Four student voters leave the polling place at 36th and Chestnut Streets in University City. (Jonathan Tannenwald/Philly.com)
Last year, the polling place at 36th and Chestnut was one of the city's quietest on Election Day.
Situated at the northern end of the Penn campus, it is home to two districts -- the 3rd and 11th -- in the ward which registered one of the smallest voter turnouts anywhere in the city in the 2007 mayoral primary.
Of 9,348 registered voters in the 27th ward, only 1,866 cast a ballot last May. That was the fourth-lowest vote total out of the city's 66 wards.
That happened in part because Penn had already let out for the summer when the primary took place, so there weren't many residents around. But the school also has a high percentage of students from outside the city, and local races haven't resonated too much on campus in recent years.
This year's presidential primary, though, is a different story. I stopped by the Penn Center for Rehabilitation and Care just after noon today, and the line to vote was 12 people deep and full of students.
In the 27th division, 105 out of 977 registered voters had cast a ballot as of 12:20 p.m.. In the 3rd division, 102 out of 776 had done so.
An election official for the 27th Division who I talked to said it was among the largest turnouts she'd ever seen at the polling place.
I've been there a few times in recent years and it was the first time I'd ever seen a line of any kind.
So who are they voting for? Both Democratic candidates have pushed hard to win University City. Barack Obama's campaign has a temporary office at 40th and Chestnut Streets, while Hillary Clinton's speech at the Palestra last night drew a large number of Penn students.
Clinton also made reference to the endorsement she won from the Daily Pennsylvanian last week.
The Daily Pennsylvanian reports today that two-thirds of the Penn student body is registered to vote in Pennsylvania.
But in the current freshman class, only 406 of 1,443 students originally hail from the Keystone state. While that only accounts for a quarter of the undergraduate student body, older classes have been here longer -- and therefore might be more likely to be registered here.
A recent poll by CBS News and the Daily Pennsylvanian found that 73 percent of Penn students were for Barack Obama, with 71 percent of students statewide supporting the Illinois senator.
Another important stat: 86 percent of students polled said they were "likely" to vote today.
Pennsylvania's population is well-known to be older than the national average. But could young voters have a significant impact in this year's primary?
"A recent poll by CBS News and the Daily Pennsylvanian found that 73 percent of Penn students were for Barack Obama"
Proving once again that ridiculous tuition and high SAT scores do not ensure anything remotely close to wisdom.
Yeah, if well-educated people don't agree with you, it must be because they're stupid.
Students, historically, are drawn to shiny baubles and rosy promises, so what's new ? O's itty bitty brigades hit the streets. In 10 years, they'll wonder why
Hillary is a big trouble maker. This is what she does best, create problems out of nothing. If you read her plan, then read the definition of a communist, there is a big similarity.
JACK, JACK, WAS-A MATTER?
JACK, JACK, WAS-A MATTER YOU?
I think it's great that young people are taking an active roll and interest in politics, after all they've been slung a huge debt on their shoulders that probably won't be paid off until their great grandkids are grown. Yeah, they definitely need to have a voice in government.
I can't believe what I'm reading!!! Elite students, from elite families that go to an elitist university are voting for an elitist candidate??? Wow, go figure!!! McCain '08!!!
Young people believe anything....until they don't.....
9 comments
About Inquirer political writers
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
Get it now
Philly.com Promotions
- News | Sports | Business | What's Happening | Restaurants & Food | Entertainment | Living | Marketplace | Jobs
Site Services:
Classifieds:
- Jobs | Cars | Real Estate | Rentals | Marketplace | Celebrations
Partners:
