JACKSON, Wyo. — Teton County residents got candid about why they chose to vote on Tuesday, Aug. 21.
Buckrail spoke to voters after they cast their ballot at the Teton County Recreation Center and Teton County Library during the primary Election. The issues that brought people to the polls included including women’s rights, traffic, sustainable growth, climate change and education, but the pervading issue that stood out for most voters was the need for affordable housing.
Beppe Amodio, a 28 year old resident, told Buckrail that “housing is and will always be important, at least to people in my demographic.”
Hope Maloney, who lives at the base of Snow King, said that “voting is important in a small town where voices really matter.”
“Housing of course is a huge issue for everyone in town, but traffic, transportation and sustainable growth are also issues that affect most people,” said Maloney.
Voter Heather Smith said that she votes for people who represent her personal values.
“I like voting for female candidates and people who support a woman’s right to bodily autonomy,” Smith said. “It’s not a local issue but it feels very important and intertwined.”
Judd Grossman came out to vote with his daughter, Esther Grossman. Judd is a registered Republican while Esther is a Democrat, positions they said have led to many heated discussions.
“There are topics we avoid in the family,” Judd said. “If we all agreed it would be boring. We’d sit around nodding.”
“We keep each other on our toes,” Esther added.
Esther said that she came out to vote because she wants education services to be more readily available to those who need them.
“I’m really into the library,” Esther said. “I think it’s important to have spaces where young people can come and be young and playful. I’m looking for candidates who are talking about those kinds of services, especially early education, that’s what drew me the most.”
Judd told Buckrail that he is concerned with the unsustainable growth in Jackson.
“I want to limit population growth as much as possible,” Judd said. “Anything that makes Jackson grow and change. Limited growth is my main issue.”
Delfa Garcia is also concerned about the town’s recent growth and she hopes that her vote will actually make a difference.
“I am concerned that the community has grown too fast over the past couple of years and I think voting today will support the County Commissioners to do a better job.”
Looking ahead to the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Hoback resident Abigail Horton encouraged other young people to get out to the polls.
“Think about what you value with the way the country is now and if you care about it staying that way or care about it changing, then you need to vote,” Horton stressed. “There’s no excuses to go fight for what you want.”
Longtime local Liz Prax added,“I really wish everyone would get out and vote.”
