University City Polling Places Experience Few Problems on Election Day

Ann Kushmerick

Things were generally calm at three polling locations in University City on Election Day 2004. Volunteers at the polls reported smooth sailing, with a few moments of excitement. Due to recent nationwide registration controversies, Philadelphia expected major issues at the polls on November 2, especially in mostly African America districts. In mid afternoon at the polling location on 34th and Baring Street, few voters were seen going in or out of this community center. Will Flander, 49, Greenfield Mass., was stationed at this polling place as a member of Election Protection, a non-partisan voting rights organization. Flander, an attorney, was there to help with any legal issues which might arise during the election.

When asked why he traveled to Philadelphia from Massachusetts for Election Day, Flander said, “I just wanted to do something. I came to the closest city where there was action.” This comes as no surprise, since in recent months Pennsylvania, and in particular Philadelphia, has been analyzed and scrutinized. Pennsylvania has been deemed a “battleground state” whose voters can greatly influence the outcome of the presidential election. When questioned about any controversies he observed this Election Day, Flanders discussed some issues about voters who have recently moved. At this polling place, Election Protection heard that voting officials were allowing voters who had recently moved into this district to vote here, despite the rule that they must vote in their previous district for a period of time. Flander’s duty was to notify the election officials that this is the wrong procedure.

Flander noted that Election Protection has 25, 000 volunteers nationwide on Election Day and 1,500 in Philadelphia alone. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that each voter’s rights are preserved and that the integrity of the election process is maintained. Such watch-dog groups could be seen everywhere this Election Day, undoubtedly as a result of the election fiasco in Florida 2000. Regarding this, Flander commented, “Another rule we’ve been watching out for is that police have to stay 100 feet away from polls. In Florida, police set up road blocks so people couldn’t get to polls.” He had not noticed anything like that in Philadelphia.

At a nearby polling place, at the Powelton School on 36th and Powelton Ave., few voters seemed to be entering or exiting at 4 pm. Most of the voters, election officials, and volunteers here were African American. Noticeably, all of the election signs outside were democratic, with the exception of one Arlen Spector sign. The community seemed very involved here, and they were even conducting a Bake Sale outside the polling place. Election Protection volunteers were also stationed here, but no problems had occurred.

At another polling location, the Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave., a large line of voters snaked from the entrance. The vast majority of these voters were students, and few were minorities. The Move On organization had a table set up here, with donuts and coffee. When asked what their mission was on Election Day, a volunteer said that they were asking voters if they had been contacted by Move On. The volunteers wanted to confirm how many individuals whom they had contacted had actually gone out and voted. The Move On volunteers also claim to offer directions to voters who are confused about their place of voting.

Volunteers for Election Protection were also present at this polling place, though they were more vocal. They claimed that things had been generally quiet throughout the day, at least in light of the expectations. Sharvon Washington, 37, Philadelphia, of Election Protection, offered some examples of controversy throughout the day. She noted that the district is predominantly students, many of whom recently registered to vote. Some of their registrations were not properly documented, according to election officials. Washington claimed that the officials began accepting student ID’s, instead of ID’s which include address information, so that many of these students could vote. Also, Washington stated that at one point an election judge ran out of the polling place after a woman whom he claimed voted twice. However, by the time he got outside, she was gone. Perhaps most shocking, Washington said, “A couple tried to go in and read the machines. The judge asked them for proper documentation.” The mysterious couple was forced to leave the polling place soon after. Washington added, “We got a call that it happened at another location, but different people. Were they being honest? We don’t know.”

Another campaigner at the Community Center, Angel Ashley, 25, Philadelphia, was seen wearing an Arlen Spector shirt. She stated, “I’m just here to get paid. Republicans pay more.” She then displayed her Kerry paraphernalia underneath the Spector shirt. Ashley was getting paid per hour to stand outside the polling place with her Spector shirt and Spector handouts. She said that her entire family is doing the same, even though they personally support the democratic candidates. Ashley said that her mother, campaigning for Spector at the Powelton School polling location, experienced a disgruntled voter today. The voter became enraged at the sight of her Spector sign. “Someone took the sign and threw it in the trash!” Ashley exclaimed. “She went and got it and put it up higher.” Perhaps such individuals, who vote one way yet campaign for the opposition for money, will impact this election’s results.