What Were Voters in Littleton Thinking Pre-Election?

Prior to one of most stunning, strangest and wackiest elections many Americans will ever witness, the thoughts of voters were a hot topic of inquiry.

On Election Day at Columbine Library in Littleton, citizens filed into the building of knowledge to cast their pick for who would lay claim to the highest position in office.  Some voters expressed relief that the election cycle was finally coming to an end while others expressed contempt for a system they felt had already decided what the outcome of the election would be.

A long line had gathered inside of the library as the time gap until the polls closed narrowed.  One woman walking toward the library doors was on her cellphone asking somebody, “Who should I vote for for president?” Two ladies were conversing and making their predictions as they left the building; “I’m thinking that Hillary is probably going to win.” Others were clutching their small children’s hands pulling them alongside and urging them to keep pace.

Many voters were glad to be stuffing their tally into the ballot boxes.  A woman laughed and said, “Glad it’s going to be over,” when asked what her overall thoughts were on the election.  A young couple felt that the whole election was “rigged and paid for.”  One man said he was very “anxious about the decision,” which was a common response from voters.  He also felt “anxious about people being turned away” since the line was growing and the wait time was estimated to be about an hour at Columbine Library.

On the other hand, another man explained that a positive note was that businesses in the city of Littleton were encouraging employees to vote.  “People are getting the opportunity to vote,” he said, adding that his business allowed him to take time off to cast his decision.

Adam Dawkins, a journalism teacher at Regis Jesuit High School, declared the election had been “a wild ride.” He offered insight into the current state of journalism, stating that there is indeed media bias from large outlets.  However, he says that he continually tells his students that there is still “great reporting being done” and that we as citizens should take advantage of the wealth of information available to us.  “It’s easier than ever to be informed,” he says.  Mr. Dawkins emphasized gathering information from various sources across the conservative and liberal spectrum.

Whether voters were informed or uniformed prior to Election Day 2016, anxiety appeared in true form this year.  Voters awaited the outcome with uneasiness and excitement; desirous of a definitive answer to who would become the 45^th President of the United States.  All emotion aside, it remains true that we must heed the words of Mr. Dawkins and seek out every possible piece of journalism to aid us in informing our decisions.