Mike Hoekstra often finds it hard to sleep at night due to his uncertainty about the upcoming election.

Jacques Lemoyne is “simply not satisfied” with the choices available.

Kathryn Berrisford feels “lost when trying to choose a candidate who resonates with me.”

With less than a month remaining until Election Day, this trio represents a segment of voters nationwide who have not yet chosen a candidate for president. Frustrated for various reasons, including vague policies, concerns for democracy, and the candidates’ personalities, they express dissatisfaction with both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Undecided voters constitute a small percentage of the electorate ‒ ranging from 2% to 5%, based on different polls. However, in what could turn out to be one of the tightest presidential races in history, they may hold the key to the outcome.

The lingering question remains: how is it possible that anyone is still undecided after the longest campaign in U.S. history, with both a former president and the current vice president on the ballot?

“They aren’t excited about either option,” remarked David Paleologos, a pollster and head of Suffolk University’s Political Research Center, who conducts numerous polls for YSL News. “The fascinating aspect of this situation is that these individuals are often viewed as voters who might waste their votes and are less tied to traditional two-party politics. Yet, their choices could significantly influence the election outcome.”

Factors Influencing Their Decisions

A national poll conducted by YSL News and Suffolk University in August surveyed likely voters, focusing on why undecided or third-party voters were hesitant to support Trump or Harris. Around 8% of respondents remained either undecided or indicated a preference for third-party candidates, nearly double the polling margin between Harris and Trump.

The undecided individuals YSL News recently interviewed encompassed a mix of third-party and independent voters previously aligned with candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has now exited the race. Some have voted for either Trump or President Joe Biden in the last two elections but are reluctant to align with either party this time.

Many expressed astonishment at their ongoing indecision as the election draws near.

“I’m rather numb than surprised,” said Lemoyne, 69, a golf club maker from Erie, Pennsylvania, a critical state for this election. “Right now, I’m finding it hard to commit to voting.”

Hoekstra, 54, from Crete, Illinois, felt “heartbroken, devastated, and betrayed” when Kennedy suspended his campaign in late August to support Trump. Kennedy announced he would remain on the ballots in states not considered battlegrounds, like Illinois, encouraging voters to still choose him to reduce Harris’s support. Hoekstra volunteered for Kennedy’s campaign at that point.

As a married father of six adult children and a retired Navy reservist, Hoekstra is contemplating casting his vote for Kennedy but is also exploring options like Chase Oliver from the Libertarian Party.

He is unwilling to support Trump unless the former president acknowledges his prior mistakes, such as his management of COVID-19, the current state of the economy, and the events of January 6. Hoekstra recognizes that these admissions are unlikely.

“I’m extremely uncertain,” Hoekstra stated. “If he were to come forward and sincerely address his past errors, I might reconsider.”

Hoekstra is entirely dismissive of Harris. “I disapprove of how she became the Democratic candidate without going through the primary process. That strikes me as undemocratic,” Hoekstra remarked about her rise after Biden exited the race. “Currently, I’m left in a state of protest, trying to figure things out.”

Fed Up with Fear-Based Voting

Berrisford, 31, an esthetician from Kapaʻa, Hawaii, and lifelong Democrat, also disapproves of how Harris secured her nomination.

“At this moment, it feels like there’s no candidate I could support wholeheartedly,” Berrisford, who voted for Biden in 2020, stated. “Reflecting on my voting history, I’m just tired of feeling compelled to vote for the lesser evil instead of being able to support a candidate I truly believe in.”

Trump isn’t part of Berrisford’s voting considerations. “I can’t align with him at all, especially as a woman. Just look at the comments he’s made since announcing his candidacy in 2016,” Berrisford expressed. “Our reproductive rights are under threat right now, which makes it a frightening time for many.”

Psychologist Ronald Levant concurred that the anxiety surrounding voting for undecided citizens is very real.

and an emeritus professor at the University of Akron, is the author of the book, “The Psychology of Men and Masculinity.”

“They face a challenging decision in a short timeframe, which is unlike the typical voter,” Levant commented. “It’s interesting that they come from various political backgrounds, possibly reflecting more on their own views rather than examining the political landscape.”

Older undecided voters in battleground states

In a survey conducted two months ago by YSL News, some undecided voters indicated that their hesitance to support Harris stemmed from a lack of knowledge about her. Conversely, many were steering clear of Trump due to their awareness of his past actions.

As the election date on November 5 approaches, this uncertainty persists for some voters.

“I’m unsure about Harris’ policies, especially regarding her inconsistent stance on fracking and other healthcare matters. She has not articulated anything clear enough for me to understand,” Lemoyne expressed. “I’m left wondering if she truly stands by her words.”

Similar to Berrisford, Lemoyne criticized how Harris was quickly elevated to the position of the Democratic presidential nominee, labeling her a “Supercandidate.” He expressed skepticism about Trump, worrying that he may not complete a possible second term due to his age (78) or legal troubles.

“Honestly, I believe both parties could have provided better candidates,” Lemoyne suggested, referencing pressing issues like the economy, the conflict between Israel and Iran, and climate change. “Neither candidate seems clear on their plans or methods.”

John Whitehead, 76 from Pittsburgh, shares a similar viewpoint. Having voted for Trump in 2016 but Biden in 2020, he has decided not to support Trump in the upcoming election.

“I admire his toughness, but I cannot overlook his ignorance. He is who he is, but his treatment of women and disrespect towards the military are dealbreakers for me,” Whitehead stated. “I also believe he’s a racist, and that’s a significant issue for me right now.”

Yet, Whitehead, a “semi-retired electrician” who is a registered Democrat, expresses concern about Harris, stating a lack of familiarity with her and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Cynthia Terek, 67, from Detroit, recognizes the stakes in her pivotal state of Michigan. Terek, who voted for Trump in 2020, holds the current administration and both parties accountable for the poor state of the U.S. economy, believing that Trump could enhance it better than Harris.

Paleologos mentioned that some older undecided voters regard Trump’s record as more favorable compared to Harris’ but find his rhetoric to be “more venomous.”

Terek concurs, stating, “My main issue with Trump is his incessant talking. Sometimes, just keep quiet.” She added, “But it’s Trump; he never stops.”

A patriotic duty to vote

Despite her reservations about both candidates, Terek, who met her late husband while serving in the Air Force over forty years ago, is determined to vote for president—though she remains uncertain about her choice.

“Yes, I definitely plan to vote in person,” Terek affirmed, a mother and grandmother. “At this moment, I’m unsure where I’ll be putting my ‘X’.”

Hoekstra, also a veteran, feels it is his civic responsibility to participate in the election.

“Regardless of my feelings, I will make it to the polls, even if I have to crawl,” Hoekstra said. “I hold great respect for those who fought and sacrificed their lives to uphold our democracy and the right to vote. I cannot dishonor that sacrifice.”

“Even if I decide at the last moment,” Hoekstra concluded. “I will vote, for someone.”