*Reporting by Ellie Rockoff and Madey Lynch
Syracuse N.Y. (NCC News) — Lucas Jenkins approached the polls with a voter registration card mailed, with a fake name, to his address, which only added to his skepticism of the election process. The card was real, but someone used a fake name and claimed Jenkins’ address as his own, said Jenkins.
Jenkins, 46, showed up to vote today despite his qualms with the 2020 Presidential Election.
“…it seemed like it was just forcefully taken from a lot of people. Whatever the result is, the result is, but it just seemed so fishy,” said Jenkins.
He thinks the economy, foreign policy, and the border are issues that would be best handled under a Trump administration.
“Kamala hasn’t laid out any sort of clear direction – it’s mostly pandering,” he said. “I’d like to not be spoon-fed bullcrap by the government.”
These concerns are why Jenkins has voted nearly every year since he was 18.
Jess Lindgren showed up to her polling site in a “Be Kind” t-shirt and sparkly pink sunglasses, ready to make her voice heard. Like Jenkins, Lindgren views voting as a civil duty.
Before the last 10 years, she only voted in presidential elections. But now, she votes whenever she can. “It’s important for everyone to have a voice and participate,” said Lindgren.
“I view it as a form of community service. I’ve learned a lot about how important even local things like your school board are,” Lindgren said.
Kate Oja, 42, feels Harris is the candidate who embodies these ideals.
“I think she has a lot of energy. I think she has a lot of foresight…one of the biggest things I noticed was how positive she was this whole race, while the other candidate spoke very negatively about everything and anything,” Oja said.