CAMILLUS, N.Y. (NCC News) — Alejandra Montgomery recently moved to Camillus from New Mexico in 2021 to start a family in her fiancé’s hometown.
One thing that worried her the most was the continuously growing political divide that she sees in the United States. So much so, she was almost scared to go out and vote.
“I was scared someone would do something violent,” Montgomery said. “I was apprehensive about bringing [my daughter]. But she needs to see it, and she needs to see why we go out and vote.”
She said that moving across the country was hard and expensive, something that she is still trying to financially recover from.
“I’m scared all the time. I work overtime every single day at the utility company and I’m struggling. Struggling. If it wasn’t for her father being an iron worker, we wouldn’t be where we are at all,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery is also very worried about the government and the people running the country. She urges everyone to vote, no matter the size of the race.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Camillus voter from New Mexico is concerned about family’s well-being on Election Day
Fintan O’Brien: Tonight, voters across Camillus and Fairmount have one thing on their mind: the economy.
Chris Glahn: Just the cost of utilities going up and, you know, gas prices and electric bills.
Thomas Connors: I mean, I definitely notice it a little bit, but a lot of people I work with or other families that we interact with, you know, I can read it on their faces; they’re struggling.
O’Brien: And while most people’s financial hardships stem from groceries and gas, other people are struggling with paying rent, with some voters in Camillus blaming a housing shortage.
Samantha Roberts: I’d say, the housing crisis. They need to build more houses. They need to have less red tape to putting up new housing.
O’Brien: There are several things that Republicans and Democrats just simply cannot agree on, but one thing that I saw today is that if you want to make a change, you have to go out and vote.
Matt Tanchick: It’s our civic duty to be here to make sure that our voice is heard.
Glah: Just being a part of society and trying to do your best. It’s like every vote counts.