Georgia voters discussed what matters most to them in the final weeks before Election Day.
ATLANTA — Americans across the country will soon head to the polls in this historic election. For voters in the critical swing state of Georgia, the decisions they make could help determine the ultimate outcome of the race.
That’s why 11Alive’s Sunday politics show, The Georgia Vote, has been working for months to make sure their views are at the heart of the political conversation. Our weekly Voice of the Voter segment has given Georgians of all walks of life a platform to share, in their own words, what matters most to them.
Recently, four of them reunited with The Georgia Vote hosts Faith Jessie and Zach Merchant for an in-depth conversation about their top priorities — and concerns– in the closing days of the race for the White House. Watch the full conversation in the video player above. You can also learn more about the voters featured below.
Meet Malita Belloso-Pinto, owner and teacher at Calo Gitano dance academy
At her studio situated in Atlanta’s Kirkwood neighborhood just inside the Dekalb County border, she focuses on teaching flamenco dancing to students of all abilities.
“I love to teach people to love themselves,” she said.
Many of her students come from different neighborhoods and backgrounds, Belloso-Pinto said. She works to create an environment where new connections can form.
“Let’s listen to good music, let’s just see ourselves dancing,” said the instructor. “That’s it.”
Belloso-Pinto emigrated to the United States from Venezuela in 2000. She’s watched as Latino influence in Georgia has grown over the near-quarter century she’s been in America.
“There’s a lot of people here that are good people, that are hard workers. And that’s what Latinos have,” she said. “We are very hard workers. And I come here and I love this country.”
Meet Gerald ‘Boo’ Mitchell, football coach and youth league administrator
Mitchell is the president of the Gwinnett Football League. He’s also a substitute teacher and a football coach.
“I tell people that all the time: I do this for the kids,” said Mitchell. “Because thank God when I was growing up there were people that were out there doing things like I what I’m doing and that’s what allowed me to be successful.”
Meet Tad Murdock, owner and head fly fishing guide at Georgia Wild Trout
The small business owner said educating future generations of anglers is his passion.
“The closer I get, the more I hear the water, the calmer I get,” said Murdock. “Then it’s time to go to work.”
When asked what a perfect day on the water looks like when he’s guiding, he said it’s not just about the fish they catch.
“I like to see the growth,” said Murdock. “I like my repeat customers. But I feel like after a day on the water with me if they can’t get out and be fully confident and efficient out on their own I didn’t do my job.”
It’s part practical education and part evangelism for a hobby he said has taken him all over the world.
“The river speaks my language,” said the fisherman.
Meet Ardra Sinett, Cooking Couture chef and entertainer
Ardra Sinett is a chef and entertainer. She has been running her own business, Cooking Couture, for more than a decade.
She shares recipes, cooks and takes others along for the journey to create a culinary experience. Her goal is to bring people together – one meal at a time.
“It’s so hard for people to be controversial or adversarial when they’re eating and they’re hungry,” she joked as she worked in her kitchen.
Watch our Voice of the Voter segment during The Georgia Vote Sundays at 11 a.m. on 11Alive.
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