A year after the historic presidential election, turnout was widely expected to be lower this year. But voters who showed up on a handsome fall afternoon in North Philadelphia’s Olde Kensington neighborhood said it’s always essential to know the candidates and the issues, and to be heard.
Chakeena Gibbons, 46, said she came to the polling station on the corner of Cadwallader and West Oxford streets on Tuesday wanting to take part in more than just the presidential elections held in recent years.
“I’ve really tried to get involved in community issues, at the City Council level, etc. So when the time comes, I’ll be able to have a general idea of who I’ll be voting for,” she said. “Before, I only went one way. But now you want to have a general idea of what each candidate stands for, so that ultimately you can help, not hurt.”
Many voters focused on the so-called nonpartisan retention votes for three state Supreme Court justices —Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht. The state Republican Party took the unusual step of campaigning to oust the trio, all of whom were Democrats.
Of the people interviewed who revealed how they voted, all of them supported retaining the three judges.
“I actually came out because I’m poor and I wish I could afford it, and I think the only way we can really do that right now is through the court system,” said Andrew Robertson, 40. “This is probably the most important election in the next two years. If we can do something, that’s what we can do.”
Nicole Moy, a Democratic committeewoman for the district, worked at the station shortly after it opened. She said turnout in the morning election was fairly similar to previous elections outside of the year she worked.
Moy said she expects the next substantial wave to arrive after the time-honored day shifts end. She said the message from this year’s election for her party is “try voting from the grassroots.”
“Honestly, in my experience, this is one of the most important elections because of everything that’s going on – the climate, the environment,” she said. “Usually people skip elections like this, but they don’t know or understand how important it is to make sure you vote for your judges and anyone who influences them at the local level.”
Elliot Lopez, 34, agreed with Moy, saying much of the “turbulence and madness” in politics today is because people are not paying attention to their leaders on the local scene.
“A lot of people think about the grander stage of the presidential election and so on,” he said. “But many of these political leaders in our local space are very important, and many people don’t know who they are or who they are voting for.”
Keely Dennis, 28, voted during the afternoon run. She said voting was not an option for her.
“I feel like I don’t really have a choice. I feel like it’s important that we vote every time,” she said. “It’s my civic duty. Yes, don’t even think about it. Just come and vote every time.”
“I believe that voting still works and that it is one of our most powerful tools to influence the functioning of our government and society,” said Josh Willis (43). “I think it’s important for the democratic process and we need to do it.”
“The type of crisis this country is facing right now, every vote counts. That’s why I’m leaving now,” said Nicholas Romitelli, 30, who added that he votes regularly and encouraged those who tend to stay out of the house to vote.
