DNC Day 2: What are voters looking for?

CHICAGO – For the next four days, voters, protestors, agitators, politicians, pundits, national and local media from around the country and the world, and Chicago residents will meet in the center of the city for the Democratic National Convention (DNC). More than 50,000 people will be visiting the city, according to local reports. 

Many of those visitors have made their way to the United Center, host site of the DNC, while many others were protesting everything from the war in Gaza, the indoctrination of current United States Vice President Kamala Harris to the top of the Democratic ticket, abortion, and former United States President Donald Trump and all things MAGA. The city’s pre-segregated “free speech zone” was at Park No. 578, which is located on W. Maypole Avenue, a quarter-mile from the United Center. The more popular site for protests, however, was at Union Park, which is a larger park and more suitable for gatherings like protests and concerts, for example. 

“Are you planning to vote in the upcoming election?” Nearly every person The Atlanta Voice asked had one answer: “No.”

Sheila Williams sat in a wheelchair sheltered under a tent as protesters marched down Washington Boulevard. Pinned on either side of her jacket were mini flyers declaring that “the whole damn system’s got to go,” and to “stop following the bourgeois electoral bullsh*t.”

“At my age, I should be at home in a rocking chair, but here I am with my walker out here to say, enough is enough,” Williams said. “All these people out here in the streets today that are protesting about racism, protesting about abortion rights, protesting about genocide, protesting about police brutality, protesting about so many things that are elements of this system. America was never great.”

“We’re coming into an unprecedented election. We’re saying this year isn’t going to be a normal election year,” said Leo Pargo, a leading member of the Revcom Corps for the Emancipation of Humanity Chicago. “Biden-Harris on one side supporting this genocide. The fascist Trump on the other side is going after women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, demonizing migrants that are forced to come here from all over the world. We’re saying this isn’t a time to side between one oppression or another.

Over by the United Center, Art H. sold t-shirts and hats with pro-Harris/Walz themes on them. He said his t-shirts have the clearest photo of Harris on them out of any people are going to see on the streets. “People don’t understand, Trump understands the visibility of his face is how you get your image out there,” Art explained. 

Asked if he was going to vote in November, Art, a resident of Seattle, Washington who is in town for the convention, said he was. “It’s my duty.”

Darius Smith, working security outside of a library a block away from the United Center, said he was also planning to vote in this election. 

“I’m going to vote out of obligation,” Smith said. “Ever since I was 18 years old I always tried to vote for the candidate that benefits poor people the most.” 

On Monday night, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA), and Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan spoke about the power of the collective vote. United States President Joseph R. Biden and former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton kicked things off. Former two-term United States President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are the featured speakers on Tuesday while fellow former two-term Commander-in-Chief Bill Clinton on Wednesday. Clinton will share the marquee with United States Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

The city of Chicago, as per usual, has played host to several big events this summer. Earlier this month the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention took place during the same week as Lollapalooza. Former United States President Donald J. Trump was a featured guest on day one of the NABJ Convention, and made national news for his comments on “Black jobs” among other things. The Premier League Fan Fest will also be in town on Sept. 21-22.

There will be more potential voters from around the country making their way to Chicago before the election takes place. Whether or not this presidential election garners more voters than the nearly 150 million voters that took part in 2016 remains to be seen. A lot of those voters will be a part of the working class that both campaigns are targeting this election. The “9-5” workers that make up the majority of American voters. During the reporting for this story The Atlanta Voice asked founder and CEO of Homebase John Waldmann why he believes nearly 35% of hourly workers are undecided with less than 90 days until Election Day, November 5?

“It’s possible some local workers feel it’s too early to know which candidate is going to address their unique concerns,” Waldmann said via email. “The good thing is that there is still time to win over these voters. Our data uncovers a few areas where candidates can address those needs.  

Waldmann said hourly workers may be more vulnerable to policy changes that directly impact their livelihoods, from inflation to taxes on tips. “More than other audiences, they may be waiting for debates and more substantive policy discussions before they decide on their preferred candidate,” said Waldmann. 

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are just over 80 million wage workers (ages 16 and older).Asked if that is a demographic/voting block both sides of the aisle need to target, Waldmann said there was no doubt about it.

“Hourly workers account for over 80 million American workers. Small businesses employ nearly half of the American workforce and represent almost 44% of America’s GDP,” Waldmann said. “Their votes are incredibly powerful, and matter more than ever this election cycle. Considering nearly 35% of hourly workers are undecided, there’s a huge opportunity for both candidates to dig into hourly workers’ concerns and priorities to gain their trust – and votes.”

When speaking with voters, inflation came up most often when asked what concerned them the most this election season. Waldmann believes inflation has a direct influence on hourly workers’ day-to-day financial stability and overall quality of life. 

“More importantly, this impact often feels immediate and personal. With the cost of living skyrocketing across many cities, and inflation making it challenging to afford everyday goods and services like groceries, gas, and housing, hourly workers could be feeling the pinch more acutely when prices rise,” he said. “Hourly workers aren’t just young folks holding a summer job – they are also adults with families to take care of and bills to pay. More than anything, they want a candidate who makes them feel heard.”

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