Early voting is underway and nearly 2 million Georgians have already headed to the polls to cast an early ballot in the 2024 General Election. But while turnout is surging, not all voters are excited about their options in the high-stakes presidential race, where Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump are running neck and neck.
In metro Atlanta, early voting centers have been packed with citizens eager to make their voices heard. Voters say they are motivated by a range of issues, from women’s rights to the economy, but many are casting ballots with mixed emotions.
Despite the urgency many feel about this election, several voters expressed disaffection and frustration with the choices at the top of the ticket — often causing them to identify as independent.
Here’s what eight early voters from Fulton, Clayton, and Cobb Counties had to say on why they voted early, how they’re feeling about the election, and what issues they care about most.
Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
KAREN CHIN
Age: 65
County: Cobb
Political affiliation: independent
Why did you vote early?
I’m going to be out of town on Election Day, so I wanted to make sure I got my vote in.
What are your thoughts on the election?
The last time Trump ran, I was dumbfounded that it was even a possibility – and now here we are, years later, and I’m thinking, how can this be? I just thought it was super important, and I wanted to vote for Kamala Harris. I think it’s a historic thing [for Harris as a woman of color], but she also falls in line with the values that I have.
Have you always voted Democrat?
No, I’m an independent voter. I really try to vote for the person and what they stand for – how they’ve done things in the past, how they’ve been of service. I don’t want to vote for someone who is in it for themselves.
What issues are most important to you?
A woman’s right to control her own body. That’s a huge issue and just treating people with respect — not going to the lowest denominator if you disagree with someone. You can disagree with someone, but you can’t make fun of people. I hope that whoever wins, we can come together and get something done instead of this nonsense of voting against somebody because they’re with a different party.
GREGORY HERNDON
Age: 61
County: Fulton
Political affiliation: Democrat
Why did you vote early?
Because I want my voice to be heard. I didn’t want nothing to happen, waiting until the last minute.
What’s the most important thing to you in this election?
Freedom and women’s rights. Women are the best part of us — they are so strong and can make their own decisions.
What are your thoughts on the election?
I think Trump has shown he wants to be a dictator. Black men and Black women have fought so hard over the last 100 years to get equality to the white man, and Trump wants to take it all back. Then Republicans want to take it all back to where they just run everything. I don’t want to be run back. Progress is slow, change is slow, but I think we can be headed in the right direction.
RICHARD MITCHELL
Age: 72
County: Clayton
Political affiliation: Conservative, leans independent
Why did you vote early?
I voted absentee, but I don’t trust the postal system anymore with all the problems they’ve been having, so I just brought it in today.
What issues are most important to you?
The survival of the Constitution and security of the United States.
What are your thoughts on this election?
This election and the campaigning have been quite cutthroat. It’s a case of if you lean this way [politically], this person’s telling the truth and nothing but the truth – but on the other side, this person is nothing but lies and they’re horrible. So who’s telling the truth then?
Eight years ago and four years ago I was excited to vote, but this time I’m not excited about none of it. There was one thing that ticked me off on Facebook the other day. It was someone at Harris’s rally saying ‘Jesus is Lord’ and she told him that they’re at the wrong place. That does not sit right with me. [The hecklers were reacting to Harris expressing support for abortion rights. -Ed.]
Why are you unexcited this time around?
Even before Joe Biden dropped out, I wasn’t excited about any of it. It just comes down to who’s telling the truth. There are laws in effect that say we call truth in advertising – why doesn’t that apply to politics? They’re advertising themselves, so truth in advertising should apply.
I think we need to fire all 535 members of Congress and start all over. I don’t believe it’s best for an entire government to be run by one side versus another. If one party has control it’s only great for the one party. That’s the reality of it right now and it’s disheartening.
JASMINE BOND
Age: 33
County: Fulton
Political affiliation: Democrat
Why did you vote early?
I recently got married, and I heard there can be issues with name changes. I wanted to make sure, before I actually legally changed my last name, to come here and make sure I didn’t have any issues. I was excited to vote in the presidential race, but also for Nikema Williams. I really wanted to come and support her. [U.S. Rep Williams, a Democrat, represents Atlanta’s Fifth Congressional District. – Ed.]
What’s the most important thing to you in this election?
Reproductive rights for women.
What are your thoughts on the election?
It’s been a movie, and, honestly, it shouldn’t be this low of a bar of politics, polarization-wise. I think that if everything is so polarized, there’s something literally happening every day, and it’s alarming and scary.
ERIC PATTERSON
Age: 56
County: Cobb
Political affiliation: independent
Why did you vote early?
We all have to do our civic duty, even though I’m not in love with either of our presidential candidates. To me, we could change America so much if we stopped raising money for a presidential candidate and said, ‘Let’s take that money and pay the teachers.’
I’m tired of watching all these commercials I don’t want to watch. It’s like torture. I don’t like either of the candidates – to me it’s just the same choices – and, ultimately, they’re all rich people.
What issues are most important to you?
[Trump] should have been charged for the insurrection. We charged him for everything else, but this went against the Constitution. People died — why isn’t that the issue that we all talk about? It makes me feel like the presidency is for sale and that’s sad.
I’m not in love with [Harris] either, but, she’s the lesser of two evils.
What are your thoughts on the election?
We’re not moving in a direction that we need to move in. Why do we not have more [educational funding] programs, when there are people who want to go to college but don’t have a lot of money? It should be more accessible to more people. And now it’s hard for people to buy a house.
DAN BARNHARDT
Age: 46
County: Fulton
Political affiliation: Democrat
Why did you vote early?
To vote against Trump. I didn’t need any more texts or any more encouragement to do so. I also looked forward to voting for Fani Willis for the prosecution of Trump.
What’s the most important thing to you in this election?
Upholding democracy.
What are your thoughts on the election?
Well, I’m satisfied with my [presidential] candidate. I’m shocked that the opposite party would continue to put forward the candidate they did, with all the division.
JAMEKA SAMPSON
Age: 41
County: Clayton
Political affiliation: independent, leans liberal
Why did you vote early?
Work – and I did not want to stand in line on Election Day.
What issues are most important to you?
Women’s rights and LGBTQ rights.
What have been your thoughts on the election?
It’s been … interesting. All in all, was there a candidate all the way for me? No, none of them. I just chose the lesser of two evils.
What about the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates was unattractive to you?
Israel in Palestine. It’s a mess. I don’t think either candidate has the right ideas for that. I don’t know if it’s just to get folks to vote – or they’re just saying stuff now and an ultimate plan will come later – but from what I’ve heard, I don’t really feel any candidate will help there.
BRANDON JOHNSON
Age: 38
County: Cobb
Political affiliation: Democrat
Why did you vote early?
I just wanted to get it done. I didn’t want to worry about the lines on Election Day, but I’m also concerned about bullshit from the right, honestly. So, I wanted to get it done. Voting against [Republican U.S. Rep.] Marjorie Taylor Greene is also always a pleasure.
What issues are most important to you?
Women’s rights. In an ephemeral sense, not getting the fascists in the White House is very important to me. But I have little sisters and nieces who are more tangible and whose lives could be much worse.
What are your thoughts on the election?
Oh, it’s been totally normal. No, it’s been f*cking mad. I was impressed with Biden reading the tea leaves and dropping out when he did – wish he would’ve done it a bit sooner – but I’m even more impressed how Kamala Harris took the alley-oop and just ran with it.
I’m impressed every day with how much gobbledygook Trump gets away with saying and doesn’t get called out for it. It’s terrifying, but I like our chances. The news that early voting broke records here is big. I think if we can get Georgia blue, the path narrows quite a lot. Especially with North Carolina’s GOP just being a f*cking mess. I’m optimistic and scared, but I like where we are at. F*ck Trump, we’re not going back.
Great interviews. Illuminating! I was surprised that one voter was not aware of very specific proposals put forth by the VP Harris for purchasing a home and improving access to education, since these are important to him.
There were no Republicans to be found? wow!