Examiner straw poll for Fort Washington, Maryland

November 5, 11:18 AMDC Youth Issues ExaminerAisha Ali

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Examiners from major cities across the country conducted a straw poll of voters to better understand their habits leading up to Election Day. Respondents were randomly selected to participate and asked a series of questions listed below.

» Results of the Examiner nationwide straw poll

Question 1: Have you been polled before today on election issues?

Question 2: On Election Day, did you vote for the same candidates that you intended to vote for prior to arriving at the polling location?

Question 3: What was the single most important issue to you in this election that affected how you voted?

When asked what was the single most important issue for voters that helped them reach their ultimate decision, while many said there were a host of issues  rather than one, the economy, education, health care, immigration, and foreign policies were the main concerns echoed.

SUMMARY: Seventeen out of 20 people polled said they were adamant about their choice and have never thought about changing their mind from the onset of their decision. Three out of 20 said they had changed their mind from their initial thought because they researched the candidates' voting history more.   Some said after McCain chose Palin as Vice President, it had been confirmed he lacked good judgment needed to be President of this country. "Something that we cannot afford after eight years of Bush," many pollers bellowed.

ANALYSIS: From the moment I stepped out of my car, I could feel the change stemming from this Election Day. Voters were wearing wide smiles upon their faces, and pumping their fists in the air, chanting the words many of us have heard repeatedly throughout this election, “Are you ready for change? Yes We Can!”

The sense of community I felt at Isaac Gourdine Middle School, my voting precinct in Fort Washington, MD, had never before been witnessed in such magnitude. Younger generations sacrificed their places in line so their elders could move ahead and not wait as long. People found chairs for the elderly and asked them if they needed water or anything to sustain themselves. One young gentleman said, “I know you’ve been waiting for this moment longer than I have, sir-- take my spot, please.” 

Some  voters said they had been standing in line for three or four hours  outside Gourdine Middle School since  4:15 a.m.  "My ancestors have waited much longer for this day to come.  The way I see it, I can wait a few hours," one awaiting voter stated with tears in her eyes. "I know this election will yield a different result-- I can feel it.  What can I say other than it is time for change."

Once inside the actual voting area, I, for the first time, scrutinized the interior of this middle school, studying the walls. I noticed a poster, which said: “Attitude is a little thing that can go a BIG way.” There were other sayings or "motto's" posted all over the walls for students, obviously. Yet, this one “motto” was applicable to the youths and adults of voting age, as well. Our attitudes and how we view our society greatly impacts how we implement actions. If you carry the attitude that things are fine in America as is, then your attitude is one that will definitely not promote change, and your vote therefore, will be status-quo.  Yet, these voters did not have status-quo written across their faces-- faces that were of all complexions, belonging to varying races or ethnicities. 

To think that this school, along with every other school in America, will be affected by the next presidential candidate. To think that under a certain candidate, there is hope that our children from all economic and social backgrounds could have a chance at an equal education brought tears to my eyes.  As I had more opportunities than my parents, my daughter would have more freedoms and a better chance at equality than me. 

"This is why I knew from the beginning who I was going to vote for-- I stood strongly to my beliefs," Kimberly Smith told me.  "Even the little freedoms we all took for granted have been slowly taken away over the past eight years.  Life has become unrecognizable. People don't have money to even eat or fill their cars with gas. "  However, Smith said that she was hopeful, especially by the turnout at Gourdine Middle School. "It warmed my heart to see so many people from all walks of life come together to voice their opinions or beliefs, especially young, African-American men and women. My voting experience today has been a beautiful one." 

Yet, it was clear that there were still reminiscences of voter rights infringement taking place here at Gourdine, as one woman came from the streets and told one judge how she was told she had to have an appointment to vote.  If she didn't set up an appointment, she would be unable to vote.  

Overall, voters shared the same sentiment as Smith-- they knew for whom they would vote.  However, there were others who said they had changed their minds from their original pick, while others were still undecided as they stepped into the booth.  When asked what was the single most important issue for voters that helped them reach their ultimate vote, while many claimed there were a host of issues rather than one single issue, the economy, education, health care, immigration, and foreign policies were the main concerns echoed throughout the day.

A lot of people held the same thoughts Marcus Carter had, "I'm ready to see history be made tonight."

Related Elections 2008 info: 
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Examiner nationwide straw poll
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Examiner Coverage: Elections 2008