With only one poll booth running for grace period registration most of Tuesday, voters at the Carbondale Civic Center were waiting hours to cast their ballots if they registered the same day.
At the entrance, poll workers were telling same-day registrants they would have around a three hour wait to vote. First-time voters Alexis Durr and Alyssa Peterson were near the front of the line at 5 p.m. when they told the Daily Egyptian they had been waiting four hours to vote.
“I was really busy and didn’t have the time,” Peterson said, referring to grace period registration and early voting. “And then I also have my school address and my home address and – I don’t know – it was complicated.”
Omar Tochimani, a junior studying automotive technology at SIU, said he thinks the school could have done a better job preparing students for the election.
“I was told I wasn’t able to vote if I’m not in my county, and I was told about like an hour and a half ago I was still able to register for Jackson County, even though my state ID has my home address,” he said. “I feel southern Illinois could have done better letting the students know that they could still register to vote for Jackson County without change of address, so I feel this falls a lot on the chancellor and SIU itself, because a lot of this could have been avoided if they let students know ahead of time, ‘Hey you can register to vote for Jackson County without change of address.’”
According to University Director of Communications Kim Rendfeld,
CIVIC CENTER | 5
Editor’s note: This edition has been updated from the print edition to correct date errors
Southern Illinois Republicans gather to watch election results
Ross and his son Brandon
Illinois. Enan Chediak | @enanchediak
ryan Grieser rGrieser@dailyeGyptian Com
Members of the Perry County Republican Party gathered at the Grecian Steak House in
Pinckneyville, Illinois, to take in election results.
While there wasn’t any question who the attendees voted for, there was a differing sense of security
surrounding a Donald Trump victory.
“That’s always a concern,” Mike Fisher said.
“It could be either or,” Penny
Hawk said.
While Fisher and Hawk were uneasy about whether Trump or Kamala Harris would win, Jessie
REPUBLICANS 7
Cervantez and Cascio-Hale tie in state attorney race
morriGan Carey mCarey@dailyeGyptian Com
Jackson County election results released early Wednesday morning show state’s attorney candidates Joseph Cervantez and Marsha Cascio-Hale tied with exactly 10,805 votes each.
Both candidates attended watch parties in Murphysboro on election night. Cervantez, as well as other Republican candidates like county coroner candidate Kent Arnold and Circuit Clerk candidate Chris Maynor, went to Brews Brothers Taproom. Cascio-Hale went to the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall less than 500 feet away, along with Democratic Circuit Clerk candidate Christian Hale, who is CascioHale’s husband.
Spirits were high in both candidates early election night, and Cervantez was leading most of the night by 20% with just over 25% of registered voters in the county, compared to 69.41% total voter
TIE | 3
Jerry
Ross drink a beer and watch the polls at a watch party Nov. 5, 2024 at the Grecian Steakhouse in Pinckneyville,
Rep. Mike Bost defeats Democrat
Brian Roberts, winning another term
AnnAlise schmidt Aschmidt@dAilyegyptiAn com
U.S. Rep. Mike Bost has secured another term to represent Illinois’ 12th Congressional District following his victory over Democrat Brian Roberts.
Bost, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2015, was re-elected after advocating for issues like veterans’ services, infrastructure and energy policy. His re-election reflects continued support in the district, which includes Jackson County and a wide portion of southern Illinois.
In a written statement released by Bost at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, he said, “The polls are closed and I am thrilled to announce we have won our race by a wide margin! This election was about standing up for our shared conservative values with a message that resonated in every corner of our district.”
Looking at the race results, Bost told the Daily Egyptian, “I’m feeling good, you know, especially my race. Several national news networks have already called the race in my favor. Our numbers are coming in pretty well where we expected them to.”
AP called the race for 12th Congressional District in Bost’s favor shortly after polls closed in Illinois.
Bost attended a GOP watch party at Brews Brothers Taproom in Murphysboro. He arrived just after declaring his victory to meet with friends, families and other Republican supporters.
In a speech, Bost said, “First off, thank you all for being the Republican supporters that we need in Jackson County and for working as hard as you all have for our candidates that have worked.”
Bost acknowledged the tough political landscape in Jackson County and
expressed optimism about the outcome.
“Trust me, I know how tough Jackson County is, and we’re going to continue to work to change it, and I will tell you we’re early in the night, and I think we’re going to see some numbers that are going to come in,” he said. “It’s going to make us very, very happy.”
The congressman also turned his attention to national races, noting early positive trends for Republicans.
“On the national scene, let me tell you that things are looking very, very good for the presidency,” Bost said. “They really, really are numbers that we didn’t see four years ago, are shining, and some of those are surpassing those we saw eight years ago. So it’s going to…still be a long night, but we hope that President Trump will prevail.”
Bost also highlighted his efforts to focus on maintaining a strong majority in the House.
“It looks like we are going to…keep the house. Question is, what level are we going to stay at?” Bost said.
To hold a majority in the House, 218 votes are needed. When Bost first started, Republicans had a solid majority of 242 votes under Speaker John Boehner. Now, the majority is slimmer, with about 222 votes. He said that even gaining a few more seats, like reaching 224, could make a big difference in how the party operates.
Bost said that the Senate would likely remain Republican; however, “now the question is, will the Senate be a one-vote, two-vote or three-vote majority?”
He reiterated his belief in conservative values, and said, “Our ideas and principles are right. To take our nation back.”
Bost said that the ideas of the current Democratic Party are nothing like the nation he was raised in. He drew attention
Southern Illinois remains red in a blue state
Voters in southern Illinois went to the polls to cast their votes for the presidential candidate of their choice. Although Illinois is a blue state, the southern counties went predominantly Republican after the polls closed on Nov. 5.
As of Wednesday morning, the majority of the votes were Republican with 68.8% of votes being for former President Donald Trump. Democratic votes came to 29.9% of total votes in the county for Vice President Kamala Harris and independent votes came to 1.3%. Jackson County ended with the majority of votes — 50.9% — going to the Democratic candidate and 47.7% going to Trump.
“Basically, we used to be a
Democratic Party stronghold,” said John Jackson, visiting professor at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. “Jackson County, certainly the Metro East area, Alexander County, really all of the counties that border on Jackson, especially Perry and especially Franklin and … usually Union. So, anyway, we were a Democratic stronghold,” Jackson said.
Hardin County ended with the majority for Trump with 80.4% and 18.5% for Harris. Massac County ended with a majority for the Republican Party, 74.0%, and 25.2% for Harris.
“We elected Paul Simon. We elected, before that, Kenny Gray. And now it’s just totally flipped over,” Jackson said, naming two former Democratic
representatives from southern Illinois. “As you know, (Republican) Mike Bost is not being heavily challenged and hasn’t been any time lately and is undoubtedly going to win big. And so the only thing I can say is, we changed from blue to red just like the South did, except we lagged the South by about 10 or 15 years,” Jackson said.
Gallatin County ended with the majority of votes for Trump with 76.1% and 22.1% for Harris. Saline County had the most votes for Trump at 73.9% and Harris with 24.8%. Following a similar pace, Pope County had 79.6% votes for the Republican candidate and 19.5% for the Democrat.
“I’ve been watching CNN, and
candidates, we just have to make sure in Jackson County that the votes are counted correctly,” Bost said. “We love Murphysboro. We love Jackson County. We love the state of Illinois. We just gotta make sure it pulls in the right direction.”
Throughout his race, Bost said he traveled to help republican congressional candidates Juan Ciscomani in Arizona; Ken Calvert in California; and Dan Newhouse in Washington state early on in the process, as he is chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs committee.
The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is responsible for overseeing the Department of Veterans Affairs. It plays a role in recommending legislative changes to improve, adjust or refine laws related to veterans’ benefits.
to the ideological shift in the Democratic Party, and framed the political divide as one between different values.
“The argument was between labor and management,” he said. “Now it’s between the woke, and those of us who still just want to hold the nation; they want to raise our children and be able to guide them in the way that is right in this nation.”
In order to steer the nation in the direction he wants, Bost said, “We want to make sure that our dollar goes farther. We want to make sure that our borders are secure, and we want to make sure that our enemies fear us and our allies respect us.”
Bost also took a moment to show his pride for his district, speaking fondly of the community and his appreciation for their ongoing support.
“Thank you for your support of myself and every candidate in this room, because I’m telling you, we have great
Bost said, “The voters of the Illinois 12th believe in me enough to send me back, and I’m so appreciative because this truck driver’s son from here in Murphysboro, being able to serve the people and do it in the committees I serve on, which is Ag Committee, which is the second largest employer in my district, and then transportation infrastructure where I came from, but also serving as a chairman of the VA committee is vitally important to serve our veterans.”
Looking ahead, he outlined some of his key legislative priorities after his reelection.
“Even after the election, before we actually go into lame-ducks, there is a very, very special bill. It’s vitally important for us to move, and that’s called the Elizabeth Dole Act that allows for an increase of funding to caregivers for our veterans,” Bost said.
Bost explained that the act includes multiple provisions to support veterans, bundled into a larger package that has
U.S. Rep. Mike Bost gives a speech on stage, while his wife, Tracy Bost, and grandkids watch at Brew Brothers Taproom Nov. 5, 2024 in Murphysboro, Illinois. Libby Phelps | @libbyphelpsphotography
turnout. This lead narrowed to 15% with 43% of registered voters counted at 9:30 p.m.
Results stalled at 9:30 p.m., according to the Jackson County Clerk’s Office, as grace period voters were still waiting in line to vote in Carbondale. Official updates weren’t released until 1:58 a.m. Wednesday, when results showed that the two candidates had tied exactly.
Cervantez expressed pride in his
campaign’s message of competence and common ground beyond party affiliation.
“We don’t have to follow the lines of Washington politics,” Cervantez said at the watch party. “I think my message has hit home. I see my signs in new places this year, next to Trump signs as well as next to Harris signs.”
Cascio-Hale said she was proud of her campaign’s accomplishments, watching Cervantez’s lead shrink but not willing to draw any conclusions at her results
watch party.
“We had a good campaign,” CascioHale said. “I’d like to thank everyone for their support and the work put into this election.”
Jackson County Clerk Frank Byrd clarified the procedure for determining the winner of the election. Mail-in ballots postmarked by Nov. 5 will still be counted for the next two weeks; a demographic of voters Cascio-Hale, a Democrat, has led over Cervantez, a Republican, by 40%, according to
election data released by the county clerk’s office.
“The thing of it is, it’s a close race and there’s usually a 5% difference and they can ask for a discovery, which means that they want to recount,” Byrd said. “Of course, that’s something that they have to pay for, but that’s up to the candidate, and then we move forward on that.”
Cervantez said that the chances of such a result are “ridiculous.”
“The reason why it’s hard to believe is because there’s such a stark contrast
between us,” Cervantez said. “You’re talking about an individual who has never done a trial, who has never been a prosecutor aside from being a political appointee. I think it’s just a matter of having a really strong turnout in Carbondale.”
Cascio-Hale declined to comment when reached out to on Wednesday.
Staff reporter Morrigan Carey can be reached at mcarey@dailyegyptian.com
A Jackson County resident votes in the General Election as the American flag sits at rest behind them Nov. 5, 2024 at the Civic Center in Carbondale, Illinois. Alexis Lessman | alessman@dailyegyptian.com
Hale takes the position of Jackson County Circuit Clerk
Mylee Walker @MyleeWalkerWrites
Democrat Christian Hale overcame Republican Chris Maynor in the Jackson County Circuit Clerk race by just over a thousand votes for the 2024 General Election. Hale won with 52% of voters as of early Wednesday morning on Nov. 6.
Hale, a Murphysboro native, was deputy circuit clerk for the county for over a decade.
“I’ve been doing this work for 13 years,” Hale said. “I love the work with the judges and attorneys. I love giving back to the community.”
Maynor is a veteran who was born and raised in southern
Illinois who said he wanted to focus on community outreach.
According to Maynor’s website, he is focused on getting out into the communities and ensuring accessibility for all communities.
Hale also said he wants to keep the same pace as outgoing circuit clerk Cindy Svanda, who served the office for 28 years and endorsed the
candidate through an open letter written to Jackson County residents.
“I want to continue the standard of excellence that has been established these past years,” Hale said.
Staff reporter Mylee Walker can be reached at mwalker@ dailyegyptian.com.
Amy Wilson-Dallas wins Jackson County Coroner’s race
Mylee Walker
@MyleeWalkerWrites
After results for Jackson County Coroner were finalized early morning on Nov. 6, Amy Wilson-Dallas won the race by over 3000 votes against candidate Dr. Kent Arnold in the 2024 General Election.
BOST
CONTINUED FROM 2
faced challenges in passing. However, he’s optimistic they can push it through during the lame-duck session.
In addition to supporting veterans, Bost is focused on infrastructure development in his district.
“I also have to work to make sure that I do the thing that I’m supposed to do as Illinois 12th congressional members, and that is to argue for funding for roads and bridges and those types of things in my district,” Bost said.
He said that his hope is that when former President Donald Trump is reelected, they put themselves back in a position where the country is energy independent again.
Bost clarified that supporting various types of fuel doesn’t exclude solar and wind. Instead, he sees it as part of a comprehensive approach, including new technologies, to enhance U.S. competitiveness in the
ILLINOIS
CONTINUED FROM 2
they have a good staff, and they have all those visuals. And right now, what stands out is how the predictions are really coming true. It’s really too early to tell,” Jackson said at about 9 p.m. Tuesday.
“If I am elected, I have many changes I want to implement,”
Wilson-Dallas told the Daily Egyptian early on Election Day. “I want to better the relationship between law enforcement, to have faster response times and to provide better training to foster better teamwork and unity in the county.”
She also said she is going to work toward getting permanent death certificates to families faster.
“The families can’t do anything without it,” Wilson-Dallas said. Arnold had similar goals, focusing more on response times and transportation of the coroners office.
“I don’t know what to expect, it’s a very historical election,” WilsonDallas said before votes were counted.
Staff reporter Mylee Walker can be reached at mwalker@dailyegyptian.com.
global market and bring jobs back to the country for economic growth.
“If you work to make sure that the
Perry County ended with a majority of votes for Trump with 75.5% and 22.9% for Harris. Randolph County ended with the majority for the Republican candidate 74.1% and 24.2% for the Democrat. Pulaski County had a majority of 66.6% for Trump while 32.3% voted for Harris. Union County also ended with a majority Republican vote in the presidential race of 71.0% and 27.7% Democratic. Johnson County ended with the majority being Republican as well, with 78.6% for Trump 20.3% for Harris. Alexander County ended the election with 59.1% for Trump and 39.8% for Harris.
Staff reporter Alli Goering can be reached at agoering@dailyegyptian.com
economy is straightened out, it doesn’t matter if you live in Carbondale or New York, LA or Miami, people
having more money in their pocket, people making sure that their money goes further, making sure that gas
prices come down,” Bost said.
Bost explained that increasing GDP growth will boost employment and help reduce the nation’s long-term debt. He sees this approach as a benefit not just for his district, but for the country as a whole.
“We know what it’s like to have a real close majority, and it’s really hard to unite, to pull in the same direction with so many different personnel. And so that’s what we’re hoping for, is a larger majority in the House, the Senate looks like it’s going for the Republicans, vitally important, but everything looks like it’s going that way,” Bost said. “We did everything. We left it all on the table. And not only that, in my race in the district, but I also went around the United States, helping other candidates as well.”
Staff reporter Annalise Schmidt can be reached at aschmidt@dailyegyptian.com.
Photo provided by Christian Hale.
Photo provided by Wilson-Dallas
U.S. representative Mike Bost takes a group photo during his watch party at Brew Brothers Taproom Nov. 5, 2024 in Murphysboro, Illinois. Libby Phelps | @libbyphelpsphotography
Voters stand in line to vote at the Jackson Country voting station Nov. 5, 2024 Murphysboro Courthouse
Murphysboro, Illinois. Michael Burton | @akamai.Films
weeks leading up to Election Day contained several events accessible to students in order to prepare. A workshop on Sept. 24 and a registration table on Oct. 3 were held in the Student Center, Rendfeld said. General information about voter registration was listed on the registrar’s website.
The Student Center served as an early voting location on Oct. 16, 24, 30, 31 and Nov. 1. Grinnell Hall served as a polling site on Election Day according to Rendfeld.
Jackson County Clerk Frank Byrd said a second poll booth for registration was added later that evening. Additionally, he mentioned that as long as voters were in line to register when the polls closed at 7 p.m., they would be allowed to vote.
Because voter registration closes 28 days prior to an election in Illinois, the state offers grace period registration, in which voters must register and vote on the same day. Byrd said the county started the period on Oct. 9 to prevent the situation, as well as early voting opportunities which started Sept. 26. In Illinois, normal Voter Registration closes 28 days prior to each election. To register and vote in an upcoming election after that time one must complete Grace Period Registration. Grace Period is where you must register and vote that day. You may register in person for either normal Voter Registration or Grace Period Registration at the County Clerk’s Office and the City Clerk’s Office in the Carbondale City Hall. For dates and times please call the Jackson County Clerk’s Office, or the City Clerk’s Office in Carbondale.
“You know, sometimes this happens,” he said. “It’s a record all through the state. On a national level, I think that people are turning up and voting. I hate that they’re having to wait, but we’re doing the best we can. We’re trying to make sure that they get out as soon as possible. But again, it’s a process, because when you’re registering and voting at the same time, it’s a little bit longer line, because you’re having to make sure you have all the documentation…So that’s
why the line is really long.”
Ameriah Lockett, a sophomore studying musical theater, said she had registered to vote in her hometown initially but did not want to miss classes. She came to the Civic Center instead, but the effort did not benefit her.
“I (came) here during my break time to register since I wanted to vote anyways, and I’ve missed two classes,” she said. “So I feel like I could have just gone home.”
Byrd said he wished the voter process was “a simpler task” for citizens.
“I make it available with the ballot boxes that I put out for people to vote by mail instead, and I just feel like, I wish I could offer more,” he said.
Lockett said she witnessed people flipping a coin to decide whether to stay in line or not.
“They were like, heads or tails we leave, and then they left,” she said.
Despite their frustration, many community members decided to wait it out.
“I’m voting just because I have a right to, and I know that I have that right,” Lockett said. “The people who come before me have fought for that right, and I think that I should continue that fight and show up for them.”
Tochimani said he was voting for his parents, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico in the ‘90s.
“They are not allowed to vote,” he said. “I feel like it’s my responsibility to pick the candidate that best suits them, so I feel like that’s another reason why I’m here.”
Peterson decided to stay because she believes every vote counts, but she said she plans to be better prepared the next time she votes.
Ben Weir, a junior studying physiology, said he had been waiting for about two hours and was still not halfway through the line. Nonetheless, he thinks same-day registration is a good thing.
“It leaves room for a bunch of people probably just like me or people who just didn’t even know about it,” he said.
When asked if he thought there is anything the
Civic Center could have done to improve the process, he mentioned having more workers and open boxes. Byrd said that this Election Day has been “somewhat historic” and that the turnout was new to the county.
“If we’re going to have this kind of turnout, I want to make sure that we have as many places as these people can register and vote as they want and I’ll be looking into that,” he said. “Of course, you know, it’s always budget restraints, because I have to ask the County Board for my budget anyway, and, you know, they’re always complaining about that.
“But the thing of it is, I think I’ve made voting accessible more than probably any other clerk in probably Jackson County history. But again, if we’re going to have this kind of turnout, I’m going to make sure that we’re going to have more the next election. It’s just that it’s hard to gauge, you know what I’m saying?”
Weir also said he planned to stay in line and that he believes it is “good to vote.”
“I don’t really have a big reason (to vote) to be honest,” Weir said. “I’ve never been huge on politics, but I mean, it’s my voice…You have the power to sway the decision, so I mean, you might as well.”
Byrd described the voter turnout in Jackson County as “phenomenal.”
“I’ve been here over a decade, and we’ve never seen anything like this in-person voting,” he said.
“Now, in 2020 we had massive mail-in votes, and in 2018 we had massive vote-by-mail ballots, but… we’re not seeing that this time. We’re seeing around 2,500 and there may be more, because they’re still counting them. So I mean, they’re still coming in. So I’m really not sure how to gauge this. I hate to say that, but this is just really something that we haven’t experienced before.”
News editor Carly Gist can be reached at cgist@dailegyptian.com. Editor-in-Cheif Lylee Gibbs can be reached at lgibbs@dailyegyptian.com
Carbondale citizens line the hall of the Carbondale Civic Center waiting to vote Nov. 5, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
‘Our support is for her as our sister’: SIU Chapter of AKA hosts presidential election watch party
Gist CGist@dailyeGyptian Com
is the
by
Illinois
According to its website,
organization
collegeeducated women. It is a nonpartisan sorority that has chapters worldwide. Among its members is Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.
“We were the first that was founded
– Jan. 15, 1908,” Faith Miller, cochairman of the chapter’s connection and social action committee, said. “So as being the first, we embrace that as being first. Our support is for her as our sister, while the organization cannot endorse any political candidates.”
One of AKA, Inc.’s initiatives is to advocate for social justice. Miller said that because of that, the chapter wanted to ensure that its members were staying involved in the voting process. Additionally, they wanted to provide a means of stress relief during election night.
Neophansya Robinson, who serves as
the committee’s other co-chair, said, “We thought it would be a great opportunity for us to engage the community, to come together and to, as (Miller) stated, to just kind of de-stress, because emotions are high, stress levels are high. So this is an opportunity, as I stated, to come together over food, fun and games as we watch the election results come in.” Robinson said the event was advertised locally.
“We created a flier; we just posted it on all our social media platforms,” she said. “We also, you know, good old fashioned word of mouth, texting out text messages, and just invited the community at large to attend.”
James had no doubt that Trump would prevail.
“We expect this just the way it’s going,” James said.
affect me that bad, I’m lucky enough that it didn’t hurt me that bad, but there’s a lot of people that it does hurt a lot,” Kincannon said.
James, wearing a Trump 2020 hat, is among many that feel that Trump is what’s needed for the United States.
his economic policies and is “100% for changing this economy around.”
The event’s turnout was small but lively. Around 20 members of the local community and AKA came together to enjoy refreshments, games and each other’s company. When the projector
malfunctioned briefly, the group began a game of Heads Up!, which was accompanied by lots of laughter.
“The game – again, just a stress reliever – because everybody, for like,
Donny Kincannon, holding a beer nestled in a Trump can coozie and his face illuminated by a TV playing Fox’s coverage of the election results, wasn’t nervous about watching the results come in. He was more concerned about what would happen if Trump didn’t win.
“I’m afraid we’re going to have another four more years of what we dealt with, with the economy, the price growth increase… it doesn’t
To Mike Fisher, a retired state employee, Trump was the candidate of choice, no matter what issue was at hand.
“He’s the best choice for the economy, for immigration, jobs, you name it, everything. Trump’s the best candidate, for sure,” Fisher said. “My personal feeling is he has the best interest of the United States at hand.”
Hawk, who owns a hair salon, is very enthusiastic about Trump and
Hawk, adorned in a green Tricia Chandler County Clerk T-shirt, who won the Perry County Clerk’s Office and was being celebrated at the Republican gathering, said, “Being a small-business owner, the prices that we see, with the increases in our products, and then what we have to charge in turn and to go to the grocery store, it’s outrageous.”
While many Republicans are all-in on Trump’s policies, they are willing to concede that he isn’t a perfect candidate.
“How he carries himself, and the things he says about other people… I’m not for that,” Kincannon said. Fisher was similar in thought,
saying, “You can do the job that you’re doing, but you don’t have to talk to people the way that you’re talking. That’s my only negative with Donald Trump… maybe that’s why it’s so effective.”
The concern over what may happen to the United States if Trump isn’t elected was real for Bruce Rhodely, a farmer and the Perry County Republican Chair.
“I just pray for America, I pray for (the younger) generation… You may not agree with everyone’s ideas on a certain party, but the thing of it is, the people that are best for this country, this county, this state, to make this a better place for our children and our grandchildren,” Rhodely said. “We don’t have any hidden agendas to
try to control people… we just want there to be opportunity, something here for the next few generations.”
As he leaned against the dark, polished wood of the Grecian Steakhouse’s bar, Jessie James, a contractor, harkened back to one of the foundational concepts of the United States.
“I think all the American people just want the American dream… Everyone in this country, in the world, wants the same thing. And I think that this is the way we got to by going with the beliefs of what the Republicans feel,” James said.
Sports Consultant Ryan Grieser can be reached at rgrieser@dailyegyptian.com
Larry Taddock talks about his voting experience at the Trump watch party in the Grecian Steak House Nov. 5th, 2024 in Pinckneyville,
Brandon Ross and Tammy Kincannon drink a beer and watch the polls at a watch party Nov. 5, 2024 at the Grecian Steakhouse in Pinckneyville, Illinois. Enan Chediak | @enanchediak
Carly
Senior Pastor of Zion Temple Church of God in Christ Stephen Robinson leads a prayer for the attendees of an election watch party as the live election plays in the background Nov. 5 at Faner Hall in Carbondale, Illinois. Lylee Gibbs @lyleegibbsphoto
Illustration by Day Starr-Fleming | @DaySF
Neophansya Robinson, AKA’s social action committee co-chair, holds a phone up to her forehead that reads ‘Death Valley’ as members of the watch party plays Heads Up! while the election plays live in the background Nov. 5 at Faner Hall in Carbondale, Illinois.
DEMOCRATIC 11
Man on the street
Photos taken by Daylin Williams | dwilliams@dailyegyptian
Residents of Carbondale turned out to vote on Nov. 5, many venturing out in rainy weather. Some voters who used Illinois’ grace period voting waited hours to register and vote at the Carbondale Civic Center. Voter turnout at Carbondale Community High School spanned age ranges, from teens to seniors casting votes Tuesday morning.
Dimmick Guidry poses for a portrait with his child outside voting polls
Stephanie Benefield, 32 year-old resident poses with her two daughters, Willow and Vanessa, outside of the Carbondale Senior Citizen Center Nov. 5, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. Benefield was not able to vote due to the loss of her registration.
A polling place sign for the 2024 general election sits in the door window of the Carbondale Community High School gym.
Trump parade passes through Carbondale
Enan ChEdiak
EChEdiak@dailyEgyptian Com
Supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered in Marion on Saturday, Nov. 2, to travel in a caravan along Illinois 13 from Marion to the Honker Hill Winery in Carbondale, Illinois ahead of Tuesday’s upcoming presidential election between the former president and Vice President Kamala Harris. Supporters decorated their cars with flags and other advertisements for the Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump.
Leslie Jo Williams organized the event and advertised it on social media. She said that she organized it because it is the Saturday before the election. “Mike’s my cousin,” Williams said about Republican Congressman Mike Bost who spoke at the event. “I organized it for Mike, and obviously Trump.” Bost is up for reelection this Tuesday, running against Democratic candidate Brian Roberts in the 12th District race.
Some people came to the event because they saw the cars and signs. “We didn’t know about the event,” Michael Gary said. “We were coming to run some errands in Marion, and we saw all the Trump supporters and the Trump stuff out. So, we just stopped over here to see what was going on and also to show our support.”
Visitors to the event were not just unified over their support for Trump, but many also agreed on political issues that they felt were important to them, one of which was the economy.
“It’s cost of living. I think that’s the most important,” Illinois Rep. Paul Jacobs of the 118th district said. “Four years ago we were able to afford gas,” Bost said. “Gas was cheaper because we were energy independent.”
Jim Toller also shared this concern about the economy. “I mean it affects everybody,” he said. Many said that this was one of the reasons that they were voting for Trump. Tracy Newman said, “I was better off when
Trump was in office than I am now.”
Many also expressed concern over the Mexican border. “We’ve got to close that border,” Williams said. Clarence Skurat also said that securing the border was important to him to put a stop to crime. Also, some expressed a concern about religious freedom. “I think continued religious freedom is extremely important,” Mallory Gary said. She said that she and her husband Michael Gary were “conservative, born-again Christians.”
“I believe that when we look at this from a biblical perspective, this election and the outcomes of it have biblical ramifications if we don’t vote in accordance to the scriptures,” Mallory Gary said.
Regardless of their reasons, everyone interviewed made their support for former President Trump clear. “We love Trump,” Toller said.
Photo editor Enan Chediak can be reached at echediak@dailyegyptian.com
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Teresa Beal signs a shirt that Dennis Deal plans to send to Trump while Jason Pollard invites passersby to come and sign as well Nov. 2, 2024 in the Dillard’s parking lot in Marion, Illinois. Beal said that she came to support Trump in the parade. “I voted for Trump last time, and I’m voting for Trump this time.”
Clarence Skurat (right) raises his fist for a photograph at the MAGA Trump parade Nov. 2, 2024 at the Dillard’s parking lot in Marion, Illinois. Skurat said that securing the border, putting a stop to crime, and the economy were policy issues that were important to him this election. “I did vote for Trump. Always have and always will,” he said.
Salukis struggle despite strong ground game, fall to MO State
Joslyn Cole JCole@dailyegyptian Com
The first official game of the Scott Nagy era, and the first game in the 2024-25 season between Division 1 opponents in the country, was promising for the future of the Salukis, if not a little bit confusing.
“Things I thought were our strengths really showed to be our weaknesses, and things I thought were our weaknesses didn’t hurt us,” Nagy said.
After a slow start and scoring only six points in the first six minutes of action, the Dawgs came roaring to life against the College of Charleston. Layups and getting to the free throw line were the name of the game, as Davion Sykes had two buckets and two free throws within three minutes, and Elijah Elliot had two other baskets in that same time frame, leaving the score at 23-18.
The Dawgs hung around for the rest of the half and were able to get as close as two points, when the score was 29-27. SIU made up a lot of ground in the last 3:40 of the end of the first half, when they went on an 11-3 to enter the break.
The Salukis, outside of a missed dunk by Antwaun Massey to start the half, picked up right where they left off, matching the Cougars nearly shot for shot, and even taking a couple of brief
leads with about 17 minutes left to play.
The lead continued to ping back and forth, and the score was tied with eight minutes left. SIU didn’t make another field goal until Kennard Davis’ layup with 2:38 left on the clock. The only times they scored in that span were a pair of made free throws each from Jarrett Hensley and Elliot.
The Salukis poured in 80 points against the College of Charleston in the Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. However, the Cougars, who play out of the Coastal Athletic Association conference, managed to score 90 of their own.
“Defensively, we were not good at all. The big kid destroyed us,” Nagy said.
Charleston’s bigs were able to feast on SIU’s, especially after Massey, Hensley and freshman Rolyns Aligbe ended up in foul trouble. Massey and Aligbe, who only played 15 minutes a piece, both had four fouls in the game.
SIU let Charleston shoot 56.4% from the floor and go 9 of 20 from three point range. The Dawgs offense went 25 of 62 from the floor and an abysmal 5 of 21 (23.8%) from three.
The best area for the Salukis was at the free throw line, where they shot 25 of 33 — good for 75.8%.
Newcomer Elliot was the star
Saluki in Sioux Falls, going an efficient 9 for 14 from the floor and 3-7 from three, good for 23 points. Nagy, though proud of Elliot, was mostly indifferent to his point total.
“I don’t know who’s going to be our leading scorer; I don’t care. What I do care about is that we do a better job defensively,” Nagy said.
Besides on defense, the Dawgs struggled heavily on the boards, getting outrebounded 38 to 27 and only collecting seven in the second half. Against a team that made the
NCAA tournament each of the last two seasons, SIU corralled only nine offensive rebounds in the contest.
Nagy’s rotation extended well down the bench; eight players played at least 15 minutes, with Kennard Davis, Ali Dibba and Elliot all playing at least 32. Sykes led the bench in minutes played at 20.
With 12 and 13 points respectively, Dibba and Davis were second and third in scoring. Davis, while only going 2-8 from the floor,
managed to go 8-9 at the free throw line.
According to Nagy, there are many things to fix before the Salukis take the court at home on Friday against Missouri S&T at 7 p.m.
“Just simple things that have to get cleaned up if you’re going to win a college basketball game,” Nagy said.
Sports consultant Ryan Grieser can be reached at rgrieser@dailyegyptian.com.
“It felt like home”: why a trio of players decided to stay
niCk pfannkuChe npfankuChe@dailyegyptian Com
When looking down at the bench, fans will quickly be able to tell that the SIU men’s basketball team is nearly unrecognizable from last season.
Following a first round exit in the conference tournament last year, former head coach Bryan Mullins was shown the door, which prompted most of his players to put their names in the transfer portal. When combined with graduating players, 11 of last year’s 14 members were gone.
The only three players that remain from the previous squad are 2024-25 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Third Team AllConference guard Kennard Davis, graduate student Jarrett Hensley and sophomore guard Sheridan Sharp, who was injured for much of the 2023-24 season.
Even though they are here now, it wasn’t always a given. Like many of their teammates, Davis and Hensley both put their names in the transfer portal, but ultimately they decided to remain at SIU and are excited to be back.
“It feels awesome (to return),” Hensley said. One of the reasons they are still here has to do with the man who was brought in to replace Mullins: Scott Nagy. During a busy offseason that involved filling out both an entire roster and a coaching staff, Nagy convinced both to
remain at SIU and got them to buy into what he is trying to put together, which he attests was no easy feat.
“They’re not easy (conversations) because, with the environment of college basketball today, it’s really easy to transfer,” Nagy said.
“With the three guys we got to return, we know that they’re bought in, we know they want to be here, they like it here at SIU.”
But the decision of whether or not to transfer stretched beyond the hardwood. According to Hensley, there were also advantages to staying when it comes to the classroom.
Hensley said, “On the academic side, I can get my master’s. That was also a big part of why I wanted to come back.”
Unlike those two, Sharp had no intentions of leaving SIU. He never entered the transfer portal and placed his faith in the system Nagy was bringing in.
“I like the program. I like the fanbase, it felt like home,” Sharp said. “I felt like the best decision for me would be to stay and give Coach Nagy a try.”
Basketball is a sport where teams need chemistry to achieve success. With all the new additions to the team, new bonds needed to be formed in order to build a cohesive unit. This led to a notable amount of the offseason being
spent doing team bonding activities.While several of those activities were team-organized, the players also took it upon themselves to work on their relationships and deepen the ties between them and their teammates.
“I like to take them out, sometimes we go to Buffalo Wild Wings and stuff like that,” Sharp said.
Because moving to a new city and a new school can be daunting, several of the returning players also made an effort to help their new teammates get comfortable in Carbondale and at SIU. Nagy attests has been a big help for them in their transition into the Saluki program.
With the Missouri Valley being one of the tougher conferences in the nation, it has also been crucial for the new players to learn what it’s like to compete in that competitive of an environment based off of the knowledge and experience of the returning players. Hensley said that the three of them have made a point to prepare them for the season with their input.
The Salukis will play their first home game of the season on Nov. 8 against Missouri S&T, and the returning players have done their best to tell the new players what the experience of playing in the Banterra Center and in front of the southern Illinois fans is like.
Yarauseth Zavala | yzavala@dailyegyptain.com
“We’ve been telling them what to expect,” Hensley said. “We have an amazing fanbase and amazing support at our home games.”
Sports Reporter Nick Pfannkuche can be reached at npfankuche@dailyegyptian.com.
Photo provided by Saluki Athletics.
Carbondale United helps Carbondale citizens to get out and vote
Photos taken by Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
Carbondale United director and city councilman Nancy Maxwell spent Election Day driving back and forth to and from polling places. Not to vote, which she did a week prior, but to drive citizens of Carbondale to cast their ballots. Carbondale United answered calls from around the town of those needing transportation to the polls, most coming from the campus of students registering to vote for the first time.
Maxwell voted early alongside other Carbondale United members anticipating the influx of people needing transportation. She said she came up with the idea of being a mode of transportation so nobody had an excuse to not vote, including with the bursts of rain that trickled in on and off throughout the day.
“If I had to walk, I’d probably be like ‘no’ if I didn’t have a car,” she said. Sitting in the Carbondale United office, she received a call to take two students from the SIU campus to the Civic Center who needed to register and vote same-day. Illinois is one of 23 states that allow same-day voter registration. Nancy cleared out the back of her car in the pouring rain and drove toward the campus.
She picked up Freshman biological science major Jessica Trujillo and Freshman psychology major Ariyonna Jackson and the quiet car ride led the three to the Carbondale Civic Center, one of two locations in Jackson County same-day voting registration was taking place. The line for registration filled the building as Maxwell walked down the hall in disbelief. Any Carbondale citizens in line after voting closed could stay late into the night to cast their votes, and Carbondale United offered transportation home to those they
what, 10-20 minutes forgot about that (the election), started yelling and screaming at each other,” Miller said.
Jacari Henderson, director of Saluki Cares and undergraduate advisor of SIU’s AKA chapter, said the event was a group effort.
“It was basically kind of like an all hands on deck,” she said. “We were asked to bring items, asked everyone to kind of come together to obviously witness, hopefully, a special moment in history.”
Although they did not endorse their sorority sister, the members uplifted Harris and the work she has done for the country.
Both Miller and Henderson commended her for focusing on unity and inclusion. In campaign advertising, Harris has pledged to
“be a president for all Americans.”
“She’s running on, she wants to be, or intends to be, the president of all America,” Miller said. “It’s not just a specific subgroup of population.”
Henderson described Harris as strong, resilient and brave.
“I think that she’s overly qualified for this role,” she said. “I think she has all of the characteristics and traits that this country needs. She, in my opinion, is the epitome of democracies.
“As a leader, you do what’s best for the
betterment of the group, and not specifically your personal interest or value or what you think you’re able to get out of a certain position. So I think that she, like I said, number one, is overqualified for this job, and I’m happy…as a woman of color, that she has taken the initiative to bring more awareness, to be at the forefront, specifically in this battle as a leader. I think that it’s needed. I think that women, it’s our time to be in leadership positions. And I think again, she was the right one for the job.”
Before the event concluded at 9 p.m., Stephen Robinson, Pastor of Zion Temple Church of God in Christ, guided attendees in a prayer for the nation.
“I do believe too, God has the end, you know, the final say,” Henderson said. “And I just pray that whatever is the end result, that, you know, we can come together and move forward as a country, and not, you know, be against one another, and so I am hopeful… It’s not over until the last vote gets in and gets counted.”
Miller said that it felt good to experience a historic moment with the group.
“It’s a person, you know, potentially, that looks like a lot of Black and Brown people in America; first woman, first African American woman,” she said. “We’ve already had (the) first African American male as president. So this is a watershed moment for this country. Do we want a woman to lead? That’s basically it. Do we want a woman as a leader? When other countries have had women as leaders?” Despite her anxieties, Henderson said she was glad to be in attendance and to uplift
her sister.
“Anytime that any member of our organization is being highlighted or celebrated, we want to make sure we’re sharing awareness, we’re rallying behind them with their purpose and their mission,” she said. “Our sorority obviously can’t endorse any candidates specifically, however, we do make sure that we support and we show up in numbers in droves for members who not only believe in their missions and their values, but we want to see kind of, you know, a shift in a lot of the things that that are happening right now, currently, in our climate and in our country.
“So, you know, we’re happy to be here today, this evening, to again, like I said, hopefully witness a special, pivotal moment in American history. You know, even if it does not go the way that we want it to, we still commend her, we still support her. We’re so very proud of her and all the accomplishments that she has accomplished thus far. And so again, we (are) anxious, obviously, to see what the results are, but very happy and very proud of Kamala Harris. She’s done a magnificent job since she decided to go ahead and get in the race. She’s hit the ground running.”
She said she believes this election is a time to reflect and come together as a nation.
“I think it is time for us to unite as one, because we are stronger when we come together,” she said.
Nancy Maxwell drives towards the SIU campus to drive students to the Carbondale Civic Center to register to vote Nov. 5, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois.
Freshman biological science major Jessica Trujillo and Freshman psychology major Ariyonna Jackson walk through the rain from their dorm towards Nancy Maxwell’s car to be driven to the Carbondale Civic Center to vote Nov. 5, 2024 at Abbott Hall in Carbondale, Illinois.
A voter registration sign points to the left as the line wraps around the building.
Jackson County residents share priorities as they vote on Election Day
Jamilah lewis Jlewis@dailyegyptian com
Jackson County residents voted at over 50 polling places around the area on Election Day, deciding on races for president as well as some local offices.
Polling places were open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. with ‘polling place’ signs directing people to the correct lines.
Carbondale resident Colleen Price who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris said it’s an important election with a lot at stake.
“There’s a lot on the line for our country. Also, I’m invested in the race for state’s attorney,” said Price. “I work with Marsha Cascio-Hale, and as much as I would hate to lose her as a colleague, she would make an excellent state’s attorney.”
Marsha Cascio-Hale is the Democratic candidate running as the Jackson County State’s attorney against current State’s Attorney Joe Cervantez.
Price’s main concerns with this election are women’s rights and making sure the U.S. is secure for the citizens.
“I want America to be safe for everybody, and I want the lower and the middle class to have better opportunities,”
Price said. “I want our president to not cater to the rich. I don’t want it to be a power trip, I want somebody that will lead our country with unity.”
SIU and John A. Logan College student Samuel Jackson, who came to vote at the Carbondale High School, said voting is important because democracy is the foundation of the country.
“I just think that everyone should [vote],” Jackson said. “If we’re going to make decisions about the country and about our future, everyone should have a voice, regardless of anything.”
Most of Jackson’s concerns are around marginalized communities’ rights and citizen’s access to citizen’s possessions.
“I’m worried about future home ownership, I’m worried about trans rights, I’m worried about a lot of things,” Jackson said. “I’d like to keep the freedoms I have and maybe have a positive view for the future. Right now, not so much.”
When it comes to policies the top candidates have, Jackson said he sees more bad than good on both sides. Even though he voted for Harris it felt like he was picking between the lesser of two evils.
“I’d like to see some actual reform for the country. I’d like to see progress. Workers rights are a big thing,” Jackson said. “I’d like to see just a protection of rights in general.”
This is the third major election Jackson participated in since 2016 noticing more negativity around this election than others.
“It’s a lot more hostile now. I mean, this voting experience was great. This was fast and easy, but just in general, it feels like the political climate is very hot right now,” Jackson said. “If things don’t go one party’s way it’ll be bad and if it doesn’t go the other party’s way it’ll be even worse.”
Music teacher at the Practice Pad in Carbondale Joe Palermo said he came to vote at the Carbondale High School for the president for the typical reasons.
“The future, the present, important issues. Just a lot going on. Critical time,” Palermo said. “Just seems like a lot of animosity in society. So it’s important that we kind of come together and make some good decisions.”
togetherness from both parties.
“I’m looking for unity, a lot of arguing and just like animosity, and that’s kind of what I’m trying to hope will go away right now,” Palermo said. “Just like people come together, get more willing to talk and quit yelling.”
With voting for the Democratic candidate Palermo said his biggest hope is the republican candidate does not come back in office after seeing his actions during his term and the Biden-Harris administration.
Palermo voted for Harris and most of his political concerns come from social issues and division, he said. He seeks
“It’s kind of a bizarre election to me,” Palermo said. “We’ve got one candidate that’s a convicted felon and has been
impeached and the other candidate was kind of placed in at the last minute. So, it’s just a little bizarre and a little different from anything I’ve seen.”
Jackson Bradley, who works for the SIU Credit Union and the Landmark Realty Group, voted because he wants his voice heard and believes others should too, but is fearful from the climates around the election.
“I’m low-keypretty scared because a lot of people’s rights are on the line,” Bradley said. “A lot of hate is being normalized, and I really don’t want to see that.”
Many of Bradley’s concerns lie with rights for marginalized and climate change and its impact on earth.
“Reproductive rights, I don’t think that’s any man’s decision. I want to see more rights for people of color and for the LGBTQIA community,” Bradley said. “I also want to see climate change taken seriously, because we can’t fight for any rights if we don’t have a place to live.” Bradley said making sure things are affordable for citizens so people similar to him don’t have to work multiple jobs to keep a roof over their heads.
“I think that’s probably my biggest deal with this specific election is for us to start caring more about that,” Bradley said. “As we see the weather events are getting crazier and crazier, we don’t have to give up. There’s still time to fix that.”
Jamilah Lewis can be reached at jlewis@dailyegyptian.com.
Voters receiving their ballots at Grinnell Hall in Carbondale, Illinois Nov. 5, 2024.
Photo by Simeon Hardley | shardley@dailyegyptian.com
Joe Palermo stands for a portrait after voting for the 2024 General Election Nov. 5, 2024 at Carbondale High School in Carbondale, Illinois Photo by Alexis Lessman alessman@dailyegyptian.com
Autumn Byram poses for a portrait Nov. 5, 2024 at Eurma C. Haynes Center in Carbondale, Illinois. This will be Byram’s second presidential election she is voting in and despite being nervous and filled with anxiety, she said she has high hopes. “I hope everyone can come together and do the right thing for once,” Byram said. Photo by Simeon Hardley | shardley@dailyegyptian.
New Jackson County resident, Alexis Jenkins, casts her vote Nov. 5, 2024 at Carbondale High School in Carbondale, Illinois. “I believe that voting is definitely important, my Grandpa Johnny Shaw was a representative,” Jenkins said. Photo by Alexis Lessman | alessman@dailyegyptian.com
