A voter and her son leave the Lancaster Township 8-D polling place at Millersville Bible Church on June 2, 2020.
Kate Landis / PA Post
For some black voters in the midstate, a vote is a call for change
"It seems like, instead of us going forward, to get together and prosper, we’re just pedaling backwards.”
-
Rachel McDevitt/StateImpact Pennsylvania -
Brett Sholtis
Kate Landis / PA Post
A voter and her son leave the Lancaster Township 8-D polling place at Millersville Bible Church on June 2, 2020.
(Harrisburg) — As they went to the polls, midstate voters cited issues ranging from community concerns over property taxes to state support for people and businesses affected by the coronavirus shutdowns.
But for some black voters, Tuesday’s primary is about something more fundamental.
Shera Long, 56, said she thinks about her three children and seven grandchildren, when she votes.
“I want to see them grow up,” she said.
Brett Sholtis / WITF
Shera Long stands for a portrait after voting in Carlisle, Cumberland County, on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.
The Carlisle resident said instances of police brutality show America isn’t safe for people of color. She said she feels like it’s getting worse with a divisive president in the White House.
“And it seems like, instead of us going forward, to get together and prosper, we’re just pedaling backwards,” she said.
Lena Graham, a Democratic voter from Cumberland County, said instead of helping, she believes President Trump is fanning the flames of racial violence during a pandemic.
“The way he talks to people, he don’t have no respect for anybody. So, I don’t have time for that foolishness. He’s [going to] be a president, he should act like a president,” Graham said.
Graham and Long both said they plan to vote in November for the Democratic presidential nominee.
-
- A voter exiting the East Pennsboro 9 polling place, located at the East Penn Senior Center in Enola, Pa., on June 2, 2020.
-
- A voter outside of East Pennsboro Middle School, where East Pennsboro 1, 3, 8, 9 polling places were all combined, on June 2, 2020.
-
- Poll workers at the 1st Ward/1st precinct in Harrisburg, Pa. wear face masks and shields to protect them against coronavirus during voting in the June 2, 2020, primary election.
-
- A poll worker holds open the door to the 1st ward/1st precinct polling location at Foose School Building in Harrisburg on June 2, 2020.
In Harrisburg, some black voters pointed to ongoing protests against police brutality and the coronavirus pandemic as reasons to get to the polls.
Peter Green brought a list of topics he’s concerned about to his polling place in the midtown neighborhood: nursing home care, police reform, education.
The warehouse fulfillment worker said he used to base his votes on a politician’s talking points and how much he liked the candidate.
But Green said he’s concerned by the unrest in cities across the country.
He said, ultimately, the way to create change is to vote.
“People died for voting. People fought for voting. And if you don’t vote, you don’t really have a lot of say,” Green said.
He said he wants to see actions from elected leaders that address the many factors that can cause racial inequality and tension.
“There’s a reason for everything happening,” he said. “Yeah, there’s people out there that’s taking advantage of it and taking the opportunity to push their agenda and all that kind of stuff. But still, we can’t discount that there’s a problem here.”
Anthony Cox, an attorney who lives in Harrisburg, said he wants to make sure politicians address police brutality and health care.
Cox had applied for a mail-in ballot, but hadn’t sent it in by the primary. He showed up to his polling place in person to make sure his vote counted and, he said, to make sure–
“People are in office that really represent me.”
Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, host Tim Lambert will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth.
