Family traditions, faith, and concerns about everyday expenses were among the reasons Sioux Center voters headed to the polls Tuesday.
Sioux County Radio spoke with voters at Terrace View Event Center about what motivated them to participate in the midterm election and what casting a ballot meant to them.
For Enrique Felipe of Sioux Center, no particular issue prompted his trip to the polls. He simply wanted his voice heard and said people should participate regardless of their political affiliation.
Fellow Sioux Center voter Matt De Jager said he felt called to vote and believed his choices could make a difference. He said everyone’s opinion matters, and no particular contest motivated him to participate.
Ryan Govig, youth pastor at New Life Church in Sioux Center, described voting as an opportunity he wanted to put to good use.
“Well, it’s something that my mom has always encouraged. We have a voice. We might as well use it. And I’ve been praying about it and just hoping that God will somehow, someway use my vote.”
For Tim Truesdell of Sioux Center, Election Day brought back memories of casting his first ballot at 18, when he voted in the 2000 presidential election, and the sense of importance that came with that experience.
“And now, as a father, I have two kids who are also 18 and older who are voting for the first time, and the excitement that they have is really cool.”
Truesdell also said the attention surrounding this year’s election was hard to miss. Between news coverage, campaign mailings, and text messages, he felt there was added energy around the midterms.
Other voters were still relatively new to the process themselves. Emily Lira-Rosales of Sioux Center first voted in 2024 and returned this year with a desire to stay involved. Asked what she had learned from her first election, she emphasized preparing before arriving at the polls.
“I think it’s important to do your research on every single candidate and every single thing that’s listed on the ballot.”
Micah Vande Vegte of Sioux Center was also voting for the second time. He said he had done more research and talked with friends and others about the election, including discussions about Christian values. He viewed voting as a way to do his part and have a say in who holds office.
State and local races also gave voters reasons to participate in a year without a presidential contest.
Rebecca De Vries of Sioux Center said voting was always important to her. She pointed to the governor’s race and local contests as particular interests and said casting a ballot allowed her to weigh in on the people and issues that mattered to her.
Frank Regnerus of Sioux Center identified the governor’s race and U.S. Senate race as important reasons to participate. When asked about other motivations, he pointed to household expenses.
“Gas, groceries, fuel. I mean, everything, health care, health insurance, and everything is getting so high.”
The experience at the polling place also drew praise. Govig expressed appreciation for the election workers and said the line moved quickly. Truesdell said workers explained the process clearly and made sure he saw confirmation that his ballot had been successfully submitted before he left.
