Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

Misc

We visited 8 laundromats to talk about voting and elections. Here's what people had to say.

Jodi Malarbe

and

George Bodarky

Published Jun 23, 2024

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

The facade of Star Laundromat on Staten Island, It's a quiet scene with none out front and no cars in the parking lot.

George Bodarky/Gothamist

Jodi Malarbe

and

George Bodarky

Published Jun 23, 2024

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

As 32-year-old Elena Kendall of Beacon, New York, looks to plan her future, the environment weighs heavily on her mind.

“Just thinking about wanting to have kids, not feeling like it's the right choice because I don't want to bring kids at this point in time to a planet that I don't know that they would enjoy living in," she says.

Kendall is one of several people who have shared their perspectives as part of WNYC’s Suds and Civics initiative. The project, which launched in February, is using laundromats across the New York metro area to gain insights into what matters to people as they prepare to head to the polls in November.

We visited eight laundromats in New York and New Jersey once a month, engaging with a diverse range of people across different demographics and socioeconomic backgrounds.

A common theme we heard at each location was a lack of enthusiasm for the upcoming presidential election. Some people even said they plan to sit it out entirely.

Dan Dellaventura at Star Laundromat on Staten Island said he's an avid voter. "If you don't vote, don't speak," he said. But Dellaventura is not excited about his choices at the polls in November.

“Quite honestly, I don't think either one of them is fit to be president," he said of presumptive candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. "I wish there was a third somebody that we could find, but you know, the way this country is built, we've got to choose one of them.”

The Suds and Civics project invites people to express their thoughts about the upcoming election, their voting sentiments and the key challenges they believe their communities are facing. It will continue at least through November.

Residents told us about their concerns about food and housing affordability and the impact of immigration policies, among other topics.. Here’s a glimpse of what we’ve gathered so far.

Map by Jaclyn Jeffrey-Wilensky. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

East Harlem

Kim Boodram

Mariado Martinez

“I vote because I want the government, I want … everybody to be on board with all the problems we have in our country. The shooting, the killing, the violence, the drugs, the guns on the street. I think these problems should be addressed, you know?” —Kim Boodram at Madison Ave Laundry

Rosaicela Mendoza

Jodi Malarbe/Gothamist

“I'm first generation, and like, I'm not really taught what voting can do and what it's really about. But it's a bit kind of intimidating, if I'm being honest.” —Rosaicela Mendoza at Madison Ave Laundry

Staten Island

Valfred Martinez

George Bodarky/Gothamist

“There's not enough work for a lot of people. I have a lot of friends searching for work here on the island that pays more than $20 an hour, something that's gonna keep a roof over their head. ... I'm definitely looking forward to voting this year … but I have to see what’s what with the candidates.” —Valfred Martinez at Star Laundromat

Jim Gilmore

George Bodarky/Gothamist

“I'm on Social Security Disability. When you're on a fixed income, food keeps going higher and your income doesn't go up that fast. I got a raise in Social Security, but they raised my medical deductions. So the raise really isn't there. … I'm going to vote for Trump. Biden’s had almost four years and this place has gone to hell in a handbasket.” —Jim Gilmore at Star Laundromat

Paterson, New Jersey

Marcela Salazar

George Bodarky/Gothamist

“They'll say, 'yeah, vote, vote,' but what am I voting for? Like, what change is being done, because year after year, I'm seeing a routine. If there's a routine and you're seeing it's not working, then why are you not breaking the routine? Why are you not showing us a different path of how to make things better?” —Marcela Salazar at BubblesaReUs

Jessica Marcano

George Bodarky/Gothamist

“This year, I'm gonna vote. I don't know for who, but you know what it is, too? All they do is just promise, that's all they do, empty promises. But let's see what happens. I’ll do a little research before I decide who I'm going to be voting for. And have faith.” —Jessica Marcano at BubblesaReUs

Huntington Station, New York

Vicky Segal

George Bodarky/Gothamist

“Economy-wise, day-to-day living, it's hard. You know, safety on campuses, obviously. … I think general safety. I lean one way, but I do see there are issues along the other lines. The safety in this country is really a huge issue. So [I’m] kind of liberal in one way, but not in another.” —Vicky Segal at Jason’s Laundromat

Fernando Mateo

George Bodarky/Gothamist

“Things are getting like, really, really harder and impossible for us to live. That’s what made me drop out of college. The money I was earning wasn't enough. I applied for a scholarship and all that stuff, but they couldn't help me because of my immigration status and all that. I feel both hands are tied because I really want to do so many things in my life.” —Fernando Mateo at Jason’s Laundromat

East New York, Brooklyn

Zenia Mercer

Jodi Malarbe/Gothamist

“Politicians should visit communities and ask the people themselves about certain situations happening, how they feel about it. ... They're trying to make decisions for communities, but they're not knowing how the community feels about certain situations.” —Zenia Mercer at Stuy Wash N Dry

Bruce Baxter

Jodi Malarbe/Gothamist

"As far as voting goes, I usually go out and do my voting. But to be honest with you, a lot of people have become very jaded about voting for local politicians because there's a lot of corruption there.” —Bruce Baxter at Stuy Wash N Dry

Astoria, Queens

William Sewaybrick Amaral

Jodi Malarbe/Gothamist

"I think [voting is] important because everybody has the opportunity to be part of it. So it's a great thing that you take the chance and actually make a difference. And yeah, I think everybody should. I don't think it should be mandatory. People have to do it because they know how important it is.” —William Sewaybrick Amaral at 14th Street Laundry

Dan Rodriguez

Jodi Malarbe/Gothamist

“I've actually gotten to talk to some of my local representatives, not even looking for them. I've had the opportunity to just share a few words. That’s more than I've seen in other places. That said … the more you're already in an area where everybody else more or less agrees with you, the less your individual kind of vote feels like it matters.” —Dan Rodriguez at 14th Street Laundry

Allen Yee

Jodi Malarbe/Gothamist

“I feel like we have to keep our electeds responsible or accountable, and voting is just the basic way of doing that and just to get our voices heard. … It's never gonna be 100% of what I particularly want, but I do think the direction is there. It's just a lot of work to get to a point where we can help out other people a little bit more. So yeah, there's always work to be done.” —Allen Yee at 14th Street Laundry

Beacon, New York

Pierce Johnston

George Bodarky/Gothamist

“Every election I try to vote. Even if it's, like, a school board election here, I try to vote as often as I can. Housing availability is a big issue. I would love to be able to live, you know, not on the outskirts of town. I know a huge thing here is just the crazy rent prices. People that buy houses here, flip them and try to sell them for over $1 million. So I would like to see something happen about that, so I can afford to live here.” —Pierce Johnston at Fountain Square Laundry

Ally Hoffman

George Bodarky/Gothamist

“I try to vote in local elections. It has to do with if you have that time off and things like that, and getting there. But in terms of politics, I just kind of go with my gut. I think in true millennial fashion, I really appreciate seeing local community members, board members and elected officials on Instagram, honestly. And what's nice about Beacon is you can be out and about and see the same folks that are on the local boards.” —Ally Hoffman at Fountain Square Laundry

Ronald Myers

George Bodarky/Gothamist

“We don't compromise no more. Either you're on my side, you're with me, or you're against me. There's no in-between no more, you know? If we don't fix the wall now, she is going to crack.” —Ronald Myers at Fountain Square Laundry

Tagged

new york state

immigration

new york city

voting

economy

environment

new jersey

Politics

elections

Jodi Malarbe

Jodi is an assistant producer and fellow with WNYC’s Community Partnerships Desk. She is a graduate of Brooklyn College who previously interned with New York Public Radio's Race and Justice Unit, and was a production assistant for WNYC's Radio Rookies program.

George Bodarky

George is the community partnerships and training editor. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 917-647-3726.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE miscellaneous

Aging with Pride: LGBTQ+ older adults share their personal journeys

As we mark Pride month, LGBTQ+ older adults share their struggles, triumphs and advice for today’s generations.

George Bodarky

Published Jun 12, 2023

Hands in the dirt: Meet some of NYC's community gardeners

As the first city-sanctioned community garden celebrates its 50th anniversary, leaders of community gardens around the five boroughs share stories about cultivating green spaces and strengthening neighborhood ties.

Enrico Denard

and

George Bodarky

Misc

Hands in the dirt: Meet some of NYC's community gardeners

Enrico Denard

and

George Bodarky

'In the very, very beginning, it was about 3 feet of garbage': How NYC’s first community garden got started

George Bodarky

Serving up BBQ ribs and a deep sense of community in the South Bronx since 1954

George Bodarky

A holiday guide to NYC recycling

Arya Sundaram

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .