Nearly 30 years ago, Ronald Reagan famously asked Americans, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" More than 60 NYCity News Service reporters fanned out through the city in the days before the historic Nov. 4 election to ask New Yorkers:

"Where do you want this country to be four years from now?"

First-Time Voter

Shawn Smith

Age: 39
Neighborhood: Flatbush
Occupation: Carpenter
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“Address the crisis.”

Louis Ross

Age: 45
Name: Louis Ross
Neighborhood: Alphabet City
Occupation: Grocery manager
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I would like to see more equal opportunity for minorities and for women.”

louis_ross_audio

Lorenzo Davis

Age: 24
Neighborhood: Brownsville
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“He was getting food stamps and all that. And I felt that namean. So, that’s why I’m voting.”

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Leonardo Vazquez

Age: 41
Neighborhood: Bay Ridge
Occupation: Food Service
First Time Voter: Will be eligible next election
Political Affiliation: Supports Democrats

“We come here for one reason: to give the best for our family.”

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Rose Sochan

Age: N\A
Neighborhood: Castle Hill, Bronx
Occupation: President of Avon by Rose Inc. (Green Acres Mall)
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I would like the economy to be much better.”

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Camille Lampel

Age: 18
Neighborhood: Washington Heights
Occupation: Student, Hunter College
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“We’re supposed to be world leaders. We’re supposed to be revolutionaries.”

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Derken Lima

Age: 21
Occupation: Student, York College
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I just want to be secure.”

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Daisy Ayala

Age: 20
Neighborhood: Kingsbridge Heights
Occupation: Student
First Time Voter: Yes
Party Affiliation: Democrat

“I want my son to grow up in a better community.”

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Victor Springer

Age: 20
Neighborhood: East Harlem
Occupation: Waiter
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Democrat

Angie Chin

Age: 26
Neighborhood: Bayside, Queens
Occupation: Resident, Pediatric Dentistry
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Independent

“I think I would rather live in a world where there’s social rights, but I get more taxed.”

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2008 Election