Dear Arthur and friends,
My job on Election Day happened to be to drum up support for Democratic candidates in front of a local elementary school. Amazing things I saw in terms of voter turnout. Usually, the Curvin-McCabe Elementary School draws 200 voters in an average local election.
Either because of the Obama interest or the mayoral race, or both, about 1,200 plus voters acted on their civil rights. What seemed even more fascinating involved the age of the voters: about 16 percent of the voters, aged 18 to 35 years probably voted for the first time. In addition many new voters showed the new demographics of Ward One: more black and Hispanic voters who enter the polling places with their favorite electronic devices or headphones as they text messaged or rapped
Some very interesting reactions I noticed as I left the polling places. One teenaged voter danced as he left the elementary school. Another woman, about 45 years old, cried. Two women prayed on the Cottage Street sidewalk. In order to vote, some disabled senior citizens mounted the stairs with an abudance of enthusiasm and energy. About two dozen drivers honked and yelled for a victory for Barack Obama as if in a Red Sox World Series celebration.
The lesson the Rhode Island State Democratic Party should learn from this exciting experience: Getting interesting candidates means more and various voters will exercise their right to vote.
I was glad I participated.
Peace,
Jim
