Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported. But at the voting center in Coronado throughout the day on Tuesday, voters seemed divided on which presidential candidate they were voting for.
Brian, 33, and Sage Trainor, 26, said they voted for Donald Trump because they believed in his handling of military affairs during a previous presidential term.
Stephanie Price, 38, said she cast her ballot for Kamala Harris out of fear about how Trump might treat women and the LGBTQ+ community.
And so it went, as hundreds lined up outside the polling center at Coronado Public Library, then exited wearing “I voted” stickers.
The Trainors, island residents for a year, said Brian is ex-military and they have Navy friends, so they were drawn to Trump’s handling of military operations.
“I think for the most part, we do vote conservative – regarding gun laws, abortion laws and military operations,” said Sage Trainor. “We considered what we’ve heard from our friends who are SEALs as far as how Trump has handled military moves over his four years versus how they’ve been handled over the past four years.”
Paul Savage, 76, a retired Coronado resident, left the polls wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat. While he’s listed as an independent, he said that when Trump runs, he votes for him.
“He has kind of a developer’s mentality and that mentality is to get something done that does good,” said Savage.
Price, 38, said she was turned off by Trump’s policies toward women, and by a presidential agenda created by Project 2025, a group that supports the former president. So she cast her ballot for Harris.
“I’m voting for her to protect women’s reproductive rights,” said Price. “I’m also queer, and the opposing side has a lot of LGBTQ stuff on the docket for Project 2025, which is terrifying. Kamala is just incredible as opposed to Trump.”
Overseen by the conservative Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 is a detailed blueprint proposed for the next Republican president to execute. Some of those propositions have been speculated to roll back rights for LGBTQ+ Americans, including a call to reverse policies that allow transgender people to serve in the military.
Trump has worked to distance himself from the document, even calling some of the proposals “abysmal.”
Many of Harris’ supporters at the voting center on election day, predominantly women, echoed similar sentiments to Price, appreciating Harris’ advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and her policies geared toward protecting women’s bodily autonomy, while expressing concerns for what the future may entail if her opponent is elected.
“The alternative is so dark and so black,” said Mary Davidson. “All of my ancestors would be turning over in their grave if I voted for Trump.”
Supporters of the former president, meanwhile, talked of having unwavering confidence in his leadership.
Robert Weichelt, 58, and his wife Carla Weichelt, both voted for Trump – with Robert calling their vote the “common sense” choice.
“The border — big deal. Fentanyl – unacceptable. The economy needs to roar again,” said Robert Weichelt.
Daniel Sullivan, 54, also voted for Trump for his policies surrounding the border and economy, as well as national security.
Paul Mallory, 36, a registered Democrat, casted his vote for Trump in line with that viewpoint.
“I think it boils down to leadership,” said Mallory. “I don’t think Kamala’s very strong. In the time that we had Trump, we had no wars.”
Of those interviewed by the Coronado News, there was a relatively even split amongst presidential support – but what unified most of the voters was an overarching disdain for their candidates’ opponent.
