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Economy, debt among voter issues in Oak Park, River Forest
The line of voters waiting to get ballots sometimes stretched into the hallway at Oak Park Village Hall on Tuesday. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: November 9, 2012 8:46AM
OAK PARK — The economy was the main issue on the minds of Oak Park and River Forest residents at the polls this past Tuesday.
“We need the economy to be in a better place,” Oak Park resident Amber Richey said. “That’s why I’m here voting.”
River Forest resident Una Bechtel believes the economy has improved during President Barack Obama’s term and so she voted for him again on Tuesday.
“People complain about where the economy is, yet don’t vote,” Bechtel said. “It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Many voters on Tuesday believed it was their civic duty to be a part of this election. Many commented on how they believe voting is an important part of living in this country.
“Being able to vote is the best part of living in a democracy,” Oak Park resident Antonio de Silva said.
For Oak Park resident Alissa Gibson, Tuesday represented her first election.
“I feel like an adult,” Gibson said.
De Silva said managing the federal debt was another reason he decided to come out and vote.
“I hope whoever wins will be able to help crawl us out of the debt,” he said Tuesday.
De Silva also mentioned how he agrees with Republican Mitt Romney that the Affordable Care law needs to be repealed.
“I don’t agree with Obamacare,” he said.
Another topic discussed by voters Tuesday was taxes.
“Our taxes are getting out of hand and I hope that change is due to this election,” River Forest resident Meredith Fernandez said.
Fernandez also discussed environmental issues.
“I feel that improving the environment should be at the top of the priority list,” she said. “We need to focus on fixing global warming now.”
Fernandez believes Obama takes environmental issues more serious than Romney and therefore voted for Obama’s re-election.
