This page is an EXCERPT from ICMPA’s “I Voted!” PROJECT — see full website here

Portraits of those committed to the democratic process

How did the deeply divided American electorate vote?

Students at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism reported on how the electorate was voting in the days leading up to the 2020 U.S. presidential election — in a time of rising COVID cases, in those last weeks of the presidential campaign when pollsters were frantically trying to determine who would win on November 3, 2020.    

The students, all seniors and juniors, took portraits of voters who were sending in their absentee ballots or standing in lines at early polling stations or voting on election day itself. 

The voters they identified came from across the aisle and across the country, from confirmed blue and red states, as well as swing states.

The student-reporters took the voters’ photos and asked them to explain why they were voting, what they were voting for, and to reflect on how the COVID-19 pandemic was affecting them.

See below for a look at the “I Voted!” project. 

See the faces of the voters and read what mattered to them. 

This page is an excerpt of the full “I Voted!” project — see the full website here.

Because of COVID-19’s need for social separation and distancing, some photos were taken via video chat apps.

Click on the photos below to see a sampling of voters in the project. 
And scroll below those to read more about what voters wanted to say.

All the voters interviewed for this Voting Project wanted their voices to be heard by those in government. 

All believed in their democratic — in their Constitutional — right to vote.

“COVID-19 has put a lot of different things into perspective for me. It has taught me to never take time with friends and family for granted. Voting is the foundation of our democratic system, and I think it is the most direct and purest way to make my voice heard.” photo • Annabelle Janssens

“I am voting for Biden because I think he will unite our country and heal the wounds caused by the divisiveness Trump has caused.” photo • Morgan Weaver

“Voting’s important to me because now I have the ability to use my opinion and my voice to try to create the change I want to see.” photo • Morgan Weaver

“I hadn’t been too political before this election, but after being in quarantine and seeing the state of the country on the news every day and night, I knew that my vote now more than ever mattered. We need to be conscious of who we pick, and we need to have confidence in them. I am also mailing in my vote extra early to ensure it is counted correctly. Both of my children have had COVID over the past two months, which has been scary but at the same time a bit of a relief. I am scared of it in particular, as I have a heart condition. I am scared constantly about my parents, who reside in Florida. They are in their 80s, and my father has COPD. I would be heartbroken if I lost them to this.” photo • Hallie Kay

“My family instilled in me at a young age that every vote counts, that is why I am voting this year. I think the country is in a bad place right now, but as a voter and young adult I don’t really see myself fully supporting either candidate, just like a lot of people in my generation.’ photo • Erika Muller

“My father fought in World War II, and I myself in Vietnam, and for me military and law enforcement has been something I value beyond words. While I see the injustice that occurs in our country, defunding the military or the police is not the answer in my eyes. It is an honor to serve and an honor to protect our country and freedoms. President Trump has made clear he values our heroes on enemy lines and in our country and for me that’s what matters…. I see how ruthless [COVID] can be, but I believe our current administration has taken all necessary precautions while still preserving our economy.” photo • Halle Grossett

“Health-wise I am doing well and my family is good…. I voted November 3, on election day, in-person…. I was in the polling place for about 5 minutes in and out. Well, one thing as a teacher: we now moved things online … I am used to the brick and mortar of the building. [N]ow that we are online, it is a bit different and more tedious and sometimes tasteless.” photo • Hannah Smith

Christian (L): “Because of COVID, I never know what my weekend is going to hold. I may have to work all weekend [as a nurse] at the ER or go assist with the National Guard.” Shelby: “With working as an ER nurse right now, COVID has affected every aspect of my life and it is only going to get worse as this second wave begins.” photo • Casey Fair

“I have been a liberal voter since I was 18. I believe in civil human rights, and will not stop fighting for gender and racial equality, which is why I vote.” photo • Hannah Smith

Read the quotes below to read what other voters interviewed by this project had to say. 

The voters spoke about American values, and how those shaped how they voted:

“Covid has changed my life greatly by informing me how deeply affected by rugged individualism our society is, and how difficult it is to motivate Americans to do something or behave a certain way for the greater good if they cannot see an immediate and direct benefit for their personal objectives or desires.”

– Gabi • NY • Democrat • dropped off her ballot at her local election office
interviewed • Camryn DeLuca

“I did research into my votes so I think I was a pretty informed voter this time around. This is my first presidential election, and I really wanted my voice to be heard.
…..I’ve been tired the last four years of not feeling like I had a voice in my government simply because I was seventeen the last presidential election…. I’m ready for any kind of change.”  

– Kate • MD • Democrat • first-time voter • mailed in her ballot
interviewed • Madison Burinsky

The voters spoke about the impact of COVID on their lives:

“COVID has impacted my life a lot because I was laid-off of my job because there was no work. I am an electrician, so we need constant work and we were not able to go into some buildings because of COVID.
…..I haven’t been able to see a lot of my friends because I live at home with my parents, so I don’t want them to get it.  I think it’s more traditional to vote in-person, that’s why I decided to.”

– Andrew • MD • Republican • voted early, in-person
interviewed • Hannah Smith

“I had COVID several weeks ago, and due to some residual lung damage from a case of pneumonia I had as a kid, my lungs are much weaker than others. I was really ill for some time and almost had to stay in the hospital. It was extremely scary….
…..When I arrived to the ballot drop off I was actually told that I couldn’t mail my ballot due to something related to my COVID diagnosis almost a month prior.
…..There was nothing dangerous about what I was doing, but I was almost prohibited from voting, which is my right. I didn’t realize how prevalent voter suppression is until it almost happened to me.”

– Sydney • MD • dropped off her ballot in her local drop-box
interviewed • Hallie Kay

The voters spoke about how their life experiences & their experience of COVID influenced who they voted for:

“I never came from money, had to work for every opportunity I ever got, and realized the importance of money and a market-based economy. That is why for the past 25 years I have voted Republican and why I still vote red to this day.
…..Being in a target demographic most effected by COVID-19, I definitely have taken the necessary precautions. I do think however, there have been viruses since the dawn of time and we can’t live in fear forever. President Trump contracting COVID and still pressing on the campaign trail is a prime example of how COVID doesn’t have to completely shut down your life.”  

– Cheryl • GA • Republican • voted early, in-person
interviewed • Halle Grossett

“COVID basically put a pause on my life and most peoples’ lives here in March. I went about four months without seeing anyone outside of my family, other than going to the grocery store….
…..Voting by mail is easiest, but voting in general is so important. Here’s why: I plan on voting for Biden. It is as much as a vote for Biden as it is against Trump. I believe Joe Biden will listen to the people who he tasked with advising him.”

– Billy • MD • Democrat • first-time voter • mailed in his ballot
interviewed • Kate Savinelli

The voters spoke about why voting matters to them:

“This is my first time voting in the presidential election and I think it’s important to vote because it’s your basic civic duty as a citizen of the United States.”

– Matt • NY • first-time voter • mailed in his ballot
interviewed • Lila Bromberg

“Voting gives me the opportunity to stand up for the issues I care about. Knowing that I have a political say on the quality of life I want for myself and future generations is very important to me.”

– Zoe • TX • first-time voter • voted early, in-person
interviewed • Alexis Sugar

To visit the FULL WEBSITE and see what dozens of voters had to say, click HERE

“I think COVID has cut down on opportunities and set me into a regular routine. Travel is out of the question. [So] I decided to cut out one more contact with COVID. It’s very easy to mail and take care of it, rather than have to run down to the polling place.” photo • Jordan Swarm

“Voting is an extremely important thing in our society, and as a Jew I belong to a minority group, and I feel that voting puts me on the same playing field as everyone else to get my voice heard. I also had COVID recently during the High Holidays of the Jewish year, and I wasn’t able to participate in any of them because I was in isolation. I had to order a ballot to my house. It’s also the safer option, and there are lots of stories of people going and waiting on line for eight hours.” photo • Yakira Cohen

The following students reported on this project, contributing portraits of and interviews with voters:

Lila Bromberg  •  Madison Burinsky •  Yakira Cohen •  Camryn DeLuca •  Casey Fair •  Luke Gentile •  Halle Grossett •  Annabelle Janssens •  Hallie Kay •  Daniel Longest •  Erika Muller •  Kate Savinelli •  Hannah Smith •  Alexis Sugar •  Jordan Swarm •  Morgan Weaver

The signs in the window photo was taken by Daniel Longest.  The featured ICMPA homepage image of Michael in front of the American flag was taken by Luke Gentile.

The full website can be accessed at https://susandmoeller.wixsite.com/election2020