As the nation voted in a fiercely contested election Tuesday, Callawegians were eager to make sure their voices were heard.
"We've had a couple who haven't voted since Reagan," said Carrie Smith, a poll worker at the Edith Benskin Community Center in Calwood.
Of Callaway County's 29,100 registered voters, 21,251 cast ballots in the general election - a total voter turnout of 73 percent, according to unofficial results from the Callaway County Clerk's office. (Official results will be certified in about two weeks.)
That number exceeds participation in both the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, at 67.9 percent and 65.2 percent respectively - older turnout data isn't available on the county clerk's website. Reflecting a national trend, more than twice as many Callaway County voters filled out absentee ballots in 2020 versus 2016. The Callaway County Clerk's office counted 4,536 absentee ballots this year, compared to just 1,698 in 2016.
More residents were registered to vote during this election than in years' past, too: The county has added 425 additional registered voters since 2016.
At the Fulton City Hall polling location, poll workers cheered each time a first-time voter checked in.
"We've always done that here - gave them a shout-out," Jackie Pritchett said. "We've had a lot of first-time voters come through today. It's exciting."
She said when polls first opened Tuesday morning, the line was out the door.
Brennan Donohue, of Fulton, was among the first-timers. He said he'd been old enough to vote in previous elections, but this is the first time he's chosen to do so.
"With everything going on right now, it's important for my voice to be heard," he said. "I think everyone's voice should be heard."
Donohue declined to say who he'd favored in the presidential election - "I typically don't like to talk politics" - but added he does plan to vote in future elections too.
Upstairs at City Hall, Mayor Lowe Cannell noted the steady stream of voters.
"It's great to see voter turnout; it's really fantastic," he said. "I don't ever remember seeing it as busy as it as today."
In New Bloomfield, Hanna Jones said she doesn't usually participate in elections, but said she felt her generation had the chance to "affect what happens" this time.
"In the past, I felt like my vote didn't matter," she said.
Deep divisions
Voters who spoke Tuesday to the Fulton Sun reflected a divided nation. As of Wednesday evening, no winner had emerged at a national level in the presidential election. However, President Donald Trump was a clear favorite in Callaway County, earning 69.7 percent of the vote, versus Democrat candidate Joe Biden's 27.6 percent.
"I think we need a businessman leading the country, instead of a yes-man," Fulton resident Terry Smith said.
Smith did express worries that even if Trump wins, he'd "talk and text and get himself into trouble. He's his own worst enemy, sometimes."
Other Trump voters said they preferred his stated stances on gun rights and abortion.
"I hope Trump does more of the same," Tom Testerman, of Fulton, said. "Like gun rights, maybe he'll do more for that. And maybe he'll get veterans something instead of letting the immigrants (have it)."
Jason Hopkins, of Calwood, said he's not a registered Republican or Democrat, but voted for Trump because he feels Trump's "more in support of liberties."
"The constitution is a big thing for me," he said, adding that he also has a religious objection to abortion. "Trump happens to be more in line with those ideals."
Two voters told the Fulton Sun they'd voted for Trump in 2016 but now favored Biden.
Calwood resident Pam Trammell said she's been a lifelong Democrat but initially voted for Trump because she felt Hillary Clinton had too much baggage and Trump's business acumen could be valuable.
"I voted for Trump last time around, but I've never seen anything like this," she said. "I don't blame him from COVID-19, I blame him for not informing us about what he knew. We've lost so many people. And just his hatred. We need to love one another and come together as a country."
Mandi Gardner, of Fulton, an independent, expressed regrets about her 2016 vote.
"Unfortunately, I'm one of the people who helped vote Trump in in '16," she said. "Originally, I wanted someone who's not a politician - someone who's for the people."
Gardner said Trump has done "some good things," but she's concerned about his tendency to alienate allies. She was also excited about Biden's plans to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act.
Some Biden voters expressed fears about what could happen to the nation if Trump won another term.
"I think Trump's an existential threat toward our country," Fulton resident Sarah Hardy said. "I genuinely believe this is the most important election of my lifetime."
Though most voters focused their comments on the presidential election, a few mentioned interest in the gubernatorial race as well. Incumbent Mike Parson defeated his challengers both statewide and in Callaway County, with 70.4 percent of Callaway County voters favoring him, versus 26.4 percent for Democrat challenger Nicole Galloway.
"I hope Parson gets it again - I think he did a good job," Smith said.