Nightly News   |  November 03, 2010

After the election, voters reflect on decisions

Four voters from around the country offered their personal motivations for the choices they made as they cast their ballots on Tuesday. NBC's Rehema Ellis follows up with them to see how they're feeling about those choices the day after.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>> we are back from our "decision 2010 " headquarters at 30 rockefeller plaza in new york. last night before the polls had closed, we heard the personal stories of four voters from around this country and what was on their minds as they went to cast their ballots. well, tonight, those results are in. our own rehema ellis asked the very same voters about the message they sent.

>> reporter: these four voters knew what they wanted when they went to the polls. the question today -- how do they feel about what they got?

>> cautious.

>> disappointed.

>> i have very mixed feelings.

>> very optimistic.

>> reporter: in rock hill , social, sheila huckabee watched the returns from home. an independent, this mother and school administrator lives in a state where 70% of eighth graders are behind in math. she split the ticket yesterday, but it didn't go her way.

>> i'm also a little nervous, because all of the candidates who were elected have mixed records on their views of public education . and i'm very concerned about the funding for public education in the future.

>> reporter: brad, a businessman and father in san diego , is a long-time democrat, but voted against his party in the senate race. saying he was looking for change, especially when it comes to immigration.

>> this is something we need to get off the table. the immigration issue is definitely been a dark cloud over our country.

>> reporter: in chicago, 23-year-old campaigned for the republican ticket and is happy with the election. part of the wave of white male republicans who helped shift the balance of power in the house of representatives . an extension of conservatives' unhappiness with president obama . nationwide, 54% of all voters said they wanted change.

>> i think it's very exciting for job growth and the economic outlook for the next few years.

>> reporter: in miami, she's staying strong considering her party took a beating. now she wants both sides to get to work.

>> don't focus on president obama and him getting out of there. that's neither here nor there. you were sent there to work for the people to help this country and that's what you need to be doing.

>> reporter: the day after an election,