Continue reading »]]> by Janine Mack

© 2012 Janine Mack

Redeemer Covenant Church in Liverpool was packed with voters this morning. Volunteers served cookies and cider to voters. The volunteers were busy on the phone calling the Onondaga County Board of Elections, because the redistricting had voters in the wrong polling places.

There were about 30 voting stations at this location yet there was still a steady line of voters into and out of the church. The voters at this location tended to be older, but they were very passionate about practicing in the democratic process.

The volunteers went around asking people if they had special requests or prayers for friends and family. The voters talked about everything from the local candidates to helping out victims of superstorm Sandy.

Joan Smith is retired and a Democrat. She voted in every election since the 1970′s. She grew in the Washington, D.C., area with politics in her backyard. She still remembers talking about politics at dinner time and that her “parents always voted.”

Loranna Norix agreed that even though it’s not the 1960′s anymore, it’s more important than ever to vote for “the good, bad and the ugly”.

Norix says she is a Republican and voted every year since she became a United States citizen.

The voters said the process went well, but they liked the old voting machines better.

Redeemer Covenant Church will be opened until 9 p.m. today.

Continue reading »]]> by Janine Mack

© 2012 Janine Mack

At North Central Assembly of God in Liverpool, there was a short line of ten people waiting to vote. There were ten voting stations. The church served coffee and tea. There was a bake sell in the front as people walked it. Men and women of all ages walked in the vote for national and local elections. There were at least three women with their children voting.

The volunteers made sure the voters knew where to go and how to make sure the vote was counted. Many of the volunteers commented that there was a steady stream of people, but that turnout was slow for a presidential election.

Dan Williams, the pastor, said he voted at Fairmount Community Church at 7 a.m. before helping out with the polls. Williams would not say he who he voted for, but said, “It’s important to know your belief and conviction.”

Williams, said “Freedom is a God-given right” and “it’s an honor to vote.”

Melissa Cleeton, hair dresser, would not say who she voted for, but said she did her research on the candidates. This was her first time coming into vote in person instead of voting via absentee ballot.

“I hope everyone will vote. Don’t be as nervous as me. As a 20-something, I feel it’s important for our future,” Cleeton said.

North Central Assembly of God will be opened until 9 p.m. today.

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by Nick Smith

Spirits were high at the Republican election party for Syracuse’s 24th Congressional District. Supporters for all GOP candidates gathered in the meeting room of the Double Tree Hotel at Carrier Circle, watching the TVs as the ballots were counted.Many were friends and family of the candidates, as well as their campaign volunteers.

One such volunteer, however, was a rather unlikely guest. He had volunteered for the opponent’s campaign.
The 21-year-old college student, who asked to be referred to only as John, had worked for the past several months as a campaign volunteer for Dan Maffei. While taking classes at Onondaga Community College, he would spend his free time making calls posting flyers on behalf of the Democratic candidate.  He supported Maffei until one day a friend introduced him to Republican Anne Marie Buerkle.

“She goes out of her way to introduce herself and get to know you,” he said, “I’ve only met her twice and she remembered my name the second time I met her.”

John says that he simply just didn’t feel the same way when he met with Maffei.

“I’ve met Dan like five times,” he said, “and he still doesn’t remember my name.”

Continue reading »]]> By Molly Gase (Syracuse)

Each voter filling in the bubbles on their ballots at the 2^nd Ward polling place, CNY Works on North Franklin Street, came to their decision through their own process. Minds whirling with thoughts of helping to direct the path of the government, voters came out in a steady flow to cast their vote. Thomas Panek came to the poll with his conscience as his guide.

“I vote by conscience,” said Panek, a 55-year-old self-employed man, voting in the 2^nd Ward. Panek explained that instead of restricting himself to one party, he lets his conscience guide his choices as he casts his ballot. An energetic man, Panek spoke of the importance of voting. “You’re not really anybody till you actually start voting,” said Panek.

The importance of being able to cast his vote is something that Panek was raised to understand and find valuable. “I was raised in a family where my parents came from Europe after World War II, and part of growing up with them was they had a vote to make a difference and all of us were raised that way, to vote,” said Panek.

With the past in his eyes, Panek shifted to speaking of his vote in the current election. Panek said he votes in every election, including primaries, but does not follow any specific party lines. “I vote my conscience. I am out there. I see who’s doing what, I see who responds when I email them, write to them, or ask them a question. So that’s what I base it on,” said Panek.

On a national level, Panek discussed his frustration over political parties playing games just to beat the other party. “I feel that the Republicans that I voted for or the Democrats that I voted for should represent the district and not play these stupid games. If the president had brought that up during the campaign, people would have really felt that and thought about it…would have made a difference and he never mentioned it. It’s funny,” said Panek.

Continue reading »]]> by Durrie Lawrence (Syracuse) - Hours before they would find out election results, candidates brushed elbows at the Our Lady of Pompei Spaghetti Lunch on Syracuse’s Northside.

The Our Lady of Pompei School opens their cafeteria every year on Election Day for a spaghetti lunch fundraiser. (c) Durrie Lawrence, Democracy in Action

Congressional candidates Dan Maffei and incumbent Ann-Marie Buerkle, R-Syracuse, greeted volunteers and voters, and gave last-minute interviews with reporters. State Senator John DeFrancisco dashed in for a moment.

It was a chance to put politics aside over spaghetti and meatballs. This is the 63^rd year that the parochial school has opened up their cafeteria on Election day for a fundraiser lunch. Volunteers say the day has become a tradition.

“It’s helping the school and the church take care of the students and their activities,” said Samuel Spadaro, 86, who grew up on Syracuse’s Northside and belongs to the parish.

Spadaro said he has volunteered for the event almost every year since 1958.

Syracuse City Council President Van Robinson kept a low profile, dining with friends and donning a dark blue Obama cap as he left. He says he’s only missed one year since he began his political career.

“It’s amazing how people of all different backgrounds, walks of life, ethnicities, can come together and say hey!–for at least an hour, we’re all one,” Robinson said.

“I guess that’s what they say democracy is all about.”

-30-

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Maizie Shaw and her son, Carlos, came out to vote at the Manlius Town Hall, three hours before the polls closed. It’s Carlos’ first time voting. Photo by Gwendolyn Craig.

By Gwendolyn Craig

Stars had just started to poke out from the sky.  The November chill sent people getting out of work rushing into the Manlius Town Hall to get warm, but more importantly, to vote.  A lone blue heron circled overhead in the navy blue sky.  Its croaks pierced the air as its pterodactyl shape, a mere shadow, glided back and forth.

Herons are considered good omens, and on this election night, Maizie Shaw, 46, and her son, Carlos Shaw, 20, are hoping their votes will make a difference.

“I’m excited,” said Carlos Shaw, who works as a therapy aid at Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse.  “It’s my first time voting.  I don’t want Romney running our country, so that’s why I’m here.”

Maizie Shaw and her son are both Democrats.  They are concerned about taxes and the economy.  Maizie Shaw is a social worker for the Central New York Psychiatric Center, and as a state employee, has felt the pinch of the economy firsthand.

“For me right now it’s about the economy, getting some jobs and sustaining some jobs,” she said.  “We got hit really hard, a lot of cuts in staff and salaries.  We’re on a freeze right now for salaries.  I am definitely voting for Obama.  If I want to have a say, I have to vote.”

Both mother and son were excited to go to the polls together.  Carlos Shaw said while he’s glad to vote, he’s not happy with the idea of the Electoral College.  He thinks the system doesn’t allow his vote to matter very much.  He smiles.

“But I’m here, so I guess I don’t really believe that,” he said.

Continue reading »]]> Newhouse photography student captures the American experience of voting abroad

What’s it like to be living outside the U.S. and participate in an American election? SU Abroad student Rebekah MacKay followed and photographed Americans living in London as they exercised their right to vote from across the pond. This slideshow appeared originally on Syracuse University News, story written by Kathleen Haley.

Continue reading »]]> Obama needs time

The polling center at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church © Jordan D. King

By Jordan D. King

SYRACUSE (NCC NEWS) - Jack Wilson, 67, a Syracuse taxi cab driver, considers himself independent when it comes to his party affiliation. But on Tuesday, Wilson took a strong stand against the Republican Party and voted for President Barack Obama.

“As a working class individual, I really don’t believe that the Republican Party is the right decision for working people and I’m not a billionaire,” Wilson said.

Wilson was part of a large turnout at the polling center at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Listen to the full story here: