For voters, the economy is often the top issue when deciding who to pick for president. But Connie Harvey, a Garfield Heights grandmother, said she hasn’t heard enough from the candidates about what she called the “economy for the people.”

Harvey was one of more than 50 Northeast Ohio residents who took time to chat with Cleveland and Akron Documenters about the 2024 election. In interviews with neighbors, friends, fellow parishioners and relatives, Documenters asked what issues people wished candidates were talking about more. Harvey didn’t think Kamala Harris and Donald Trump were focusing enough on the middle class. 

Overarching issues such as climate change, reproductive rights and safety were on the minds of many. 

But often people craved less spin and more detailed plans on how candidates would support the working class, seniors or people with disabilities left behind as rent and utility bills balloon. Or on promises to tend to roads in desperate need of paving. 

Documenters also asked people what – if anything – might make them feel more connected to this election cycle, where Ohio is not a focus for the candidates.

Though not everyone felt disconnected, many people were turned off by political discourse that fixated more on candidates’ personalities than on the people they would serve if elected. 

“I feel like the candidates worry more about each other than they do about the people they are representing,” said Delanna Starks, 23, of Warrensville Heights.  “So maybe if it wasn’t so, like, tit for tat, I would be more involved.”

Here’s more of what Documenters heard from the Greater Clevelanders they interviewed. Find our full podcast episode here.

What is one issue or topic the presidential candidates are NOT talking about that you wish they were?

Regina Davis, 74, of Maple Heights, was one of many who wanted to hear more about how candidates would make housing more affordable, in particular for people with disabilities. Child care for mothers who work at night was also important for her so that women would not be left with hard choices to leave their kids at home asleep or pay the bills.

“Women have to go to work,” she said.

Documenter Charlie Randle-Pride talked to her brother, Michael Dickerson, who was most worried about road conditions in his neighborhood. (Click below to hear part of their interview.)

Documenter Ashley Lubecky talked to her friend Nathaniel Jurcago, who lives in Cleveland’s West Boulevard neighborhood. He said he heard little in the only presidential debate for people who are struggling monthly to pay their bills.

What, if anything, would make you feel more connected to this election cycle?

While some people said they did feel connected to the elections and ready to vote, many felt distanced from the race or that they didn’t have enough information on key local issues, such as races for state and county judges.

Documenter Michaylah Burch chatted with her mother, Keena Robinson, who said age was a factor, but that the candidates didn’t seem grounded in what was actually going on in the lives of voters.

Bronson Hall, of Lakewood, told Documenter Ashley Lubecky that he’d feel more connected if all of the candidates weren’t backed by big donors and were supported by grassroots efforts.

Caro Crouse told Documenter Brandy Smith that even when candidates talk about the issues they care about such as LGBTQ rights or mental and physical health, it often feels as though they are working to garner support and won’t “necessarily go anywhere cycle after cycle.” Crouse also said talked about how local issues such as gerrymandering or battles over who can use public restrooms are a distraction.

“If issues that affect me weren’t used as virtue signals and measurable change was actually made between election cycles, it would be very nice,” Crouse said.

These Cleveland Documenters contributed to this project: Alfreda Williams, Ashley Lubecky, Charlestine Randle-Pride, Florence G. Brown-Isom, Michaylah Burch, Ronaldo Rodriguez Jr., Mildred Seward, Angela Thomas, Marvetta Rutherford, Stacie Simon, Lori Ingram, Colleen Boyd and Tina Scott

Sound was produced by Signal Cleveland Audio Engineer Gennifer Harding-Gosnell.

This project was supported with a grant through the American Press Institute with money from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Election Integrity initiative, which is managed by The Miami Foundation. This grant program is part of the Knight Election Hub, a collection of curated products and services to help cover the 2024 election.