What N. Dakota voters have to say about 2012 races

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Across North Dakota, thousands of people are casting votes for dozens of races, including the president, Senate, House of Representatives and various ballot initiatives. Here's what they're saying about why they cast their votes:

— "I like my guns," said Kurt Triplett, a 26-year-old Bismarck salesman who voted a straight Republican ticket.

— "I don't know if I'm a Republican or Democrat but I think Romney is the better candidate," said Nicole Gipp, 20, a first-time voter and cashier at a Bismarck McDonald's.

— "I'm a little nervous but I think today is going to be a good day," said 22-year-old Nathan Lange, a Chinese food delivery driver from Mandan and son of U.S. Senate candidate Heidi Heitkamp.

— "A vote for Heidi (Heitkamp) would be a vote for Obama. The No. 1 reason I voted for Romney is because it's a vote against Obama," said 94-year-old Sol Wezelman, a retired Bismarck insurance agent who voted a straight Republican ticket.

— "I don't think we can trust (U.S. Senate candidate) Rick Berg to do what's best for North Dakota. I think he will do whatever the Republicans want him to do," said Sara Kincaid, a 34-year-old substitute teacher in Bismarck. "I think Heidi (Heitkamp) will do what's best for North Dakota and think she tends to be more independent and won't vote along party lines."

— "The way things are right now, we're not moving ahead," said Eric Rudrud, a 63-year-old state Transportation Department employee and Republican voter. "We need to do things to get people employed."

— "I'm nine months pregnant and I don't believe in abortion or anything else Obama supports," said Ashley Lee, a 24-year-old stay-at-home mom and Bismarck Republican. "There are better options."

— "I don't think people realize how bad it really is," said Rick Meier, a 55-year-old Bismarck pawn shop employee and former Republican who voted a straight Democratic ticket. "There are a lot of hungry people out here."

— "I generally vote Republican for president and the rest of the time I usually vote against the incumbent," said John Matheson, 85, of Fargo. "I think we're poorly served by some of these people."

— "Rick Berg signed the Grover Norquist agreement and that negated him as a candidate for me," said Carol Preston, 77, of Fargo, referring to the anti-tax advocate who has gotten many Republicans to pledge not to raise taxes. "The people of North Dakota vote for our representatives and senators and I don't think any of them have the right to sign a pledge with Grover Norquist that won't bring in more revenue."

— "I forgot my glasses but it's real easy to see an 'R' on the ballot," said Mark Nettum, 70, a retired Fargo resident joking about voting straight Republican.

— "I think the Democrats do a better job of looking out for the people than the Republicans do," said Sonny Olson, 53, of Fargo, who works in retail. "The Republicans have an advantage in this state, but I figure if I don't vote it gives them even more of an edge."

— "I voted for Rick Berg. I don't really like anyone who is going to back Obama. There's no sense voting for Heidi (Heitkamp)," said Robert LaRoque, a construction worker from Fargo who expressed his age as "old enough."

— "The presidential race interested me the most. I voted for Obama," said Tracy Carlson, 31, of Fargo, who works for a law firm. "I think Romney is a little bit on the chauvinistic side."

— "The economy is the most important thing. A lot of people are out of a job," said Bobo Dassin, 28, of Fargo. "But I didn't vote along party lines. I looked at who was the best option. It's not all black and white."

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