{"id":19476,"date":"2024-11-05T17:35:54","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T22:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewash.org\/?p=19476"},"modified":"2024-11-05T17:36:23","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T22:36:23","slug":"logan-circle-and-shaw-voter-priorities-and-what-we-saw-on-election-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewash.org\/2024\/11\/05\/logan-circle-and-shaw-voter-priorities-and-what-we-saw-on-election-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Logan Circle and Shaw: Voter priorities and what we saw on Election Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Human equality was a common motive for voters at polling places in the Logan Circle and Shaw neighborhoods today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although they\u2019re two neighborhoods with significant LGBTQ+ populations, voters shared with <\/span>最新蜜桃影像 <\/span><\/i>that the social issues they\u2019re focused on this election season include the economy, abortion, democracy, climate change and marijuana legalization.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have friends who are like, \u2018If Trump wins, then [gay] marriage will go away, and we\u2019ll be stuffed back into the closet,\u2019\u201d said Joseph Schroder, who wrote in his vote for president at the Shaw polling place. \u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s actually true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Clifton
Clifton Hogan stands outside of Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church after voting for Kamala Harris. (Maria Lawson \/ 最新蜜桃影像)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the other hand, Clifton Hogan, who voted for Harris near Logan Circle, said he\u2019s worried by Project 2025 ideologies as a gay man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, gay marriage hasn\u2019t been made illegal, but Roe v. Wade was decided precedent, but here we are two years later,\u201d Hogan said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Shaw\/Watha T. Daniel Library was a lively polling spot, with an outdoor line stretching the length of the building. <\/span>The volunteer site coordinator, who did not share her name in fear of being perceived as representing the D.C. Board of Elections, said the voter turnout has been \u201coverwhelming in a good way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Voters
Voters wait to enter the Shaw Library to vote. (Maria Lawson \/ 最新蜜桃影像)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The site coordinator said she’s seen a diverse and enthusiastic flock of voters, many of whom registered to vote on the spot. She said this contributed to the long wait times and line, which moved to the shaded side of the library around lunchtime after voters complained of baking in the heat.<\/span><\/p>\n

People running for office, including Brooke Pinto for D.C. Council and Nicole Shea for Shaw\u2019s Advisory Neighborhood Commission, were also outside the library with their teams campaigning and talking to voters.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"D.C.
D.C. Councilmember talks to Shaw resident Jacqueline Gore outside the Shaw Library on election day. (Maria Lawson \/ 最新蜜桃影像)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Shea
Supporters of Nicole Shea were out spreading the word for her Advisory Neighborhood Commission campaign. (Maria Lawson \/ 最新蜜桃影像)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Outside the library, Schroeder said he\u2019s focused on the economy, federal debt, and the way the country budgets, which are top-of-mind issues. While his identity as a gay man changes how he culturally views things, he wrote in a candidate because his views don’t align with Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in D.C., so I feel like I have the privilege of being able to [say] my vote doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d he said. \u201cIf I was in Pennsylvania or something, I would have to make a real choice and probably vote for [Harris], but at the moment, I\u2019m sort of casting a protest vote.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

D.C. is notorious for voting blue in each election. In 2020, <\/span>92.1% of voters<\/span><\/a> in the District voted for Joe Biden.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church near Logan Circle had a less lively outdoor crowd. Still, voters reported that the printed ballot system was out of order, so everyone was required to vote digitally. One man walked out of the polling place shortly after entering, declaring to passersby that the indoor line was too long for him to wait in during a break between food deliveries.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A
A man walks out of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church polling place after voting. (Maria Lawson \/ 最新蜜桃影像)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jacynta Smith, registered to vote in North Carolina, said she\u2019s focused on bodily autonomy and is hopeful as her home state is a swing state.<\/span><\/p>\n

She was found outside the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church waiting for Corey Littman while he voted. Littman\u2019s priorities are abortion, climate change and marijuana legalization.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding LGBTQ+ issues: \u201cI\u2019m not personally in that community, but I do want them to have the protections everybody deserves,\u201d Littman said. \u201cIt\u2019s not my highest priority, personally, but I do think it\u2019s important.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Emily Menge voted for Harris at the Logan Circle polling place, prioritizing women\u2019s rights and democracy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cD.C. is dramatically [Democrat], so I don\u2019t think it\u2019s shocking that most of these people are voting for her,\u201d Menge said. \u201cWithout D.C. statehood, it … doesn\u2019t make you feel great about your vote.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

James Ashton, who was chanting \u201cTrump, Trump, Trump\u201d under his breath as he exited the Shaw Library polling location, said he voted Republican due to the economy and border issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

David Lublin, department chair and professor of government at American University, said he hasn\u2019t seen many people say LGBTQ+ rights are a number one priority for voters in this election.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn particular, I\u2019ve seen this election as a battle of whether abortion or immigration is the most important issue,\u201d Lublin said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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