Interview #1: Ray Bailey (committee member)

I'm a committee person for the Democratic party. My job is to make sure that people vote, and have the right to let their voice be heard.

2. What would you like to see changed in our political system?

I would like to see the people be more educated about the process of how you become a candidate, and how the votes are tallied up.

3. Do you vote in every election? 

Yes I do. Every election.

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

The changes that I'd like to see in this election, would be that the candidates live up to their promises.

5. How would you feel if voting was mandatory?

I would feel that it takes away a person's right to choose to vote or not. 

Interview #2: Faye Tyler

I'm a good citizen. It's my duty.

2. What would you like to see changed in our political system?

I don't really know. There are a few things that I would like to see changed, but I can't think of them all now. 

3. Do you vote in every election? 

Yes I do.

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

Hopefully, a cleaner city.

5. How would you feel if voting was mandatory?

I would feel uncomfortable. If I knew I had to, it wouldn't feel the same to me. 

Interview #3: Judge John Younge

I always vote. It was taught to me by my parents. They're from the South, and they always voted. I didn't know people didn't vote until I got older.

2. What would you like to see changed in our political system?

I'd like to see a city where there is a minimization of money in politics. That the political figures focus on issues.

3. Do you vote in every election? 

Yes.

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

I hope we get our fiscal house in order. And that we fix our tax situation, so that we attract businesses and people to our city. All this without harming poor people.

5. How would you feel if voting was mandatory?

This is a free country. With that comes the choice to vote. Maybe if we did early voting, or computerized voting, or maybe even voting on the weekend. Mandatory voting would be against our constitutional right to vote. 

Interview #4: Janienne Hinton

To make sure I have a voice.

2. What would you like to see changed in our political system?

More cooperation among different parties.

3. Do you vote in every election? 

Yes.

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

More funds for the school system, and city services

5. How would you feel if voting was mandatory?

I'm for it if there's no fine. If there is a fine, I would be against it. 

Interview #5: Linda Tripp

It's my civic duty.

2. What would you like to see changed in our political system?

That both political parties get together to make Pennsylvania a better state.

3. Do you vote in every election? 

Yes.

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

Hopefully, both parties get together to change the future of our city and state.

5. How would you feel if voting was mandatory?

I'd feel uncomfortable. To make me vote for someone I don't want or have to vote for would make me uncomfortable. 

*The following interview was conducted the following day (Monday) via email*

Interview #6: W. Wilson Goode Jr. (Councilman - at - Large)

1. What would you like to see changed in our political system?

My law enacted campaign contribution limits but it's up to the "one person- one vote" to prevail.

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

I will continue to increase economic opportunity in terms of creating new jobs, better wages and benefits as well as business and workforce diversity.

3. How do you think we can improve voter turnout in Philadelphia?

People vote when they believe that it will make a difference.

4. What inspired you to run for office? 

I'm the son of a Mayor but also the grandson of sharecroppers who endured economic discrimination - I fight for justice!

5. How do you feel about making voting mandatory?

People should go to the polling place to vote even if they don't like any of the candidates - and there is a ""NO CONFIDENCE" vote option.

1: What motivated you to come out and vote? 

I feel as though it is my right, (that people caught hard for me to have) so it is my duty. Every vote counts and i want my voice/ opinion to be heard. 

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

I wish we could all just get along to get to that common goal. I also believe that certain people get paid to much and their salaries need to be looked at and re-evaluated given our current economic situation. 

3: Do you vote every election? 

Yes, I vote every year. 

4: Do you know why we vote on Tuesday? 

Not a clue 

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

tv 

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

I don't really pay attention to them because they say nasty things about each other. 

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

yes 

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

hope if the mayor is re elected that the people of philly realize we need to make some changes and they don't shoot down all his ideas. Something has to give. 

9: What impact do you hope to see in Philadelphia as a result of this election? Did you learn about voting in school? If yes, did that impact your willingness to vote today?  

I feel every vote counts and there really wasn't a lot of people voting today so my vote hopefully will make that much more of a difference. I learned about voting from my mom. She reinforced how important it is to be heard and reminded me it is a privilege to be able to vote. People in other countries don't have that capability. 

Q:Do you know why they vote on Tuesday?

A: Truthfully no. And honesty it's a waste, time off from work that I don't need.

Q:Do you think it's important that young people vote?

A: I do believe that young people should vote. But I don't think they should vote until they are in their 20's. They are just beginning to vote and don't know how to works and their vote might not even count until a more important and memorable election.

Q:How long have you been voting?

A: For 10 > years

Q: How far do you live from the polls?

A: I live just around the corner

Q: Do you think it's hard for other people to come and vote?

A: Yes I do. Like I said earlier it cuts time out of work.

Q: Have you voted everywhere?

A: No I have not.

Q: If voting were online, would you consider it voting every year?

A: No, because I'm not into technology since I'm older. But yes because it would be more convenient to other people.

1.     What motivated you to come out and vote?

My daughter. Just setting out a good example, for her, and her generation. I also came out because it seems as if its my right as a U.S. citizen to do so.

2.     what would you like to see changed in our political system?

I would like to see them find a valuable candidate to run against Mayor Nutter. I want to have choices of people that would be willing to run this city in a demanding, organized, sufficient way. I want someone to take control and recognize the poor, struggling areas of Philadelphia.

3.     Do you vote in every Election?

Yes I do, even though sometimes I’m not sure who I’m voting for.

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

As a result of this election I hope that more funding comes into Philadelphia, to create systems that would help create more jobs. After this election, I hope to see new businesses created, that would also help promote new jobs.

5.     Are you always sure of who you are going to be voting for when you walk into the booth or are you still deliberating?

If it’s a major election, I know exactly who I’m voting for, but for general elections I am sometimes undecided. Mostly, because I am unfamiliar with the people running, such as councilman.

Lady #2:

1.     What motivated you to come out and vote?

I just wanted to make sure my voice was heard, because one vote can change everything. Every vote counts.

2.     what would you like to see changed in our political system?

I want to see actual people of the United States to have a say, in political decisions. Also, I want to see people having a true representation of politics in political parties.

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

Well as of now, economy is a huge issue, especially in Philadelphia. In this city there are so many people that are unemployed, which is a problem. So what I want to see happen is for Philadelphia to get more jobs for people.

4.     Where have you encountered the highest amount of ad campaigning? Radio, T.V. print, internet other.

Television, definitely television. T.V. is one of the main assets to persuading a person to vote, due to campaigning commercials, and ads. They are always visible on the screen.

5.     Do you vote every election?

I try to, but sometimes small elections I don’t take much importance to, but big elections, I am always there, guaranteed.

Lady #3

1.     What motivated you to come out and vote?

I vote because it is my right, and a privilege to do so, as an African American woman of the U.S. Back in the 60’s people have sacrificed so much so that we can vote, and I refuse to let all that hard work go to waste. By voting I feel like I am paying back my respects to the people back in the day, that couldn’t.

2.     What would you like to see changed in our political system?

Well, in the begging, before elections even start, I hate the fact that candidates think it would give them more power to explicitly say negative comments about the people running against them. I think that’s fake, and rude. So I think what should change is the way candidates persuade people to vote for them.

3.     Do you vote every election?

Yes I do. I do it because 1. I work here. And two I think that every person should be involved in political affairs. We are the people, and it’s the only opportunity we’ve got to say what we want, how we want things to run, its all up to us, for once we have the power.

4.     Where have you encountered the highest amount of ad campaigning? Radio, T.V. print, internet other.

T.V., CNN, the news.

5.     Are you always sure of who you are going to be voting for when you walk into the booth or are you still deliberating?

Most of the time I am, and if I’m not, once I get to the booth I have a pretty good idea of who I’m rutting for

1.     What motivated you to come out and vote?

I feel like its my duty to do so, and my privilege because back when I was a kid, African Americans weren’t given the equal rights to vote, and so to honor my ancestors, and my history, I vote. 

2.     What would you like to see changed in our political system?

I would like an end to the mud slinging. Which is when candidates say bad, hurtful things to one another, in order to get elected. I just think that brings a whole bunch ciaos for nothing.

3.     Do you vote every election?

Yes I do, I never miss an election.

4.     What was the most memorable campaign ad that you have encountered?

I thought the most memorable campaign ad was during the presidential election of Obama. Seeing an African American on a screen, running as a candidate to be president I thought was a miracle. Personally, I didn’t even know African Americans were even allowed to run for president to tell you the truth. I just never thought it could happen.

5.     What impact do you feel your vote will have on the election? Did you learn about voting in school? If yes. Did that impact your willingness to vote today.

I vote mostly because of self-motivation, but I also vote to make a change for future generations to come. I vote because it is the only way my voice can be heard, and its only through a push of a button. No I did not learn how to vote when I was in school. 

Q: What would you like to see change in our political system?
A: One more party at least, because I think the turn out results would be better.

Q: Do you vote in every election?
A: No, perfect example of change or turn over. Mostly only primary elections do I place my vote in.

Q: Do you know why we vote on Tuesdays?
A: Hmm I used to know why, Let me think! No I don't actually know why.

Q: Where have you encountered the highest amount of ad campaigning? Radio, TV, print, Internet, other.

A: Presidentially, most commonly I have seen TV campaigning and Ads that are featured on the Internet as well.