Bellingham voters consider which issues matter most as election day approaches
In Downtown Bellingham, the Arts District has a few benches where locals convene for conversation and a smoke break. On Oct. 7, Jimmy Estep and Banshee sat at these tables in the late afternoon as the cool October wind blew in from the bay, typical for fall in Bellingham.
Estep, an artist living in Bellingham, said this is an important election for a few reasons.
“On one side you have hope, light at the end of the tunnel, and on the other side you have a sexual predator, a felon and a traitor,” Jimmy said. “You know what MAGA means? Make attorneys get attorneys.”
He feels that voters are uninformed; he describes the current situation as an information silo.
Issues such as Roe v. Wade being reinstated and a fair election are of great importance to him.
A referendum on fascism and white supremacy
Next to him sits Banshee, a delivery driver, accompanied by his small dog, Winnie the Pooch. Banshee, like Jimmy, hopes that the election can reinstate Roe v. Wade. In addition, he hopes to see a “blue wave” and the removal of the electoral college and gerrymandering.
“This is not an election; it is a referendum on fascism and patriarchal white supremacy,” Banshee said.
He said major media must figure out how to deal with lying and misinformation.
Climate, abortion and democracy in America
In Fairhaven, the fall sun shone brightly on Brian and Patti Voeller, as they sat on a bench facing the Village Green. The Voellers moved to Bellingham in May from Missouri.
This year’s election is important to them, they said, because of the environmental crisis, abortion access and keeping democracy in America.
Both shared their concerns about how the global climate crisis has impacted them and their families back in the Midwest.
“Growing up we would only have one or two tornadoes a year; now we are always packing a bag for the next one,” Patti said.
Brian shared similar feelings and worries about the climate crisis.
“We need to not be flooded, we need to be able to breathe,” he said.
Patti said she appreciates how much voting information Washington has available, compared to Missouri. She likes that voters have access to politicians’ statements and voter pamphlets.
Patti said the move to Bellingham was influenced by the political and social views that people in the area hold. She recounted a visit to Bellingham in November of 2023, when seeing pride flags and Black Lives Matter signs moved her. She said she feels that Bellingham is welcoming to all, something she is thankful for.
Voting with faith in humanity
“Hell, yeah, I don’t know why you wouldn’t,” Meighan Aylesworth replied when asked whether she was voting this year. Meighan works as a bartender and server in Bellingham.
She said that, unlike other people who feel this election is doomsday, she has faith in humanity to do the right thing.
For her, the cost of living is an important issue this year.
“I looked at how much Spam cost today, and it was $4.25,” she said. “It used to be $2.”
She hopes that this election will result in the possibility for a livable income for all.
Fear of open borders, censorship, disarmament and illegal immigration
At a sunny table in Bellingham’s Marine Park sat “J.” (He requested anonymity for his personal safety and his career.)
He described the Democratic party as extremely corrupt, comparing it to the Nazi party. He said that the Republican party has issues of its own, but not the same level of corruption.
The issues he worries about this election include open borders, promotion of censorship, disarming civilians, and illegal immigrants being more valued than American citizens.
J said he blames the Democratic party for poor business and economic actions that have resulted in what he describes as “tent cities.”
As a business owner, he said, he supports Trump because he also has business experience.
He said he sincerely hopes this election is systematically fair and legitimate.
“As Americans, we all want the same three things,” J said. “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
— By Peyton Perdue