‘I hope our voices are heard’: illustrated interviews with swing state voters in Pennsylvania

Last week, I made a short trip to Pennsylvania from New York to talk to people in this crucial swing state about the election.

I addressed people at random and asked them what this year’s election means to them and how they think the future will look like if Donald Trump or Kamala Harris would win.

The drawings were made there in ink on the spot, which allowed time to get to know the person a little. Some people I’d like to have drawn did not want to talk about the election and were reticent because they wanted to preserve their privacy or felt it is a too divisive subject.

Above: Orlando, a volunteer with VoteRiders

Orlando was part of an outreach team that went around Clark Park in Philadelphia that day. Vote Riders is a non-partisan national non-profit helping people to get voter ID “I’ve only been here [in the US] two years and being part of the election is a major thing, an experience. A lot of people don’t even know how to get voting, how to get started,” he said. “I got to realise how important it is, doing it and seeing the outcome.”

Musa setting up his stall at Clark Park farmers’ market in Philadelphia

“I don’t believe any of them are going to do anything for me – some of that stuff you’ve got to do for yourself,” he said. “I’m not going to vote for someone just because they’re going to give me an extra dollar here or there. I don’t think nobody should vote for you if you’re not a good person. But people will. That’s human nature.”

Elaine, singing under the Charles Dickens statue in Clark Park

Elaine, 16, was playing songs by his band Baby Killer Death Cult (the name is a reference to what pro-choice people have been called). “If I could vote I’d probably vote for Harris, or a third party if it could win. My thing is that at least Kamala is better than Trump. I changed my mom’s mind and now she’s voting for her. I only disagree with Kamala on Palestine.”

Jerene and David, listening to music in Clark Park

A singer and a piano teacher, Jerene and David were listening to Elaine performing by the Charles Dickens statue. Jerene: “I have voted, I have done my part, I just wish it was January. My assumption is that she will win, if not I will hunker down and wait until he goes away.” David: “This election means a lot if you care about history and the benefits we enjoy, freedom and liberty. This could be a breaking point.”

Ellen in Clark Park giving out yard signs, feeding her daughter a burrito

“I’ve given out 50 signs over the past two weeks. I hope a Democratic Congress will pursue an agenda to protect reproductive rights, gun restrictions and Medicare on behalf of the majority of the people. Biden has done a fantastic job. I’m a union person and he expanded the right to organise.”

Jim, a helper at Shenk’s Berry Farm stall

At Clark park farmer’s market nearing closing time, Jim said: “I worry Trump will rescind climate laws, I assume he will tear down climate initiatives. If Harris wins I will be dancing in the streets, if Trump, I don’t know, I’ll be so depressed. What he represents is a lack of integrity, empathy. I’m worried about violence.”

Baltimore Ave and 52nd St, Philadelphia

Cardboard Harris posters are attached to posts all over this area.

First-time voters at a free Rock the Vote concert at the Mann Center in Philadelphia

Sitting at the back of the lawn, Ella and Deonna were there to hear Benson Boone. Earlier, there were some surprise appearances on stage including, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro who came to make speeches about the importance of every vote in Pennsylvania. Ella: “I want us to have our say and keep our rights as women.” Deonna: “It’s important to vote and have our voice heard, I hope our voices are heard. So many people have fought for this right. Voting for the first time, I know that certain people want the best for me, it has been an encouragement and an inspiration.”

Philadelphia flea market

The market takes place every Sunday near a highway north-east of Philadelphia

Lou at his stall at the Philadelphia flea market

Lou, a former police officer, has a stall selling fishing tackle, ammunition, guns, knives and even grenades. Someone bought one of the guns as I was drawing. He asked me to guess how he planned to vote. “Let’s just say I’m conservative. With Trump, we’ll be more secure with the border, inflation will be under control and he’ll promote more energy use. With Harris, four more years of inflation and high energy prices. People don’t have extra money so they spend less here. Everything’s up. We’ll see …”

Bob and Ruben, buddies who vote differently

Bob has had stalls for 40 years and Ruben often visits him at the flea market.
Bob: “Our friendship doesn’t change, we’re buddies. Religion and politics are not my expertise. I always try to vote for the best person for the job. I think Trump did a nice job, the ones in there now are a bunch of crooks. He’s going to bring the US back to being great again. Biden, he didn’t do anything.”

Ruben: “He’s voting for Trump, I don’t agree with anything the guy stands for. I had a construction company before I retired and he used to cheat people in business and didn’t pay them. If jobs came along where Trump was involved I wouldn’t take them. He’s not to be trusted. The country’s not going to be good if he wins.”

Neighbours in the borough of East Petersburg

Cities in central Pennsylvania have a voting mix, while the more rural areas are largely Republican, according to numbers at the last election.

Animal feed farm in Lebanon county

Alan said: “A country needs its borders. Men need to play men’s sports, because children have enough issues. It’s hard enough being a kid today. When Trump was president it was a very peaceful time. I hope we can return to normality and have peace in the world. People want peace. My father was a Democrat. He would roll in his grave at the way people can’t talk to each other any more.”

Tire service center in Manheim

The proprietor Dick said: “[Harris] doesn’t know anything and she shouldn’t be there. She’s saying she will help people go to work if they want to work, but that’s not even close to being the truth. If you don’t want to work, she’s the greatest thing on the planet ! You get paid for doing nothing. It’s sad to think that money lets politicians do what the hell they want: politicians are just licensed to steal. I work for my goddam money.”

Billboard on Rising Sun Avenue

Source: US Politics - theguardian.com