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Oct 29, 2020 By Frances Quinlan Photography by Julia Khorosilov Frances Quinlan

With next Tuesday’s election day looming and millions of Americans already voting early, we asked musicians to write about notable times they cast a ballot in a new series we’re calling Voting Stories. This entry is by Frances Quinlan of Hop Along.

Hop Along’s last album, Bark Your Head Off, Dog, came out in 2018 via Saddle Creek. Quinlan is the songwriter, lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist and the band also features Tyler Long (bass), Joe Reinhart (guitar), and Mark Quinlan (drums). Quinlan released a solo album, Likewise, in January of this year, also via Saddle Creek. And she recently sang guest vocals on “Postcard From Spain,” from Quarter Life Crisis, which is a new project from Ryan Hemsworth (its self-titled debut EP is due out December 4 via Saddle Creek).

Visit vote.org or headcount.org to register to vote, get information on your polling place or on mail in voting, and to find out what else might be on your ballot.

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On June 4th I requested to testify at my first public hearing (held by Philadelphia City Council’s Committee of the Whole), over the proposed city budget. It’s embarrassing to say, but prior to last year I had no idea of the names of my own city’s Council Members (let alone local issues and consequential rulings), and I had lived in Philadelphia for over a decade. It’s thanks to organizations like Reclaim Philadelphia and Amistad Law Project, that I found myself not only better informed as a voter, but also invited and welcomed to listen to passionate and inspiring speakers, all working to magnify and support the voices of Philly’s underserved. I realize we are talking about November 3rd, but in the last several months a long-held tension has been exposed, it’s at the core of a massive and toxic framework, rooted deeply in our country’s government. So much injustice and violence has been committed against Black, Brown, Indigenous, and LGBTQ communities throughout the nation; it becomes clear to me that the road ahead certainly begins at voting (early if you can!) against the tyranny bearing its fangs at us now—but by no means does it end there.

I voted for Biden and Harris, but going forward I also hope to become a better witness to and resident of this amazing city in which I am lucky to reside. I am proud to call Philadelphia my home. I was also proud to vote for Nikil Saval again for Pennsylvania State Senate District 1.

Also: In regards to the budget hearing, it turned out that my testimony had to be rejected, they were already flooded with civilian speakers. It was a very moving thing to see, the power of democracy utilized by a vast and dynamic community. I love Philly.

www.francesquinlan.com

Read our interview with Hop Along’s Frances Quinlan about Bark Your Head Off, Dog.

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