From left, Dave and Pam Oliver and their neighbor George Banziger pose for a photo with signs of the presidential candidates they support. Neighbors will stand together at a polling location on Election Day to promote a message of civility and respect between people of different political allegiances. (Photo courtesy of George Banziger)

DEVOLA — Neighbors who don’t support the same presidential candidate will nevertheless stand side by side, literally and figuratively, on Election Day.

George Banziger, Dave and Pam Oliver are participating in an initiative sponsored by Braver Angels, a national organization promoting civil, interparty communication and interaction.

Banziger, a longtime Democrat who supports Vice President Kamala Harris, and the Olivers, Republicans who support former President Donald Trump, plan to stand outside the voting location at the Washington County Fairgrounds on Tuesday in holding a sign stating: “Vote red, vote blue. We are all Americans through and through.

Banziger called him “a response to the true toxicity and controversies of the political process in our country. »

Banziger said he admires Braver Angels’ work “from a distance” for a while. When he heard about the Election Day Initiative, which involves citizens across the country, he thought of the Olivers, whose house is located 50 feet from his.

Their differing political allegiances are expressed by the signs in their yard, but that doesn’t stop them from being neighborly, Banziger said.

“They are very nice and friendly people” he said.

Banziger said that’s not the kind of interaction he’s seen on social media recently in comments from both Democrats and Republicans.

“It was not any form of dialogue” he said.

Banziger said he participated in Braver Angels activities to examine how people perceive those with different political perspectives. They placed emphasis on finding underlying values ​​that could provide common ground and addressing their own biases.

“The goal is to listen to yourself” he said.

Although they saw each other’s signs, Banziger said he didn’t really talk about politics with the Olivers.

“We haven’t done it yet. But I think if we do, I’ll try to listen. he said. Standing together Tuesday “This does not mean that we will compromise our values. »

When he contacted them about the Braver Angels initiative, Banziger said his neighbors were receptive.

“Despite our passionate views on politics, we must recognize the transcendent point: In the final analysis, we are all Americans and have the opportunity to freely express our preferences in elections. » said Pam Oliver in a statement provided by Banziger.

Dave Oliver and Banziger plan to stay at the polling place with the poster for about an hour Tuesday morning. Pam Oliver will join Banziger there in the afternoon.

It’s an effort that will be repeated by the group with red and blue pairs across the country, according to the Braver Angels website, braverangels.org.

Evan Bevins can be reached at [email protected].

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Make your voice heard…

Polls in West Virginia and Ohio will be open Tuesday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.