Quoth the voter

Sometimes the best thing to do is shut up and let the voters talk. C-VILLE fanned out to conduct exit interviews on election day. Here’s what the voters themselves had to say.

On voting

I feel like it’s our duty to vote even if we don’t know what we’re doing.—Anonymous, Rivanna District, Stony Point Precinct

I wasn’t going to come because I was sick but I turned on the news at 5 o’clock and they were talking about being able to swing the state Democratic. So I went down to the headquarters and asked if they could give me a ride up.—Emily Davis, Carver Precinct

I’m voting because I’m an American, even though I have a French accent.—Anonymous, Scottsville District, Monticello Precinct

On the Board of Supervisors and county issues

There’s too much sprawl. It’s gotten out of hand. We need a change, and I don’t like Ken Boyd. —Anonymous, Rivanna District, Stony Point Precinct

My biggest issues were related to development. I’m not pro- destruction of farm land. I voted for Ken Boyd, because I trust his record. I voted for a lot of incumbents.—Anonymous, Rivanna District, Stony Point Precinct

Ann Mallek especially wants the developers to pay for the growth as they go along, and pay for the growth that goes with it. And that was the most important thing for me. I’m not opposed to growth, but I want to make sure it’s controlled.—Daniel Friend, White Hall District, Crozet Precinct

[Wyant] is born and bred to the bone here. And he and his people have lived and fought and worked and prayed for this wonderful, wonderful part of God’s earth. And he understands the way he wants things to be to maintain the best possible use.—Anonymous, White Hall District, Yellow Mountain Precinct

The county government, just as Ms. Mallek said, they are here to serve the developers. They’re just an extended office pool for the developers. And that’s a shame. It’s a terrible shame.—Anonymous, White Hall District, Crozet Precinct

I think that the whole growth issue has been distorted. I think David Wyant does a fantastic job of representing us. And we need more people like him with some common sense.—Duncan MacFarlane, White Hall District, Yellow Mountain Precinct

I wonder where all the water’s going to come from with all the new development. Water is going to be the new oil. I think that property rights are the last thing to go, and they’re going.—Gracie Stearns, White Hall District, Yellow Mountain Precinct

I know [growth] is necessary, but I’m concerned about traffic, getting into town, the fact that 250 is just a two-lane road.—Kathy Bagby, White Hall District, Crozet Precinct

I think the developers are ruining this county. The traffic is worse than New York. I moved here from New York 20 years ago, and I’m going back to New York.—Anonymous Republican, Rivanna District, Free Bridge Precinct

We need to make a few little zig-zags as a county. It’s not that we’re going to hell in a handbasket, but we do need to stop and reassess where we’re going and how we get there.—Anonymous Democrat, Rivanna District, Free Bridge Precinct

You don’t want to know what I think—wipe the whole slate clean and start over again.—Anonymous, Rivanna District, Stony Point Precinct

On the sheriff and Commonwealth’s Attorney races

We live in Ashcroft, and Chip Harding lives in Ashcroft. It’s kind of a local thing.—Anonymous Democrat, Rivanna District, Free Bridge Precinct

Larry Claytor…he’s been around a long time in this community, and so I know his name. He’s a good guy.—Anonymous, White Hall District, Crozet Precinct

I was concerned about prosecution in the county. I didn’t think it was being carried out very well.—Anonymous, White Hall District, Crozet Precinct

Some of the people who have been in office for a long time need to make way for some new blood.—Anonymous, Scottsville District, Monticello Precinct

On City Council

In national elections, I can’t remember the last time I voted for a Republican or Democrat. I usually vote for thirdparty candidates.—Jim Mann, Tonsler Precinct

I usually vote strict Democrat but I did split up my vote this year.  I think we need more of a contrast in there, different opinions. They always talk about diversity, but you need diversity in the political arena to get another view.—Roberta Allen, Tonsler Precinct

I’m concerned about the issue of poverty. Charlottesville is a great, livable, place but it needs to be livable for everyone.—Grace Hale, Carver Precinct

I’m really concerned about the growth in Charlottesville and making sure that stays in a sustainable way because I’m from Northern Virginia and I’ve seen what can happen. I don’t want that here at all. So far I think Charlottesville’s doing a good job and I want to see that continue.—Alison Sharp, Carver Precinct

I just wanted to vote for the Mayor.—Ed Ragland, Tonsler Precinct