Hectic Election Finds Calm in a Staten Island Polling Site
Watching the Statue of Liberty on the way to Staten Island on election morning, one couldn’t help but feel moved. Regal and grounded, she represents the liberty this country was founded on. An apt sight for a day that will go down in history as the first time a female candidate appeared on the presidential ticket as the head of a major party—and, very possibly, became president.
But that momentous feeling wasn’t felt at Brighton Heights Reformed Church, a polling site in Staten Island. There was little action to suit the occasion of the day. Signs outside the church indicated to “Vote here” and “No loitering.” There was even a police car around the corner. Yet there was no line of people extending out of the church or even noise coming from within.
Regardless of the underwhelming scene, there was no lack of conviction in those present at the site.
Rogerline, a junior at Curtis High School who had the day off and didn’t feel comfortable sharing her last name, walked by the polling site. Only one year away from being 18, Rogerline was “pissed off” she couldn’t cast her vote in an election this important. Originally a Bernie supporter, Rogerline supports Hillary as a politician and respects Trump as a businessman, expressing an objectivity uncommon these days. Even though Staten Island is primarily Republican, she couldn’t recall any Republican she knows who is backing Trump.
Outside the St. Mark’s Place bus stop, directly facing the church and polling site, stood Joy Otero, a 69-year-old retiree. As she leaned against a pole, cane in hand, she shared her thoughts. A democrat who has lived in the Republican-leaning Staten Island all her life, she is proud that Hillary Clinton, an experienced and well-educated woman, is running. “Trump is a monster… He’s a slob. Put that down,” she said referring to my notes as she began describing him and thrusting her cane subconsciously for emphasis. “A sex maniac! A racist bigot! A slob!”
Walking onto her now-arrived bus, Otero said, “I don’t like him, never did. And lord we’d be a better country without him,” and then the doors closed shut.
