If voters at Oyster River High School here in liberal Durham, New Hampshire, are excited about voting, it's not because of the candidates on the ballot. Take, for example, Caroline Dishaw, a student at the nearby University of New Hampshire who wrote in President Biden's name.
Asked about the possibility of a rematch between the 80-year-olds, the 20-year-old Dishaw said: “I think it would be terrible.'' “The fact that they are the best players we can scrum together does not paint a good picture for the future of this country.”
Dishaw's friend Ella DeCesare, 19, said she voted for Nikki Haley partly because she is running against Donald Trump. How does she feel about Trump vs. Biden? “Sad.”
Outside, a group of retirees waved signs urging voters to write Biden's name.
“I was a federal employee for 50 years,” said Brenda Murray, 84. She retired in 2019. Unlike many people who say she's voting for Biden because he's not Trump, Murray said the president has done a good job. She also added that she hates President Trump's treatment of federal employees.
Sitting next to Murray was George Wilson, 86, a former real estate agent and Republican. He voted for Trump in 2016, but chose Haley this time because “she has a chance to beat Trump,” he said.
Wilson said he would never vote for Biden, who is too liberal for him. So why was he holding up a “Write Biden” sign? “I have so many friends who want me to do that, so what’s the pain?”
When my hands started to go numb, I headed inside and talked to high school seniors and college students. Some said they would vote for Marianne Williamson. One person said it was Mr. Dean Phillips.
Jenny Maher, 44, said she supports Haley in hopes that things can be resolved without the drama of President Trump. How does she view a rematch between Biden and Trump? “It's a shame. She's the only two candidates who have set some kind of path.”
As voters rushed in and out, one person stood aside and held a placard urging all voters to protest. “I think the candidates currently running, especially Trump, Biden and Haley, are terrible candidates,” said Chase Poirier-McLean, 17. each other. “He's going to be 18 by November and I asked him if he was going to vote.
“Maybe I'll end up voting for Biden,” he said. “I have no choice.”