By — Marc Levy, Associated Press Marc Levy, Associated Press By — Mike Catalini, Associated Press Mike Catalini, Associated Press By — John Hanna, Associated Press John Hanna, Associated Press By — Calvin Woodward, Associated Press Calvin Woodward, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/voters-on-the-left-and-right-fear-the-america-theyve-known-is-slipping-away Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Voters on the left and right fear the America they've known is slipping away Politics Nov 2, 2026 2:14 PM EST The stakes in Tuesday's elections are so high that Shane Dunn voted for the first time in his life, at age 65. After a career as a cook up and down the East Coast, Dunn moved to the Philadelphia suburbs and voted last week in Levittown. "I was always a busy man," he said. But now, "I'm learning what's going on within our country and this is actually what brought me out." Democrats got his vote. "It feels great, to put my word in," he said, patting his "I Voted" sticker. Voters across the United States are getting their word…
Voters on the left and right fear the America they've known is slipping away
In short
Across the political divide, citizens are casting ballots amid growing alarm over cultural changes, economic strains like gas prices, and bitter national divisions. These upcoming races will decide governors' mansions and the balance of power in Congress for the remaining two years of Donald Trump's presidency. The intense environment is pushing previously disengaged citizens of all generations into voting booths to shape the country's trajectory. In one instance, a 65-year-old Pennsylvania resident turned out to cast the very first ballot of his life.
Key points
- Heightened political stakes are motivating first-time participants across multiple genera…: Heightened political stakes are motivating first-time participants across multiple generations to cast ballots.
- Voters on both sides are driven by economic pressures like gas prices and deepening natio…: Voters on both sides are driven by economic pressures like gas prices and deepening national political divisions.
- Some conservative voters back the Republican Party for its manufacturing and fiscal polic…: Some conservative voters back the Republican Party for its manufacturing and fiscal policies despite personal reservations about Trump's conduct.