It’s Election Day and I’m on the ground in South Philly. Follow along for updates. The DMs are open.

Florence Easley, 94, said she wore her best coat to vote because, “I always come prepared.” She and her husband William Matunda, 89, are lifelong Philadelphians and are voting, “to make our voices heard.”

DJ BR is playing old school R&B to entertain voters waiting in the line at McDaniel Elementary.

“I got the small speakers out now to let people wake up, but at 10 a.m. the big speakers are coming out. We’re going to party.”

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and Vickey Ham has already been in line for an hour. She’s lived in South Philly her whole life and says she’s predicting “positive results.”

Vanessa Parker Jackson voted for Jimmy Cater in her first presidential election. She’s voting today to, “get Donald Trump out of there,” she said as she took a drag of a Newport cigarette.

John Shields, 90, said he stood in line for an hour and a half this morning.
“I was determined to vote today. I‘be been voting since 1948. I’m voting to save America.”

The line at McDaniel Elementary has completely disappeared. Voting lines are moving fast.

Democratic poll watcher Nicholas O’Farrell and his friend Olivia Washington, both from New York, have been sitting outside Marconi Plaza since 6:30 a.m. O’Farrell said there was a 20 minute commotion around 7 a.m. when a woman attempted to remove Trump signs that were displayed.

Stephanie Fiorolli said she voted in person today because she doesn’t trust mail-in voting. Fiorolli is a Republican and said, “the Democratic Party just isn’t what it used to be. ... This election is a game changer.”

A pretty quick, yet intense exchange between two men at Oregon and Broad. It appears the gentleman in the car thought the other man was was removing a sign. Turns out he was just adjusting it.

The Bismuth Quartet is serenading voters with a Danish folk tune at South Philadelphia High School.

“We’re bringing joy and beauty to this year’s election,” said Carolina Diazgranados, the quartet’s cellist.

Cellist Carolina Diazgranados has been a musician for 19 years, and Election Day is an opportunity to “encourage change.” She’s a member of the Bismuth Quartet — @bismuthquartet on IG.

Carlos Santiago tunes his violin as at least a dozen spectators and voters at South Philadelphia High School look on. Santiago is part of a string quartet that performs regularly around Philadelphia.

No line at South Philadelphia Adult Center. Poll workers said that line was wrapped around the building but has since dissolved. Several local organizations are handing out free food.

Sarah Sophie Flicker (left) and Alex Covington of Joy to the Polls wore their best to St. Marons Catholic Church for Election Day.

According to Sara Sophie Flicker, founder of Joy to the Polls, “joy, music, art, and dance are natural methods of deescalation. We want to push back on voter suppression.”

James Stewart (right) and Vincent Chauncey are members of the Sun-Ra Arkestra. The band has performed in Philly and other cities during presidential elections for over 30 years. Today, they performed outside of St. Marons.

“We go where the country needs us,” said Chauncey.

In a quick phone interview, @CouncilmemberKJ told me that he's impressed with the voter turnout today especially because "Philadelphia pretty much carries the state of Pennsylvania in any state election." He's grateful to see a significant amount of young voters at the polls.