(TEANECK, N.J.) — More than 67.1 million people watched the U.S. presidential debate on Sept. 10 between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, drawing strong reactions from many. 

Voters had many expectations for the two presidential candidates that night. After the debate, some voters interviewed in New Jersey, a blue state since 1992, said Harris met their expectations. 

Bernice believes that Harris won the debate. [Credit: Lynise Olivacce]

She says it’s important to “get back Roe vs. Wade,” and believes a woman not having autonomy over her body to decide if she wants to have a baby or not is wrong.

“Even in New Jersey abortion is allowed, but if you don’t have the means and you don’t have the contacts, you still can not get it,” she said. 

Bernice works for a Jewish women’s organization that supports women who are getting an abortion. She helps escort women who are scared of getting an abortion due to the people who protest outside of clinics and harass patients as they go in for medical services. 

Janaeya Smith, a senior at Fairleigh Dickinson University majoring in English and literature, said she feels obligated to vote despite thinking she is picking “the lesser of two evils.” After watching the debate, Smith said who she will be voting for has not changed. She said both candidates made some mistakes in the debate but believes Harris won it. 

Smith believes that Trump’s views on abortion were ignorant and not well thought out. 

“I love Kamala Harris only because I like to support women and I love to support Black women,” Smith said. “I also do not support somebody saying that they’re eating our pets.”

Janaeye feels that she must vote in this election. [Credit: Lynise Olivacce]

“I guess I feel kind of obligated to vote,” Smith said. “Women being able to vote, Black people being able to vote, I feel like honestly, it’s my obligation to vote for the country that I was brought up in, so I will be voting.” 

According to The Hill, as of Sept. 20, Harris was leading Trump in New Jersey 50.1% to 46.5%.