Transient Workers Unlikely to Sway Votes On Local Measures | Video

Evan Kruegel | 11/6/2012

One major question at the polls today was how large the turnout would be from transient workers in the area. But there was also a question of just how educated these workers would be on the local issues they were voting for. Blake Desjardins and J.J Stautner have only been in North Dakota for a few months, so when they took to the polls this morning, they weren`t terribly concerned with local measures on the ballot.

“I’m just voting for big picture stuff, haven`t really paid attention to the local stuff going on”, Said Stautner. Desjardins agreed.

"Big picture only."

Their opinions were shared by many of the transient workers I spoke to, many of whom plan on only being in North Dakota for a limited amount of time.

"I`m more of a big picture guy, local...eh, not so much. especially since I`m not planning on being here a long time", Said Dalton Leilun.

While some of these workers declined to research the local ballot measures, they still felt it was in their best interest to establish residency in a new place, and cast a vote. One of those was Mike Doheny, a new arrival to Williston.

"I`m from New Hampshire, been here about a month and a half now. I just think it`s important for everyone to get out and vote, it`s a right that we as Americans have, and it`s just something that everyone should do"

Many of the men I spoke to said they planned on leaving the local measures on the ballot blank, so although they weren`t fully aware of the local issues, their presence is unlikely to sway the results.

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