Election Day Interview

​Today is November 2, 2010: voting day. We were given an assignment in American History to simply go to our polling place and get an interview with a voter. My polling place is at the Crispin Meeting House which is also referred to as the Crispin Athletic Club; it's right down the street from my house. 
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​I landed an interview with a guy named Michael. He was really nice and extremely up for an interview. 

​Donna: Hi, my name is Donna Survillo. I'm a junior at the Science Leadership Academy and for history class, we were given an assignment to interview a voter today. Would you be willing to answer a few questions for me?

​Michael: Sure!

​Donna: Cool, so lets get started. What actually motivated you to come out and vote today?

​Michael: Well, I believe that a good citizen should always vote and since I try every day to be the best citizen that I can, I decided to vote. My belief in a democracy also played a part in voting today. Without a democracy, we don't have a working country; in my eyes at least. 

​Donna: I agree. Do you vote in every election?

​Michael: Yes, I believe that it's important to vote in every election. It's easy enough to get your research of the candidates online if you're not sure of who you want to vote for. There's no excuse for not voting. 

​Donna: [Laughs] Yeah, I believe that everyone should vote in every election. It's important. But do you know why exactly we vote on Tuesdays? 

​Michael: Nope.

​Donna: Well, when voting first started, it was a pretty busy schedule for everyone. People needed to keep in line with their work as well as their days of worship. And because the voting couldn't go past November 8th or 9th, Tuesday was the most sensible day to vote. Everyone was given the chance to travel to their polling place and back without interfering with their work, days of worship or marketing day. 

​Michael: Wow! I didn't know that! That's pretty impressive for you to know! 

​Donna: [Laughs] We learned it in our history class. Thanks to my teacher, I now know that and so do you! So, on my way over here, I noticed a lot of campaign ads on the side of the building, on people's front lawns, fences and doors. Where have you seen the most ad campaigning? 

Michael: I would have to say on Television. I'm not on the internet very often, but I do watch TV a lot [laughs]! So yes, television would have to be my answer to that. 


​Donna: Me too. It's pretty much a tie between the internet and TV. Maybe even history class since they're brought in and hung up on our board. I'd have to take a count!

​Michael: That's great for teens your age to be getting more and more educated about the voting experience!

​Donna: Yep! But what changes to you hope to see in Philadelphia as a result of this election? 

​Michael: Well, I'm really hoping to see a fix in some of the Philadelphia bond issues. We need help in selling city bonds to help out with parks and recreational centers. That's one thing that's always been really important to me.

​Donna: I think that would be great to see! Well, thank you so much for your time Michael! 

​Michael: It was a great pleasure Donna! Thanks for coming out today! 

​That concluded my interview with Michael. I took a few pictures of the voting area. I thought it was a great experience. At first I was kind of nervous to get an interview because the people around my neighborhood aren't the most social people in the world, but I went for it anyways. Here are a few pictures:

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