Vote to prevent “the end of the world”

(Henrico, Virginia) Two women cried in short order last Monday outside a polling place in Henrico County, Virginia, where they had just cast early votes in that state’s legislative election. split.

“I’m surprised by my own reaction,” admitted the first, Alena Hampton, associate dean for academic and student affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, as she wiped away tears. “When you react like that in front of a complete stranger, it shows the passion that there is around this subject. »

This subject is abortion. This is one of the major issues in the elections which will take place on Tuesday. Currently, Virginia is the only state in the southern United States that has not restricted women’s right to terminate a pregnancy since the ruling was repealed. Roe v. Wade. However, if the Republicans become a majority in both houses of the “Old Dominion” parliament, this will change.

And this change could impact the 2024 presidential election.

“Just thinking about this question makes me emotional,” Ms.^me Hampton, 44 years old.

“Should she be forced to go to another state if she finds herself in this difficult situation?” It doesn’t seem fair to me,” continues M.^me Hampton.

A few minutes later, Jane shed tears as she spoke about abortion and the campaign of Moms for Liberty, a conservative organization accused of wanting to censor certain books in school libraries in Virginia and elsewhere.

“I have been politically active for 20 or 25 years. The fact that we have fallen so low breaks my heart,” said the 42-year-old woman, who asked that her last name be withheld.

An apocalyptic speech

Virginia voters are on edge these days, and not just over the abortion issue. Even if they are invited to elections which in theory only concern their state, they seem convinced of playing an even more important role for the future of their country, even the world.

“I think the prophecies of the Bible are coming true,” said Chris Fox, a Vietnam War veteran and Donald Trump supporter, denouncing the “killing of babies,” the influx of migrants to the southern border and so-called “wokism” in the US military. “It will be the end of the world if we don’t change direction.” »

Democrats are making the same apocalyptic speech.

“I voted for every Democratic candidate on the ballot,” said Carolyn Clouser, a retired investment banker, outside a polling station in Henrico, a suburb of Richmond, capital of Virginia. “Abortion is very important to me, as are gun control and LGBTQ+ rights. And I think it would be the end of the world if Donald Trump were re-elected.

—Would that be so serious?

— I think democracy would end. »

The national media are also taking these legislative elections very seriously. In their eyes, Virginia is a political testing ground, where Democrats and Republicans test strategies and themes that could be decisive not only for the White House in 2024, but also for both houses of Congress.

One of these strategies is deployed by the Republican governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin, elected in 2021 for a single term. This former businessman proposes banning abortion from 15 weeks of pregnancy, which he presents as a “reasonable” compromise.

An ambitious governor

“What Youngkin is offering Republicans is another way to approach the issue of abortion,” explains Karen Hult, a political scientist at Virginia Tech University. “It departs not only from the type of bans that have already been passed in other states, but also from the harsher restrictions proposed by some of the Republican presidential candidates. »

This approach does not sit well with all Republicans in Virginia, where many evangelical Christians would like to ban abortion in all cases. But it could help elect Republican candidates seeking seats in the state Senate or House of Delegates in swing districts, like those surrounding Richmond.

On the eve of the elections, Republicans are in the minority in the Senate, where Democrats hold 22 of 40 seats, and in the majority in the House, where they control 52 of 100 seats.

If Youngkin’s approach helps the Republicans capture the majority in both chambers, this politician elected without the support of Donald Trump will have succeeded in neutralizing an issue that had become a burden for his party since the Court’s decision supreme of June 2022.

A certain fatalism

One thing is certain, the issue of abortion does not mobilize Republicans as much as Democrats, whose candidates are campaigning against any new restrictions. When asked about their biggest concern, Grand Old Party supporters more often cite crime, education or the economy.

“I don’t think things are good right now,” Jeb Crooks, a businessman, said of the economy. “I just think things were better when the Republicans were in power. »

However, he does not describe himself as a supporter of Donald Trump. But the former president will have his vote if he wins the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election.

Many Democratic voters are driven by the same fatalism when thinking about their choice for 2024. “I know Joe Biden is old, but he may be the only one who can beat Trump,” said Joe Foster, a Democratic technician. aircraft maintenance, after voting in advance.

Susan Holmes, a 55-year-old caregiver, knows she will end up voting for Joe Biden, even though she says she is “extremely angry today” at his unreserved support for Israel.

“I’m an American Jew, but I feel sick to my stomach thinking that my taxes are contributing to what’s happening in the Gaza Strip,” she said.

She didn’t cry, but her emotion was palpable.