Election Day

Mae and Richard Smethurst, of Shadyside, stand outside their polling place on Nov. 8 2011. Both Mae and Richard have been voting for 55 years, and they hope to see funding improvements in schools.

Jackie and Jon Lloyd, both 72 of Shadyside, discuss their reasons for voting outside their polling place on Nov. 8 2011. They have both been voting since they were 21, and Jon says he “[hopes] the community will get the feeling that their voice is being heard. And by the community I mean the 99% of people who are getting screwed.”

Satya Naranyanan, 57 of Shadyside, stands outside his polling place on Nov. 8 2011. Naranyaan moved to the U.S. from India and has been voting since 1990. “It is my citizenly duty [to vote]…I’m proud to be a citizen, I had to earn it,” says Naranyanan.

Ron Davenport of Shadyside discusses his thoughts about voting outside his polling place on Nov. 8 2011. “Voting is very important…it is a unique opportunity Americans have…it is what our nation is founded on.”

Nancy McGough of Shadyside, stands outside her polling place on election day after voting republican on Nov. 8 2011. McGough believes voting is an important responsibility of citizens, “It is one of the few ways a citizen’s voice can be heard.”

Christian Manders, 36 of Shadyside, stands outside his polling place on Nov. 8 2011 after casting his ballot. “I enjoy voting,” says Manders. “It is an important part of the process.”