New Yorkers Cast Their Ballots Amid Tension, Hope and Historic Stakes
New York City, USA – November 5
As early morning sunlight spilled over the skyline, a palpable tension settled across New York City’s five boroughs. On Election Day, voters lined up at polling stations, driven by sharply opposing visions for America’s future. With Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump locked in a high-stakes battle for the presidency, emotions ran high.
For many, it was a historic moment. For others, a referendum on the political status quo.
New York City, a Democratic bastion, voted overwhelmingly against Trump in 2020, playing a pivotal role in President Joe Biden’s victory. But in this election, the city's political landscape revealed deeper complexities, as divergent voices emerged across neighborhoods—from the working-class blocks of Queens to the progressive corners of Brooklyn and historic Harlem.
Ridgewood, Queens: A Political Crossroads
In Ridgewood, a blue-collar enclave in Queens, 36-year-old hairstylist Adrianne Kuss expressed deep unease as she cast her vote for Harris.
“I feel nervous. Nobody should be undecided—there’s too much at stake,” she said.
Donning pink sunglasses and boots, Kuss cited Trump’s rhetoric on immigration and transgender rights, as well as his declaration to be a "dictator on day one" if re-elected. “As a German American, I’ve got this thing about fascism,” she said. “I don’t want to see that cultish mob again.”
The neighborhood, while diverse, has long maintained a base of support for Trump, who was born and raised in Queens. In 2020, he secured over 26% of the borough’s vote—more than he did in Brooklyn, Manhattan, or the Bronx.
Among his steadfast supporters is 83-year-old retired teacher Alice Kokasch. Voting at her former school, Public School 88, she brushed off concerns over Trump’s criminal convictions.
“He’s not perfect—but who is?” she said. “He didn’t do anything that bad.”
Brian, a 28-year-old Latino immigrant and customer service worker, echoed similar views. “Nobody’s perfect. I focus on what he can do for the country,” he said, pointing to Trump’s economic record as his main motivation.
He did, however, acknowledge Trump’s unwillingness to accept election results: “Most likely not,” he laughed. “I know he won’t accept.”
Inflation, War, and Distrust
Another voter in Queens, 30-year-old construction worker David, cited inflation as his top concern. “The economy’s going to sh**,” he said. “It’s time to drain the swamp.”
David also repeated election fraud conspiracy theories and expressed distrust of a potential Harris win. “There’s a lot of spooky stuff going on,” he said, referencing unfounded claims about stolen ballots in Pennsylvania. “I’m not accepting the results.”
Brooklyn: Hope in Harris
In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a different tone prevailed. At Public School 17, voters trickled in early, some exchanging warm embraces as they prepared to vote.
James Kennedy, a 46-year-old artist, arrived wearing a tie-dye hat adorned with a Kamala Harris button. “I feel pretty nervous,” he said. “I just hope positivity wins over negativity.”
A registered Democrat, Kennedy said his support for Harris was grounded in her defense of reproductive rights. “The way Trump behaves—he’s just unpresidential,” he said, referring to Trump’s role in the Supreme Court's 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade.
“It’s absurd that we’re still having this conversation,” Kennedy added. “We shouldn’t be going backwards.”
Harlem: A Vote for History
In Harlem, Manhattan, African American voters turned out in significant numbers. At EM Moore Public Housing, 98-year-old Eula Dalton cast her vote for Harris, assisted by her daughter, Rose Dalton.
“It was beautiful,” Eula said of the moment, comparing it to Barack Obama’s groundbreaking 2008 election win.
Rose, a court reporter who traveled from Connecticut, explained the importance of the day for her mother, who now suffers from early dementia. “She’s been inactive since Obama,” Rose said. “But today, we knew we had to be here.”
Calling the energy in Harlem “awesome,” Rose expressed confidence in a Harris victory. “It’s historic. Very historic,” she said.
A City on Edge, a Nation at a Turning Point
With over a million ballots already cast in early voting, New York City's electorate remains engaged—but divided.
Supporters of Harris fear regression on civil rights and democracy. Trump supporters, meanwhile, cite the economy, immigration, and global instability as motivations—while many question the legitimacy of the process itself.
As nightfall approaches, America waits. For New Yorkers, this election is not just about a candidate. It’s about the kind of country they want to live in.