The Crimson White took to the polls around Tuscaloosa County this past Tuesday to hear from University of Alabama students about their voting experiences during this year’s midterm elections.
In the state of Alabama, polling locations were open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Tuscaloosa’s sites, particularly the Student Recreation Center, saw shorter lines in the early morning that gradually lengthened as the day progressed.
Outside of the Student Recreation Center, “VOTE HERE” signs and a tent filled with poll workers lined the sidewalk, pointing voters in the direction of the polling booths.
Emma Duell, a sophomore legal history, political science and economics major, hit the polls at approximately 7:45 a.m. Tuesday morning to avoid the “potential rush” at the Student Recreation Center. She described her voting experience as extremely positive.
“Thankfully, I went 45 minutes after the polls opened, and it was super easy,” Duell said.
Although Duell is originally from Indiana, she is registered to vote in the state of Alabama due to her status as an undergraduate student at the University. Duell previously worked as a poll clerk in Indiana during past elections and said the experience was formative to her understanding of what civic engagement looked like beyond voting alone.
“One interesting rule about Indiana poll clerking is that none of the clerks can discuss politics with each other,” Duell said. “On the most polarizing day of the year, the people that arguably are the most politically involved cannot discuss it out of respect for the polls as an institution and for the sake of fairness.”
Duell said that working as a poll clerk taught her how similar people are from “both sides of the aisle,” or varying political parties. As a poll clerk, she said that instead of politics, her fellow volunteers found common ground in topics like their families and favorite books.
“While I would have liked to see more students participating, I am at the same time grateful for the ease in which I cast my ballot,” Duell said.
Lily Harold, a junior majoring in marketing, voted at the Student Recreation Center at approximately 10 a.m. and described her experience as stress-free with little to no wait.
“It wasn’t really busy. There was nobody out campaigning or anything,” Harold said. “Some lady did hand me a democratic [sample] ballot, but I don’t have a problem with that.”
Harold said that she had never had a bad experience voting, and wasn’t quite sure what a bad experience voting would even look like. Similarly to Duell, Harold is originally from Georgia but registered to vote in Tuscaloosa County due to Alabama being “dead last” in education and resources.
As of 2026, the U.S. News & World Report ranks Alabama as #44 for both education and healthcare. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Alabama is ranked #19 for opportunity, with the state’s overall affordability being a major contributor to its ranking.
“We have got to start voting and speaking our mind and seeing what the heck is going on,” Harold said. “I do vote regularly for SGA, homecoming … stuff like that. I think if you don’t vote, then you can’t complain and I love to complain.”
Across town, Marley Goree, a junior majoring in marketing, cast her ballot at approximately 11:30 a.m. at New Life Baptist Church.
Though Goree hails from Madison, Alabama, she re-registered in Tuscaloosa to make voting in this year’s election easily accessible to her. At New Life Baptist Church, Goree said her voting experience was quick, efficient and took a maximum of 15 minutes.
“Everyone who was working and volunteering was so kind and helped direct people to make the process even smoother,” Goree said. “I saw a first-time voter, and [the poll workers] were so helpful to those who had never voted.”
Hunter Strickland, a junior majoring in biology, declined to share with The Crimson White as to where he voted in Tuscaloosa County for safety reasons, but said his experience at the polls was odd as he was one of the youngest people there. He later described his feelings about voting at his particular location as “mixed.”
“The general energy between me and those around me was completely opposite,” Strickland said. “On one hand, I enjoyed the solidarity I experienced among my peers, but going out to vote made me feel some pressure, whether it was intended or not.”
When asked about his thoughts on the importance of college students showing up to the polls, Strickland said that voting is the “least we can do,” as students are the next generation to gain political power with age. He added that it is important for people of all ages to show up and complete their civic duty.
“It isn’t exactly a hidden secret that Alabama has been a conservative majority for decades and it’s up to those residing in the state to use their voice for their concerns,” Strickland said. “Speaking more on the majority, a state that has become complacent in its current form becomes unavailable to change, and this is seen in Alabama’s historically low voter turnout in previous local elections.”
While students interviewed by The Crimson White largely described positive experiences at the polls, unofficial election results show that less than half of Tuscaloosa County’s registered voters participated in this year’s midterm elections.
Out of Tuscaloosa County’s 147,394 registered voters, 63,950 of them cast their ballots in this midterm election, resulting in a 43.39% overall voter turnout. Voter turnout is down 11.8% from the 2024 presidential election, when Tuscaloosa County saw 55.19% of its 154,594 registered voters show up to the polls.
With over 42,000 students enrolled for the Fall 2026 semester at the University, college students make up a portion of Tuscaloosa County’s voting population. For students registered in Tuscaloosa County, voting provides an opportunity to participate in decisions that extend beyond campus.
“It is very important for students to exercise their right to vote because we are the future,” Harold said. “We vote for who we would want to be our future leaders.”
Goree expressed a similar sentiment, adding that many of the policies being discussed will directly affect students. She said that if you have time to vote in SGA elections or for your favorite reality TV shows, then you have time to vote for your country.
“We are given this amazing privilege to vote, a privilege so many people around the world don’t have,” Goree said. “In today’s day and age, we should be exercising our right to vote, and if you don’t, you’re a loser.”
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