BACKING THEIR BALLOTS

THE PEOPLE Paper talked with voters at polling places around the city Tuesday about whom they voted for and why.

Kim Odom, 51

Party affiliation: Democrat

2008 vote: Didn't vote.

Tuesday's vote: Obama

Why: "Because he's a good guy, and he does a lot for us."

Most important issue: "Economy, because [Obama] is helping out with the economy as much as he can."

Ronald Odom, 55

Party affiliation: Democrat

2008 vote: Didn't vote.

Tuesday's vote: Obama

Why: "He did a whole lot, for one, when he brought the troops back home."

Most important issue: Economy. "It's going backwards almost," he said, stressing the need for new jobs.

Leslie Cornish, 24

Party affiliation: Independent

2008 vote: Obama

Tuesday's vote: Obama

Why:"He's a better candidate. We all know the country has some issues, and I think at this point he may be the best person to guide us through them."

Most important issue: "Education is probably one of the biggest reforms that we need."

Shari Reed, 31

Party affiliation: Democrat

2008 vote: Obama

Tuesday's vote: Obama

Why: "They let Bush be in office for so long, and he messed it up. So why not give [Obama] a chance?

Most important issue: "Everything going on in our neighborhoods. Around here, there aren't that many places I can take my kids to play that I feel safe."

Lisa Dragic, 20

Party affiliation: Republican

2008 vote: Too young to vote.

Tuesday's vote: Romney

Why:"With the health-care bill, I don't agree that [getting health insurance] should be mandated."

Most important issue: "The debt that we're in is $16 trillion and our [debt] as college students is like $50,000 a piece, so that was really important for me, for future generations."

Lihua Xu, 59

Party affiliation: Democrat

2008 vote: Obama

Tuesday's vote: Obama

Why: "He already has experience from four years, and . . . he's young. . . . This country has big problems, so we need an energetic person to handle that."

Most important issue: Education. Obama's plans reflect what she wants to see happen in future education policy. "He will do his best for this country."

Dylan Peer, 22

Party affiliation: Independent

2008 vote: Obama

Tuesday's vote: Obama

Why: "Actually I want to vote for [Libertarian Party nominee] Gary Johnson Jr. , but I'm not going to because I want my vote to actually have an impact. I'm voting for Obama because I don't think Romney should ever run this country, based purely on foreign policy alone."

Most important issues: "I have a gay roommate, so I definitely think that's a huge issue, and that's another reason I'm voting for Obama."