Local voters mull their decision as election campaign enters final days

When first-time voter Lizzy Fenn voted in the advance polls in Peterborough-Kawartha, she wanted to back the NDP, but didn’t.

“I really support NDP values but I was trying to vote strategically …. I’m really hoping it’s anybody but the Conservatives at this point” said Fenn, 18, who was downtown with her mother Friday.

Now that she’s of age, Fenn was eager to have her say and wasn’t about to pass up an opportunity to cast a ballot.

“It felt really good and it felt like a voice, finally,” said Fenn, who studies at the University of Ottawa.

Fenn’s mom, Tracey Germa, went against her gut in this election, too.

“I did vote strategically for the Liberals this time … I hope I did the right thing,” said Germa, who usually votes NDP.

Germa didn’t take the decision lightly, though. In fact, she said she felt “sick to her stomach” about it.

“But I would feel way sicker if we ended up with a country that followed the values that the Progressive Conservatives bring forth,” she said.

Those values, Germa said, are short-sighted, greedy, bad for the economy and aren’t going to leave future generations with anything valuable.

“The bottom line is, good policy makes sure that everybody is protected,” she said.

Across George Street, Alex Brocks was still scratching is head, unsure who to vote for.

“I have three signs on my lawn,” he said.

Although Brocks has always voted the same way when an election rolls around, that’s not happening this year.

“I’m not happy with anybody,” he said, adding that he’ll make his decision at the poll Monday, after further consideration.

Mike Dwyer had the same disappointment.

“I really was not thrilled with any party,” Dwyer said.

Unlike Brocks, Dwyer said he hasn’t been loyal to any party in the past, sometimes choosing to vote for the person over the party.

This year, however, Dwyer said he voted for the “lesser of all evils,” though he didn’t share who he voted for.

“I voted with what I wanted.”