Voters keep eye on affordability, economic inequality at ballot box

WAKE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Less than 24 hours after the last polls closed for the November 4 election, exit polls showed the majority of Americans voted with two issues top of mind: economic inequality and affordability.

"It's just so much more expensive than even a decade ago now," said millennial Nick Keller. "It may not get better for us immediately. And may not be better in the next five or ten years. But someday, hopefully, when our kids are in our position, you know, in their twenties and thirties, it'll be better for them."

The 36-year-old was out shopping Wednesday at WalMart having voted the night before in Wake County.

"We're more connected to the world than ever before. (Millennials) have more knowledge available than ever before. But, the downside is we've really been through a lot. We don't have the same buying power that our parents or our grandparents did."

According to data, the top 10% of earners in the United States account for almost half of all American spending.

"I think if anything, all the things we've seen in our lifetime as millennials, that just shows that we can get through this and hopefully make it better for the future," said Keller.

However, one woman, who declined using her name doesn't believe younger generations will be able to experience the same financial freedom she did.

"I don't know they can," said the woman baby boomer. "For the Gen Z, the X's and there's what, alphas now or something, I don't see them as having the ability to have the same purchasing power with their money that we had like my family had," she said.

Despite the current financial climate, Keller said he is going to remain hopeful for him and younger generations.

"It's tough and it's hard to keep that outlook sometimes," said Keller. "But at the end of the day, when we bond together and stand for a common cause, that's when things happen."

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