Emily Dale Swoboda

League of Pissed Off Voters sticks up for youth, minorities

COMMENTARY

By:

Posted: 11/4/04

I woke up Nov. 2 very nervous and excited. It was finally Election Day. The day I got to help choose the next president of the United States.

I volunteered for the League of Pissed Off Voters (a.k.a. League of Independent Voters) to work at Roosevelt High School in south St. Louis. We were there as a courtesy to voters to offer them hot chocolate, cookies and magazines, as well as information on the progressive slate.

There I was in the cloudy 50-degree weather, which felt like 30 degrees with the wind, with two other volunteers and two League members making instant hot chocolate for voters who showed up to perform their civic duty. Fortunately, at Roosevelt High School, nothing tragic happened. Things went smoothly while I was there and League members told me that even during the early morning voter "rush hour" voting was successful.

Except for one gentleman with a chip on his shoulder who shouted profanities at one of the Move On volunteers, people were very friendly and open to what we were offering. Some, however, were much more accepting of the hot cocoa than the progressive slate.

I can't exactly blame them, though. Hopefully, by the time you reached the polls, you had already made your decision and were ready to vote with confidence. If not, at least you voted. The hot cocoa was a welcome comfort on such a cold and anxiety-ridden day.

The League was also set up at Lexington High School in north St. Louis City and Holy Family church in south St. Louis.

At Lexington High School, one of the largest African-American voter populations in the city, League members reported that lawyers representing the Republican Party were challenging voter eligibility. It sounded like Florida in 2000 all over again.

Early in the afternoon though, a civil rights lawyer arrived and put a stop to it.

I also learned that voter turnout in the city was remarkably high and if the trend continued, total turnout for the city would be a record 80 to 90 percent. It was about 35 percent in the 2000 election. I am so excited about that.

I don't know if I did anything significant or life-changing for democracy on Election Day, but I really feel good about extending courtesy to voters, no matter who they voted for.

The League is a young grassroots organization founded in New York in response to the events surrounding the 2000 election. Its philosophy is to represent those not represented by mainstream organizations, such as young voters (ages 17 to 35) and minorities. Its objective is to get these people registered, informed and involved.

The League has two chapters in St. Louis and does not plan to stop working after the election. They always support local candidates and will be participating in the upcoming mayoral election.

Emily Dale Swoboda, a senior journalism major, is the online editor for The Journal.