Voices Of The Voters: Three Weeks Until The Primary

The West Virginia Primary Election is three weeks away. Government reporter Randy Yohe took to the streets to gauge voter concerns and readiness before they head to the polls.     

During lunch hour in downtown Charleston, Yohe asked the same election-related questions to random men and women on the street — voters like Mia Mucheck, from Cross Lanes, who said her political decisions are generational.

“What about looking at some of these campaign TV ads that we’re seeing,” Yohe asked. “Do those influence your vote at all,” 

“Not me,” Mucheck said. “I’m too much a part of the younger generation to let something like that sway me.”

On the other hand, Charleston’s Steve Downey said he knows just how he is going to vote and why.

“What issues are you concerned about,” Yohe asked Downey. 

“I think economic fiscal responsibility is important to me,” he answered. “I think that’s probably one of the most important things that I focus on. I’m a huge capitalist. I believe in capitalism and want to see that continue.”

Akash Begala from Charleston said he wants his candidates to focus on the regular Joes and Janes.

“The state offices. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, any particular thoughts on those,” Yohe asked. 

“I’m looking for someone who feels like they care about the people of West Virginia,” Begala said. “Some of the other elected officials that we’ve had. It’s been a lot of focus on big businesses, and just big businesses and what can we do to help them, but not so much on what we are doing to help the everyday residents of West Virginia.”

Taylor Davis from Charleston said she has a single voting influencer.

“Have you decided on who you’re going to vote for when it comes to some of the big state offices?” Yohe asked her. 

“No, I have not,” Davis said. 

“What’s going to help make that decision?’ Yohe asked.  

“My husband,” she said after some careful thought.

Charleston’s Emily Bissell said she doesn’t do candidate research like she used to.

“Have you made some decisions on some of these big state offices and who you’re going to vote for,” Yohe asked Bissell. 

“In the past, I would say yes, I have done a lot of research,” Bissell said. “Now, It’s kind of you just see who the D and R is next to what name, and I don’t like that.”

And finally, there was Charleston’s Brett Walker.

“The West Virginia primary is three weeks from today. Are you registered to vote,” Yohe asked. 

“I don’t vote,” Walker said.  “How come,” Yohe asked.  I’m a Democrat and this is now a Republican state,” Walker said. “You’re not going to win anyway.”