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Next Stop Democracy: A Fresh Look For Philly Polling Locations


On November 3rd, a group of artists and community organizers plan to add a little vibrancy to the voting process and draw attention to polling locations. 60 signs handpainted and designed by various artists will direct residents toward polling locations. The signs are part of Next Stop: Democracy, a campaign aimed at increasing voter turnout through public art. The campaign feels that the signage required by the city to identify a polling location is lacking, defined by their website as “no more than a few pieces of paper taped up to the wall… you wouldn’t give it a second glance.”

The artists and curators at Next Stop believe that more eye-catching signs will encourage a higher turnout.

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Photo Courtesy: Next Stop Democracy

“Public art has the power to captivate and amaze people.” Conrad Benner said.

Another lifelong Fishtown resident and an artistic coordinator for Next Stop, said. “It has an effect on them. This is a matter of adding a purpose to that effect.”

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Photo Courtesy: Next Stop Democracy

It’s hard enough to get people to vote in the presidential election. There are entire nonprofit organizations focused on the sole task of increasing young voter registration. And with significantly less media attention, local elections and primaries are a different battle altogether. Only 27 percent of registered Philadelphia voters cast a ballot in the recent Mayoral primary. But Benner believes this is a battle worth fighting. “This is how real change happens,” he said. “It happens from the ground up. It’s an issue of getting the right people in power and that starts with grassroots organizing.”

Artist Joe Boruchow, one of the 60 contributors, agrees with Benner. “Public art can force political awareness,” he said. “[Political awareness] is the only way to change things in this country.”

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/Photo Courtesy: Next Stop Democracy

The effectiveness of the campaign will be judged by data collected by a group of University of Pennsylvania students who will survey voters outside of Next Stop-affiliated polls. This data will be released to the public in the Spring and will determine the future of Next Stop. Benner says they hope to do something for the presidential race next fall.

In the Riverwards, you can find Next Stop signs at the Cohocksink Recreation Center at Cedar and Cambria Streets in Port Richmond.

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