Among social media sites, Clark and Cowlitz County voters shared the hot button, deciding factors leading up to voting in last week’s general election.
The Reflector asked voters what ultimately led them to cast votes for one candidate over another in various races, but answers submitted did not include for whom people voted and instead focused on issues.
Across emailed, messaged and commented responses, the “economy” was a main factor for residents of Woodland, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. The Southern border also affected decisions, as well.
A majority of responses in Facebook posts in local groups reiterated Republican candidates’ arguments throughout their campaigns, particularly regarding the Southern border and illegal immigration, which topped their concerns and contributed to their voting choices.
One commenter, who stated he has been a Republican since he turned 18, does not agree with a “tax the rich” movement, as he related the votes to the economy. He said that solution just leads to one of the many problems facing the middle class: price increases to consumers, often met with smaller quantities of product for an increased cost.
Outside of the economy, other similar responses included being “overly taxed” and “government overspending.”
One commenter wished to drastically cut foreign aid and putting U.S. citizens and veterans first and foremost. They also added that the state of Washington needs to manage money better, which led to their choice of candidates in the election.
Combining the topic of economy and immigration from a different perspective, one response took into account what negative effects mass deportations of 10 to 20 million immigrants would have on the economy. They also were critical of President-elect Donald Trump’s tariffs plan on imported goods and how it will affect the economy.
Another person said their LGBTQIA+ status and their race were considerations when they filled out their ballot.
A commenter stated they spent most of their time reading through the ballot initiatives in the voters pamphlet and the profiles of everybody running for state offices. When they reached the presidential vote, they stated that it felt like less of a choice but more of an unfortunate result of a two-party system.
That commenter also stated many subjects and priorities factored into their votes, specifically supporting small businesses, protecting the natural environment, limiting wildfires, supporting well-funded and well-budgeted K-12 education and implementing policies for affordable medical care at the state and federal levels.
