Doc the vote

"By the People," a new PBS documentary, bows in November.

Political junkies who can't wait to see the film, described as "compelling" by the New York Times, are in luck. The documentary will be screened at 7:30 tonight at the E Street Cinema (555 11th St. NW.)
First-time director Malindi Fickle aims to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put on an election. The nonpartisan "People" focuses on the process, not the politics.
The action takes place in Marion County, Indiana (which includes the state capital, Indianapolis) 11 days before the 2004 presidential election as camera crews follow a county clerk and her crew of volunteer poll workers. During that race, estimates put the shortage of poll workers nationwide at 500,000 and the average age of those workers at 72. The film hopes to inspire Americans to alleviate that shortage by volunteering.
Representatives from the District's election board will attend the screening, registering people to vote and to volunteer as poll workers.

"By the People" will air on WMPT (Channel 22) Nov. 1 at 10 p.m., WHUT (Channel 32) Nov. 5 at 3 and 11 p.m., and Nov. 9 at 9 p.m.