reasons.
Some were out because they always vote in elections, while others had specific issues n their minds, like affordability, which was a popular answer among voters on Tuesday afternoon. Many expressed concern about housing affordability, while others pointed to the pinch from rising property taxes.
John Hamrick of Bear had his reasons for voting.
"I mainly kind of just seeing where the state's going with taxes, especially property taxes and stuff. Kind of looking like we're heading in the wrong direction. Especially growing up here around like Wilmington, Delaware the crime needs to come to an end. Something's got to happen about that," said Hamrick.
Another gentleman voted because he says it’s time to do what’s right for the people and not the politicians.
Jackie Santiago from Middletown was among those voting at Middletown High School, and she was enthusiastic about the candidates. She wants to see a good plan for November.
"I definitely think that they were all trying. I'm glad that they were trying. I hope with after the primaries, everyone works to be more strategic, to make sure that we have a strategic approach to making sure that we reach consensus to ensure that we reach overall goals for the greater good of the population in Delaware," said Santiago.
Voting in Wilmington, like other places throughout the state was not busy, but has been known to have strong after work turnout.
Earlier in the day, Democrat Wiliam Galbraith, a small business owner, voted at Joseph E. Johnson Elementary.
He says he does not support the Working Families Party branch of the Democratic party. Instead, he says he door-knocked for House District 6 candidate Ed Mulvihill and supports State Rep. Krista Griffith and State senator Dan Cruce, both incumbents facing challenges Tuesday.
“I just don’t want to see a lot of change that’s going to cost small businesses extra money. We’re already seeing it with raises in wages and I don’t want to see it go over the top," said Galbraith.
Galbraith was among a stream of people coming through one of the busier locations in Wilmington.
Meanwhile, Kami McDonald canvassed outside P.S. duPont Middle School, holding a sign for State Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha.
She says she’s not swayed by political ads and prioritizes candidates she sees out in the community. While affordability is top of mind for many voters, she wants more attention on youth and teen programs.
I would love to see more curricular opportunities for out teenager out here. It’s really scarce. I really don’t hear a lot of people talking about that. It’s nore like taxes this, Delmarva that. What about the kids?" she said.
Democrat Wanda Haines also cast her ballot at P.S. duPont.
She’s unhappy with political division, which she thinks has eroded democracy. She supports candidates that can bring diverse voting factions together.
There’s been a lot of things to change, especially with the economy. We need some calm. This new administration is just the worst of putting a negative tone on us as Americans as a whole. And my husband and I are her to fight that in any way we can," said Haines.
Her husband, Reggie Haines, says he takes his vote seriously, since as a Black man in America his ancestors had to fight for the right to vote.
He’s a disabled veteran and says it’s important to participate in democracy
And so In order to prevent a monopoly from develop where who ever wins the primary is automatic. It’s important to come out for the whole process," said Haines.
More than half of Delaware’s legislative races will be decided in the primaries, meaning half the candidates are unopposed.
Polling places in Delaware remain open until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Once they close, you can find results as they come in here.
