New Orleans children interview voters on civic duty

Gulf States Newsroom reporter Drew Hawkins brought his two children to a New Orleans polling station on Election Day to interview voters about the civic process. The school where the polls were located was closed for the day, a common occurrence that forces parents to seek alternative childcare arrangements.

Hawkins used the day as a professional opportunity, assigning his eight-year-old son, Finnegan, and fourteen-year-old daughter, Eden, to conduct interviews with residents. The pair questioned voters outside the school, which served as a temporary voting location for the district.

Finnegan demonstrated basic reporting skills by asking a voter named Edgerly to spell his full name. Edgerly confirmed the request for the last name, while Hawkins guided his son through the interview process. The scene captured a moment of intergenerational engagement in the voting line.

Eden spoke with Ariana Ybarra, a voter wearing a 'Just voted' sticker. Ybarra explained her motivation for casting a ballot, stating she wants the future to be a great place for the next generation. She also answered Eden's direct question about whether voting is cool, responding that it is definitely cool and that not voting is extremely uncool.

Kim Williams, another resident, emphasized the historical weight of the right to vote. Williams noted that many people fought and lost their lives to secure that right for future generations. Her comments highlighted the sacrifice involved in establishing the democratic process in the United States.

Michelle Knoll offered advice to the young reporters on how to engage with politics. Knoll stated that paying attention to politics shapes how a city looks and functions. She encouraged young people to move beyond anger about current events and actively try to change them.

The interviews took place at the school in New Orleans, which operated as a polling station for the day. The Gulf States Newsroom is a collaboration between Mississippi Public Broadcasting, WBHM in Alabama, WWNO, and WRKF in Louisiana, along with NPR. Once the polls closed, the community awaited the results of the election.