November 4, 2008

E-day: Faces of Early Voters in Minnesota

Posted by Rebecca McDonald at 11:00AM

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(This content is produced by Rock the Trail -- a parnership of Rock the Vote and WiretTap magazine. All photography by Rebecca “B FRESH” McDonald.)

7 a.m. At the University Avenue bus stop in St. Paul, Minnesota, Robina Rai continued her Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts from the night before. She is not a citizen, but has been active in both the 2004 and this year's election through the League of Young Voters, or as they say in the Twin Cities, the League of Pissed Off Voters. She took the bus from St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis, getting off at the University of Minnesota campus to make sure people are getting out to vote, and are informed about the candidates. The League put together voter guides for cities across the country, which can be found online at www.theballot.org.

8 a.m. Nellie Brau, on her way to class to take a test, chose to represent her excitement about this year's election with her American flag scarf.

Zubair Saiyed was campaigning on a busy corner of campus for Obama, letting people know he thinks Minnesota needs change. All over town, people on their way to class and work were greeted with the morning dew, and political flyers from the previous night's "Midnight Madness" flyering efforts.

9 a.m. On Nicollett Mall, Malissa Mallory, a special education teacher who was recently laid off, was on her way to get health insurance, vote and then go volunteer and make sure people are getting out to vote today.

9:30 a.m. Deangelo Jacox was on his way to school at Studio 4/High School for Recording Arts. He is not old enough to vote yet, but can't wait until the next election.

10:00 a.m. Franklin Delano-Nothing is an anarchist who believes people can organize and make change, even without a leader. He might vote today for the State Referenda on Clean Water, Wildlife, Cultural Heritage & natural Areas (AKA Vote Yes Minnesota), but he will not be voting for any individual person.

10:30 a.m. Robina makes her way back to University Avenue and gets off the bus at the Plasma Services building where a line has formed to donate plasma for money. She makes her way up the line, making sure people know where to vote and that they can register at the polls today, because Minn. has same-day registration. Today, she will also be poll-watching with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Minneapolis. The ACLU is part of a coalition of organizations that are making sure everything runs smoothly across the country today.

11:00 a.m. I finally make it to my voting location to cast my ballot. This is what I have been working toward for months and months. I can't wait until this day is over, so I don't have to see another nasty political advertisement on TV. I got my sticker, and checked out the ballot where kids can vote, too!