Sade Skelton
Earth Stream
11/2/10

Piccoli Recreation Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjNCJuRmEXI



I went to my neighborhood recreation center which is Piccoli, to take pictures and to interview a person. I asked questions about the 2010 election, what they thought about it, & did they learn about it growing in school. I passed out papers with saying a voters right on it, & I drawled an art piece on the sidewalk outside of the voting center to let people know that every vote counts & getting out to vote will make a difference. I took pictures of everything then made a video that shows a student of Science Leadership Academy working outside of school, with voters to make a difference.

Interview with voter at Moore College

Question: What motivated you to come out and vote?
Answer: It is the duty of every citizen to to come out and vote, we live in a democracy and being able to vote is a cornerstone of that type of government.

Question; Do you vote in every election?
Answer:I try to always vote and if I know I'm not around I try to get an absentee ballot

Question: Where have you encountered the highest amount of ad campaigning?Answer: Radio

Question: Are you always sure of who you are going to vote for when you walk into the booth or are you still deliberating?
Answer: Oh…um, thats a good question, generally yes I usually know.
Question: How about today?
Answer: yes, when only 4 people are running its generally easy.

Question: Do you know why we vote on tuesdays?
Answer: no I actually do not.

-This is a blown up version of the sample ballot, I was not permitted to take a picture in the voting place, but this was on display outside along with Voter rights and regulations.

Natalie Sanchez 
Earth Stream
U.S. History


Interview with Anonymous at Amy 5:

Q- What motivated you to come and vote?
A- (mumble) well its to pick the correct candidate...the best candidate. 

Q-Do you vote in every election?
A- Yes

Q-How do you find out about the candidates running in the presidential race? How do you get information on them and what they are planning on doing? 
A- Uuuhh...


Q- Do you get it from TV, the internet, or paper...
A- I get it from the TV or from the paper.

Q-What impact do you feel that your vote will have on the election?
A-Every vote counts. If we get enough people thinking the same way, we will make a change.

Q- What was the most memorable campaign ad that you have encountered. 
A- The Obama Campaign ads.

Interview with Nilda Zabaleta:

Q- What motivates you to vote?
A- The fact that it is my right as a United States Citizen.

Q-Do you feel obligated to vote because of this?
A- No. No.

Q-Do you vote in every election?
A-Yes. I vote in every election. I never miss it.

Q-Where have you found out the most about the things that the candidates plan to do? Where do you find out about the candidates the most? TV, Internet, ads...
A- From the Television

Q-What was the most memorable campaign ad for you?
A- Obama's campaign was pretty memorable. 

Pictures:

At Webster Elementary
 

At Amy 5
 


Reflection:

I went to Amy 5 with my friend Elona because we live pretty close to each other. We were a bit nervous at first, but once we entered the voting place, it all seemed to go a bit more smooth. I was able to notice a little bit of tension in the answers that the people gave us, so Elona and I both decided not to push too much for answers. When we arrived, we talked to poll workers. We weren't able to talk to voters because they weren't there yet. After Elona and I collected our answers and pictures, we headed towards our separate ways. When I arrived home, my mother told me that she was going to go vote. She invited me to go with her. I took this opportunity so I could see the difference in voting buildings (though Elona and I live near each other, we have different voting buildings.). Our voting building was Webster elementary school. There, I was able to see how voting is manipulated even at the voting polls. When we arrived, I was surprised to find that the democratic party supporters were at the gate with little to no ads and casual clothing, while the Republican party supporters were standing closer to the entrance with big flashy signs and more business like clothing. I wondered whom the voters were going to pay attention to more, the democrats who they talked to earlier, or the republicans with the big flashy signs in their hands near the entrance of the voting polls. This polling center was much more friendly and much more diverse. I noticed that there were many more people there then there was at Amy 5. There were many kids there as well. I also noticed that though the voting polls are supposed to be non-partison, people were very open about their opinion. This was not a problem because most people shared very similar opinions. All in all, this was a very interesting and fun experience for me. I think it definitely motivated me to vote in the future.  

Shaw Anna H Middle School:
5400 Warrington Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19143-4899
Phone: (215) 727-2161 () ‎

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089133/Vote%201.mp3

​HERE is a video created to represent my voting day experience. (cross posted by julia boyer and maxime damis, edited and published to youtube by emma hersh)

Q: What motivated you to come out and vote?

A: It's my right and by voiting for a person who shares my views, I feel that my view is being represented.

Q: What would you like to see changed in our political system?

A: I would like for the healthcare system to be improved. Especially for seniors and retired individuals. I think seniors should have a free healthcare program because they helped as much as they could while they were working. 

Q: Do you vote in every election? 

A: No. I usually vote for president, senator, and governor.

Q: Do you know why we vote on Tuesdays?

A: Not a clue! But I think less people would vote on weekends because they may be away, and some people who work Mondays through Fridays will be too lazy to do so.

Q: Where have you encountered the highest amount of ad campaigning? 

A: I would say I've encountered the highest amount of ad campaigning on radio stations and also television commercials.

Q: What was the most memorable campaign that you have encountered?

A: I remember an ad campaign that said something about one of the candidates only caring about the Chinese. It just seemed so ridiculous and outspoken to me. 

Q: Are you always sure of who you are going to vote for when you walk into the booth or are you still deliberating?

A: Absolutely! I always think pretty carefully before I vote. I've always had a clear decision as I walked into the booth. 

Q: What changes do you hope to see in Philadelphia as a result of this election?

A: I would like to encounter street repairs, housing for homeless, and guns off the street.

Q: Did you learn about voting in school? If yes, did that impact your willingness to vote today?

A: I don't remember learning about voting in school. I guess that means it didn't impact my willingness to vote today.

Elona Myftaraj 11-2-10


Voting Address:

3380 Richmond St

Philadelphia, PA 19134

(215) 291-4172

School Website

 

Interview

Q - What would you like to see changed in our political system?
  A - "Nothing, I think we have a pretty good system going"

Q - Do you know why we vote on tuesday?
A - "No, I don't" 

Q - Are you always sure of who your going to vote for when you walk into the booth or are you still deliberating?
A - "I always know who Im going to vote for"?

Q - What impact do you think your vote will have on the election?
A - "I think that every vote counts, and if enough people think the same way we can have an impact."


Q - Where have you encountered the highest amount of ad campaigning?Radio, Tv, print, internet, other.
A - "I'd have to say tv and the paper mostly."

The person chose to stay anonymous.


Reflection:

I was kind of nervous to start but after I opened the door the people were really nice. They pointed me to the direction of the voting closed the door behind me. I went around 3:00 in the afternoon, so there was no one there beside the people that aid in the voting process. I told one of them my purpose for being there and asked if it was ok to ask him a few questions. After a little thought he said sure, no problem but I want to remain anonymous, I said that was fine and asked him the questions. Afterward I thanked them and left. It was a surprisingly pleasant experience for me. 

Vichhay Roeung
Earth - USH 
11/2/10

John M Patterson
7000 Buist Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19142

1. Why do you think we vote on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November?
"Better date, I don't know I have no idea."

2. How do you think votes usually obtain the information about the candidates?
"I think from the television, that's how i get mines, i pay attention to what on the news for when it is time to be elected."

3. What do you think motivate voters to come out and vote?
"To vote is because we want a better change."

4. What turns a voter away?
"If what they stand for is not right."

5. How often do you or other voters vote?
"I vote every election, I saw a lot well not saw but know there were millions."

6. What do you think is the best method to increase voter turnout?
"Get them more interested in what's going out in the world."   
 

Voting Assignment
PHILADELPHIA WD 42 PCT 06

WARD: 42 DIVISION: 6

 

POLLING PLACE:

Wyoming Library

 

ADDRESS:

E Wyoming Ave & B St

Philadelphia, PA 19120

Voter #1 Gentleman

Interview Questions and Answers

 

1. What motivated you to come out and vote?

It’s a change. “I want to keep (one of the political parties) out of office.”  If my vote makes a difference, then yeah for sure I will come out and vote

 

2. Do you vote in every election?

“Yes I do!” It needs to be a change.

 

3. What changes do you hope to see in Philadelphia as a result of this election?

The streets need to be cleaned up, there is too much killing and I really would like to see the cops stop being “crooked”  “Just let justice be.”

 

4. What impact do you feel that your vote will have on the election?

I hope it has a big impact. The (one of the political parties) are being ridiculous, I don’t like that, them telling us what to do and all.

 

5. Did you learn about voting in school?

I learned about voting in the streets, and catching on to what was going on around me.

 

 

Voter #2 Neighbor/Close Friend

Interview Questions and Answers

 

 1.What motivated you to come out and vote?

I want to have a say on what’s going on in my country.

 

2. Do you vote in every election?

Yes.

3. What changes do you hope to see in Philadelphia as a result of this election?

“I know that all changes can’t exactly be mad because of the fact of it being so many changes needed to be done, but just one would be mad. I cannot say exactly what because there is just so many, but as I said one change would satisfy me “

 

4. What impact do you feel that your vote will have on the election?

“I’m going to be a winner. I’m a senior so I’ll get something good, I know that its going to count. If I get what I want, that’ll be great.“

 

5. Did you learn about voting in school? If yes, did that impact your willingness to vote today?

Of course, in school we would have like a play example of the presidential election and there we would be able to vote. Also in my house, I grew up with parents who thought of voting as a must; to have a say on what you thought in the country and what was going on.

 

.

Voter #3 Woman

Interview Questions and Answers

 

1.What motivated you to come out and vote?

 The negative adds on television made me want to come out and vote so that can be changed.

 

2. Do you vote in every election? (How regularly do you vote?)

Almost every election, some reasons on why I don’t wouldn’t vote depended on the whether, how I felt, work.. etc Although I have been in general regularly voting since 1976.

 

3. What changes do you hope to see in Philadelphia as a result of this election?

I’m hoping that the mess in Philadelphia will get cleaned up as well as with the economy that needs to get “cleaned up” as well.

 

4. Did you learn about voting in school? If yes, did that impact your willingness to vote today?

Yes I did learn about voting in school, although no I do not think that, by that happening it has a impact on my willingness to vote today..

 

 

Reflection:

All right, so after my first interview, I had an altercation with the judge of elections, he found out about the assignment and asked me how old I was, I told him my age and he immediately responded to my answer with a stern “No you cannot be under the age of 18 talking about political subjects.” He then took my paper and said he was to call his DA and ask them about it. I honestly within that moment of time pondered on the statement. Being as though I’m not 18 I cannot have speak on political subjects? That’s very interesting, I actually feel otherwise. Why shouldn’t I have a say or speak upon political subjects? I do live in this country… I mean it just makes sense that I should, if in history class we speak on the subject of voting, which is a political subject, when I come to just ask a voter a few questions on the importance and meaning of voting to them, why would I have to be 18 to do such? Anyways, when the judge of elections, went to call his DA, his DA simply felt that it was all right, just to do the assignment I was sent out to do, in which in that case I finished interviewing some voters. I understood that it is never okay to ask a voter on whom they have voted for. That is just impolite, and I would never; that is personal and morally wrong. The assignment wasn’t to question any voter on whom they voted for, but for the voter to know their rights as a voter, and for the voter to be informed on the importance of voting.