Photo essay: Pennsylvania voters on why they went to the polls on Tuesday

Several said it was because they wanted to make sure their vote would be counted.

• Kate Landis
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Kate Landis was previously events manager for PA Post. Prior to that, she worked at the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association where she was responsible for member services and events. She resides in Harrisburg with her dog, Quincy, is an avid camper, coaches CrossFit and competes in the sport regionally.
• Rachel McDevitt/StateImpact Pennsylvania
  BioRecent Stories

  

  I report on energy and the environment for StateImpact Pennsylvania at WITF.
  
  My work focuses on responses and solutions to climate change in the state legislature and communities around the state. I trace my interest in these issues back to my time as a Girl Scout and this episode of Rocko’s Modern Life.
  
  I look forward to winter just for the chance to ski a few times each season. I try to keep myself from doom-scrolling on my phone by keeping my hands busy knitting and learning to play the piano.
  
  I grew up in Cambria County, Pa. and graduated from Temple University. I started at WITF just after Christmas in 2014.

 Kate Landis / WITF

Voter Guardians with CASA hand a face mask to a woman at Harrisburg's 7th Ward 2nd Precinct on November 3, 2020.

Be patient: Results of the Nov. 3 election in Pennsylvania, and across the country, likely won’t be known for days. Here’s how WITF’s newsroom is covering the process.

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(Millersburg) — More than 3 million Pennsylvania voters requested mail-in ballots this year, and as of Tuesday evening about 81% of those ballots had been received by county election offices.

But millions of Pennsylvanians opted to instead head to the polls on Election Day. Most poll watchers throughout Dauphin County reported steady lines today, with spikes early in the morning and after 4 p.m.

We spoke with a handful of voters about why they voted this election.

Kate Landis / WITF

Marina Gilbert voted in-person at the Millersburg Borough polling place.

“As a female in the United States, I have the right to vote. I am proud to have been the first [person] in line this morning to make sure that my ballot will be counted.”
— Marina Gilbert, Millersburg

Kate Landis / WITF

Bill Eagle displays his “I Voted” sticker in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 3, 2020.

“I do not trust mail-in voting and wanted to make sure my vote was counted. ”
— Bill Eagle, Harrisburg

Rachel McDevitt / WITF

Sami-Jo Smith voted in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County on Nov. 3, 2020. Originally from Jamaica, Smith was struck by how the U.S. came together after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and she wanted to be a part of that unity. But she said the country looks nothing like that today.

“Right now, it’s either you’re a Democrat or a Republican and that is just such a horrible space to be in. We’re all human at the end of the day, and we’re all Americans.”
— Sami-Jo Smith, Susquehanna Township

Kate Landis / WITF

A box of supplies for Voter Guardians with CASA to hand out to voters at Harrisburg’s 15th Ward on Nov. 3, 2020.

Voter Guardians with CASA handed out masks, water and snacks while working at the polls at Harrisburg’s 15th Ward. CASA is an organization committed to ensuring under-represented minorities have access to voting.

Kate Landis / WITF

First-time voter Kuishawn Jackson cast his ballot in-person to experience the voting process in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 3, 2020.

“I voted today because one vote can make a difference.”
— Kuishawn Jackson, Harrisburg

Kate Landis / WITF

Shaquanna Felder and James May stand outside Harrisburg’s 15th Ward on Nov. 3, 2020.

“I have been here since 7 [a.m.] and haven’t seen any problems or issues.”
— James May, Harrisburg

Rachel McDevitt / WITF

Vietnam War veteran Mark Weinstein is a registered Democrat who voted for Trump in 2016 and again on Tuesday. “I vote for the person,” he said. He’s seen here outside his polling place in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County on Nov. 3, 2020.

Rachel McDevitt / WITF

John Bivins of Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County poses with a $10 million bill from a Donald Trump board game on Nov. 3, 2020. The “diehard Republican” said his top issue is national sovereignty. He rejected criticism that Trump has stoked racial tension in the country.

“The Republican Party does not hate. It’s not a party of hate. It’s not a party of bias. That’s just not true.”
— John Bivins, Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County

Kate Landis / WITF

Pat Steely cast her ballot in-person at Palmyra East’s polling so she could physically see her ballot be scanned and ensure it was counted on November 3, 2020.

Kate Landis / WITF

South Londonderry Township Police Sergeant Gerry Cassel voted in-person today at the Palmyra East precinct in Lebanon County on November 3, 2020.

Kate Landis / WITF

A line of voters in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 3, 2020.

A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.

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