Braving the wind and rainy conditions, Rogers Park voters went to the polls Tuesday morning to cast their ballots for the 2024 presidential election.
For many Rogers Park residents, the reason for voting is simple: to prevent a second term for former President Donald Trump.
“I’m terrified that orange thing is going to run our country again,” said Rose, a 23-year-old who lives in Rogers Park.
Rose, alongside her roommate, first-time voter Ray Wright, showed up at the Rogers Park Public Library to play their part in electing Vice-President Kamala Harris.
“I am hoping to secure my future,” said Wright. “And hopefully, we will not lose any type of human rights this election because that is kind of hanging in the ballots.”
Across the room, Ricardo Molino’s positive energy fills the polling station as he takes photos with his “I Voted” sticker.
“I feel fantastic,” said Molino. “I am going to make sure Donald Trump does not get elected. I can’t stand that man.”
Molino said he came out to vote for Kamala Harris to stand up for the LGBTQ+ community in Rogers Park, a group he has been a part of for four years.
According to CBS News, in the final months of his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump has spent more than $19 million on anti-trans campaign ads.
“Donald Trump is definitely not a part of the LGBTQ community,” said Molino.
Jess stands in line down the street at Living Water Community Church, waiting to cast her ballot for Kamala Harris.
Jess, a long-time Rogers Park resident, feels strongly about voting in every election but says this presidential election feels different.
“I just feel like Kamala’s campaign is the best democratic campaign I have seen in a long time,” said Jess. “The most in touch and responsive to what people are wanting to see.”
Jess says that Vice President Harris’s campaign gives her hope, and she feels strongly that Roger’s Park residents will continue to come out to the polls and cast their ballots.
Rogers Park has supported the Democratic Party for the past two presidential elections; according to FiveThirtyEight, in 2016, nominee Hilary Clinton received 86.1% of the vote, and in 2020, President Joe Biden won 89.3%.
With only a few hours before the polls close, Rogers Park residents continue to line up and make their voices heard in the 2024 presidential election.
While proudly displaying her “I Voted” sticker, Rose states “I am cautiously optimistic.”
