The following interviews were conducted by JOUR 111: Mass Media Environment journalism students Helena Gombas, Emily Graham, Teaira Gray, Rik Guenther, Kayliana McDonald, Andre Perez, Allysa Taylor, Madelyn Waller and Griffin Ward. The initial prompt for all interview subjects was: “What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?”
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. For voter information, including poll locations and information about what’s on the ballot in specific locations, visit the Michigan Voter Information website at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us.
Valentina A., 17, of Hastings, Interviewed by Andre Perez
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: Proposal 3.
Q: And why’s that?
A: It’s a constitutional right and it’s important to let women keep autonomy over their bodies and make decisions that best fit their personal interests, financial needs and lifestyle.
Q: Would you, yourself, vote yes on Proposal 3 and why?
A: Yes, because me being a woman this directly affects me.
Abbigayle B., 21, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Kayliana McDonald
Q: What do you the is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: I believe our most important issue in the upcoming election is social agenda. With both sides being so polarized with views, it is important to consider where each potential elected officials stand, and which bills they support to solve the issues at hand. These days it seems there is no middle ground, and it is important to choose the candidate that most closely aligns with your beliefs.
Q: Do you have any further examples?
A: So, for example in Michigan, we currently have bills in place to protect our constitutional right for access to abortion. In November we are able to vote on this to continue protecting that right. Proposal 3 protects our rights and I believe this is really important. Gretchen Whitmer supports Proposal 3 and without this bill we would not have protection under the Michigan constitution.
Q: Do you have anything else to add? It seems like you are really educated on the topic.
A: Actually, yes. her opposing runner Tudor Dixon does not believe in this right and actively opposes this bill. If she were to win I believe we would no longer have access to abortion and birth control. Voting for candidates like this actively infringes on our human rights
Josh B., 33, of St. Louis, Missouri, Interviewed by Rik Guenther
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: Women’s reproductive rights.
Q: Why are women’s reproductive rights important to men like yourself?
A: I think, that regardless of how one feels about where life “begins,” or other concerns people have with a woman’s right to choose, there is also a greater implication for individual rights for citizens and how far the arm of the government reaches into individual choices.
Q: You mentioned “greater implications” for individual rights. What did you mean?
A: I mean like, how if [women] lose their right to choose, what else can the government strip from [women]? From anyone, really. The implication is that this isn’t a matter of “if,” it’s a matter of “when.”
Q: I see. “Not if, but when” is an ominous timeframe. Final question: What then, is an example of a right that a citizen could possibly lose?
A: For one, men could lose similar rights, meaning forced sterilization. Who gets to decide who gets sterilized, you know? It will probably be the poor and minorities first in some eugenic plan to rid the world of the “undesirable traits of nonwhites.” It’s really disgusting.
Laura C., 35, of Muskegon, Interviewed by Rik Guenther
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: I guess if I were to vote it would be for the abortion laws.
Q: What, specifically, do you mean by “the abortion laws?”
A: I would vote pro-choice.
Q: What does “pro-choice” mean to you, personally as a woman?
A: It means that every woman should have her choice whether or not to carry a baby full term. And in a general sense, men should fuck off with shit they don’t know what they’re talking about. But that’s more personal than political.
Q: Okay, then. Final question, in which ways are men being … the most “troublesome” in women’s affairs?
A: I’ve seen quotes like, “I’m not a doctor but…” There is no but. If [people] don’t know enough to make medical decisions, then it shouldn’t be a political issue: It’s a health issue. Which shouldn’t that be covered under doctor/patient confidentially laws?
Shelby E., 25, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Allysa Taylor
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: I think an important topic to discuss is health care.
Q: Why do you feel that way?
A: I work in health care at the VA here in the Battle Creek, and see so many people that have various health issues, yet can’t afford the care they need.
Q: What are people expected to do if they don’t have the insurance or money to pay for the treatments they may need?
A: Patients are allowed to make payment plans to help them work through the debt that some of these people have. A lot of bills get sent to collections if the bill is not at least acknowledged.
Kathy F., 50, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Allysa Taylor
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: I personally think the most important issue this election is going to be the economy.
Q: Why do you feel that way?
A: People that have good paying jobs are struggling to get by and pay living costs for their families. We cannot survive paying inflated cost of goods, gas, rent, utilities, etc. Mortgage rates are at an all-time high and people are struggling to get by.
Q: How do you think people with a family are going to get by if the cost of living keeps increasing?
A: I think there with be a housing crash, and a lot of people will lose their homes. Which will be devasting, especially to those with families.
Vaughn F., 58, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Helena Gombas
Q: With everything going on lately, what do you think is going to be the most important issues come election season?
A: Economy. Or, real issues or perceived issues?
Q: It’s up to you. Give me examples of both.
A: I think the perceived issues are going to be climate change, reproductive rights and economy. Not in that order.
Q: Alright, okay. Why do you feel that way?
A: Everyone is worried about the dollars they’re spending. They’re getting involved in the world that’s going around them, and just everything going on. Everyone wants to be involved.
Q: What are your main personal concerns for the election season? How do you feel?
A: Economy number one. Abortion rights number two probably, and climate change.
Heather G., 35, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Rik Guenther
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: Are we talking about the state of Michigan, or federally?
Q: Michigan.
A: I honestly think the abortion issue in Michigan is a pretty big one. The abortion [law] repealing, I think, is what they’re doing. Repealing the abortion ban from 1931, Proposition 3.
Q: Why is the proposition personally important to you?
A: Because I’m a woman, I have daughters, I have sisters, I have friends that are women. Everyone should have the right to [bodily] autonomy, and that includes abortion. The fact that we even have to vote on it again after Roe was repealed is insane. It also protects doctors.
Q: In which ways are doctors protected by the proposition?
A: I think it’s because it allows [doctors] to perform legal abortions, protected by this “would-be” law.
Q: Final question. What legal issues would doctors face if the proposition doesn’t pass?
A: If it doesn’t pass, from my understanding, the 1931 law would effectively ban all abortions in Michigan. So, you would have anyone that performs an abortion be committing a crime against this 1931 abortion ban that just never got taken care of after Roe v. Wade and all that. Doctors, whoever knows how to do abortions or attempts them, for women who need them, everybody would be committing a crime.
Duncan H., 24, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Teaira Gray
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election?
A: There is a lot to consider, and a lot of polarizing issues. I’m more concerned with everyone’s rights being stripped away.
Q: Why do you feel that way?
A: I’m most concerned with the whole thing of women’s rights and their choice to have whatever medical procedures they want done. Honestly, I think the human right to choose what you wanna do with your body. So we can protect trans people and women, because those are the people that are the most threatened right now by their current rights being stripped away in several states.
Q: So do you think it’s important for people to vote within their states and not just in the presidential election?
A: It’s hard to say that voting actually does anything, in my cynical mind, but I think it’s important to be aware of the politics on your micro scale and your macro scale. So yes, I think you should be paying attention to who is in power in your own state, even your own city. Even though it might not feel like anything should get done, you still should do that because those smaller factors make trying to get something done on a bigger scale a little bit more obtainable, even if it’s hard to find any good evidence of that working.
Abbie J., 27, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Allysa Taylor
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: I think an important topic to discuss is woman’s rights.
Q: Why do you feel that way?
A: Women should be able to do what they want with their bodies, and what is best for their bodies. The government should not be able to dictate what a woman does with her body in any way.
Q: What type of candidate are you looking for this election year?
A: I am looking for a pro-choice candidate that uses their platform for change, and helps keep not only Michigan but all states a safe place for women.
Stephen K., 17, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Griffin Ward
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: The most important issue to consider this election season I would say has to do with the numbers on inflation currently.
Q: And why do you feel that way?
A: Because I’ve always grown up going to the store with my mom, always gone there, all my siblings tend to stay home and I go with her, and noticing the prices go up, especially coming from a low-income household, noticing how dangerous the prices are getting for people who are in low-income households.
Q: What is something you would like voters to consider in this season?
A: I would like voters to consider the actual integrity of the person they’re voting for. Not only what they’re saying, but if they believe they can actually uphold those promises.
Connor L., 18, of Hastings, Interviewed by Andre Perez
Q: What do you think the most important issue considering this election season will be?
A: I think it’s probably Proposal 3 just because it’s a constitutional amendment. And like, in order to revoke that later in the future there is a lot of governmental process that has to go into that. But I think really it’s just because of all that is included within Proposal 3 whether or not we, as citizens of Michigan, wanna support all of it and we need to do our research.
Q: Do you think Proposal 3 will heavily sway, one way or another, how this election season will go whether it’s passed or not?
A: I think it will say heavily, yes, and I think in terms of the importance of it within the ballot I think Proposal 3 and voting for the governor are the two most important things.
Q: Would you yourself vote yes on Proposal 3?
A: Yea, I think I would.
Q: Why’s that?
A: Just because abortion is a big heath concern and the amount of times that a woman might need an abortion considering her health outweigh the abortions that may seem irresponsible in peoples’ eyes.
Samantha M., 16, of Delton, Interviewed by Madelyn Waller
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: I would say women’s reproductive rights.
Q: Okay, why do you feel that way?
A: I feel like it is a really big issue right now that a lot of people are focused on, and I think if the wrong person gets in power it will affect a lot of people in a bad way.
Q: Do you think that your viewpoint on this subject will ever change?
A: I do not.
Jodi N., 55, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Emily Graham
Q: What is the most important issue to consider in the upcoming election season?
A: I would say the economy.
Q: And why would you say that’s the most important issue?
A: I think that that is the issue that affects the majority of people across classes, even though it has the largest effect on the middle class, which, you know, is a large portion of the working class folks that are struggling more than the other end of the spectrum I think.
Q: Is there anything that could be said or done at this point to sway your opinions?
A: I’m pretty firm. I think there has been a lot of opportunity leading up to this that could’ve swayed me, but I haven’t really seen action that has swayed me from most of my positions which I would’ve had going in anyway. I find myself kind of unsatisfied with where things are, but still voting in a similar way as I would have if I were satisfied. The alternative is worse.
Christian O., 18, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Teaira Gray
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election?
A: Rising tensions across the world. Like, I don’t want to hire someone in or swear someone in that’s not gonna help in that front or make it worse. Because that would suck, because it’s getting worse and I don’t want to see it get worse here.
Q: Get worse here in what way?
A: Like I don’t want war to come to America, especially not right now. We’re already dealing with enough problems.
Q: Do you think that whoever we elect should delegate that more?
A: Probably, yeah.
Victoria O., 29, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Kayliana McDonald
Q: What do you the is the most important issue to consider this election season
A: I think that women being at risk of losing their rights as individuals is the biggest problem.
Q: Why do you feel this way?
A: Because it’s not up to anyone but me. What I decide to do with my body is no one’s choice.
Q: Is there any specific group of women that you feel this targets directly?
A: Women as a whole, obviously, but especially women in their late teens to mid-20s.
Diana P., 40, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Kayliana McDonald
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: Obviously abortion rights.
Q: Why do you feel this way?
A: Well, I feel this way because with the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade that seems to be the trend. Regardless of whatever religious side you’re on, obviously some human rights issues are being overturned that they’ve had for a long time.
Q: Who do you think this has the biggest effect on in the long run?
A: I’d have to say unfortunately the more poor woman will be effected by this the most. Clearly there’s a lack of resources.
Alexys R., 21, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Helena Gombas
Q: With everything going on, what do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: Everybody’s talking about abortion, so I guess that.
Q: Why do you feel that way?
A: I feel it’s a little obvious. We’re women. And literally all of the mail I’ve been getting is about abortion policies.
Q: Do you feel this will be the most important deciding factor come elections?
A: I don’t know, but it’s definitely going to be up there.
Elijah R., 19, of Hastings, Interviewed by Griffin Ward
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: Well, a lot of political candidates are running their campaigns mostly on inflammatory issues. Like, issues that they’re kind of just making an issue in order to create fake competition between each other. So like, for instance, within a lot of conservative circles they’re calling trans people pedophiles and groomers and creating fake problems in order to generate outrage and get more votes. I feel like that’s an enormous issue because if they didn’t do that they probably wouldn’t get nearly as much traffic. It’s the same on both sides.
Q: Could you explain to me why you feel this way about this particular topic?
A: I see a lot of completely and totally outrageous things online about people that are like me. It’s really disheartening, and it really does a lot to self-esteem when you hear people like talking about how you’re “grooming children” just by existing in a space that happens to also be occupied by children.
Q: What is something you would like for voters to know in this upcoming election season? What’s something you’d like them to think about?
A: Think about their fellow person with kindness and respect instead of apprehension and anger.
Emily S., 16, of Plainwell, Interviewed by Madelyn Waller
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: Abortion, for sure.
Q: Why do you feel that way?
A: It is a very hot topic at the moment and I feel like it is very important to consider this in the coming election season.
Q: How do you feel about this topic?
A: I believe that it should really be okay and that it is not up to the government to decide what is best for my body.
Q: Do you think that your viewpoint on the subject will ever change?
A: Probably not.
Grace S., 18, of Albion, Interviewed by Helena Gombas
Q: What do you think is going to be the most important issue this election season?
A: I feel like everything with the Roe v. Wade is going to be a big thing. Like abortion rights and everything like that will be a big thing in women’s rights.
Q: Why do you feel that way?
A: I feel like reproductive health is an important thing. I feel like it’s an important thing that a bunch of old men shouldn’t get to decide, and that it shouldn’t be a thing where this is what you have to do, you don’t get a choice. But there’s circumstances where that’s not always it.
Q: Okay, based on that, how do you feel about the candidates running?
A: I don’t know who they are. I like one, I don’t like the other.
Harrison S., 18, of Hastings, Interviewed by Andre Perez
Q: What do you think the most important issue considering this election season will be?
A: Definitely Proposal 3.
Q: And why do you feel this way?
A: I feel like women’s rights, reproductive rights, first and foremost, will be the most controversial topic this election season.
Q: Do you think you yourself would vote yes or no on Proposal 3, and why?
A: Yes, because mainly the health of the mother is the most important thing. I don’t want to criminalize doctors for trying to help people. I think that would just be the most horrible thing.
Nicole S., 50, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Emily Graham
Q: What is the most important issue to consider in the upcoming election season?
A: This year, I think the most important thing that I’m concerned about is protecting democracy and making sure that everyone who has the right to vote is able to. That’s the primary thing on my mind, but I’m also motivated by reproductive freedom for women and other traditionally liberal ideas such as common sense gun control, protecting the environment and ensuring education and health care for all people.
Q: And why would you say that is the most important issue for you?
A: The last few years have been kind of scary and there are people on the very right extreme that really seem to want to elect a king or a God or disregard actual democratic elections. They also cheat. Things like gerrymandering and stuff really concern me, so I think that yes, protecting democracy in America is the number one issue for me.
Q: Could anything sway your opinion in either direction during this election?
A: Unfortunately, probably not at this point. I’ve always voted this way and every year in politics what happens seems to push me further in that direction and I’m more entrenched in it. I wish that I was more open to both sides where I just vote strongly democratic. It’s interesting because I’m not a one-issue voter, it just happens to be that the Democratic Party lines up with my thoughts on all sorts of issues.
Sierra T., 23, of Bellevue, Interviewed by Griffin Ward
Q: What do you think is most important to consider this election season?
A: For me, personally, it is women’s right to choose. It’s something that we’ve had a lot of women in politics fight for, and ever since RGB died it was always something of a concern in the back of my brain, but now it’s an actual like, “hey, this is important,” and it’s kind of a big election to make that final and make sure that’s part of, at least, Michigan’s constitution. So that’s a big one for me.
Q: Why do you feel so passionately about this?
A: I believe that regardless of how you feel about your own personal beliefs, whether you would have an abortion yourself or whether that’s something you’d never do, you don’t have the right to control what other people do with their body, and that everybody should have the option to make that choice if they feel so. And it’s one that I don’t know if I’d make a choice for myself, but I want it to be an option. I don’t want it to be taken away from me just because I’m not using it. So, yeah, don’t tell people what to do with their body.
Q: What is something you’d like to say to potential voters about this issue?
A: I’d say: Take all of your biases, take your religious, political, whatever it is bias out of the way and think about other people. Really think about the women who can’t afford another mouth to feed or women who are utterly terrified to have a child because they’re in an awful relationship or they’ve been abused. Really consider someone besides yourself and think of the people who really need that right.
Belle W., 16, of Battle Creek, Interviewed by Emily Graham
Q: What is the most important issue to consider in the upcoming election season?
A: I would probably have to say women’s rights.
Q: And why do you feel like this is the most important issue?
A: Because Roe vs. Wade was overturned and I believe that it should not be.
Q: Is there anything that could be done at this point to sway your opinion?
A: No, because I feel really strongly that women deserve the right to manage their reproductive organs without external interference.
Keegan Z., 17, of Delton, Interviewed by Madelyn Waller
Q: What do you think is the most important issue to consider this election season?
A: I think that student loans are out of hand. I saw some people saying tax the rich more, but I think that the way that the government would go about it is they would end up taxing the middle class more rather than the rich. So I think that if we could tax the actual rich, like maybe a bracket, like maybe like $800,000 and above, and use that money towards decreasing interest rates for student loans, we’d be in great shape.
Q: Why do you feel that way?
A: I feel that way because a lot of kids are not able to go to college because of how expensive it is. Not just those who have single parents or are a minority but even an average American.
Q: Do you think that your viewpoint on the subject will ever change?
A: Probably not.
