07 Nov Election Day Dispatches: Richmond Voters on the Issues and the Value of Voting

A San Francisco polling place is seen on Election Day, Nov. 5. (Danielle Parenteau-Decker / The CC Pulse)

Editor’s note: The Contra Costa Pulse went to polling places to connect with voters in Richmond. Voters were divided on issues, including the next president of the United States, local measures, and the City Council. Here, we hear from them on the California propositions, the issues overall, and the importance of voting. Their remarks have been lightly edited for clarity.

CC Pulse Staff Report

Cristina Saavedra, 38

I really do think it’s important for young Latinos to get involved and their voice be heard in the election process and in the political process as much early in life as possible so that we can affect future generations.

Even though California is a blue state and sometimes people say our vote doesn’t matter in local elections, I really do think our voice counts in matters.

Kayla Brown

I really think a third party can bring people to have to be a little bit more honest and a little less finger pointing at each other’s characters. There’s a little bit more of a force to discuss the issues instead of people as people. I have really felt for a long time that we need a third party that’s represented.

I don’t think my vote is thrown away because actually my vote probably has more meaning towards than it does towards the person who’s going to win the state or the person who’s not going to win the state. So I think it has more meaning to try to lift up the underdog, if you will.

 

You know, it’s interesting. A lot of the people are against … (Prop) 33, you know, against rent control because they’re worried about not making profit on their properties. And if you just look behind me, the situation in Richmond is so severe, everybody’s thinking about their own pockets rather, you know, the property values and all these kind of stuff when we are in a severe, dire despair here with our population being homeless, and that’s more important, to have rent control, to have affordable housing.

It’s ridiculous what’s going on in Richmond right now. So it was important for me to vote.

I chose people that are more in support of inclusivity and support of every citizen, no matter where they come from or what religion they have.

I looked at the ballot and there were other names that I knew nothing about, so that was kind of a shame — that there’s not more power behind other names to the point that we know what they’re representing. It would be great if we had more choices, if people step up and are not afraid to give their opinion.

 

Alfred Zuniga, 91

In 1952 you had to be 21 years of age to vote, so I missed that election. But in 1956 I was in my 20s and voted for the first time and I’ve had the honor of not missing a single election since then. Today I didn’t feel good and thought I wasn’t going to make it to the polls, but here I am continuing my streak. They’ve all been pleasant experiences, I’ve never had any difficulties with the process and really trust that everybody is doing it above-board.

In this country what is important is not the position that you hold, but that you vote defending the position that you believe in.

There’s never going to be a right or a wrong when it comes to politics, it’s going to be a perspective. Most of these things are never absolute, there’s always exceptions.

Unfortunately, many people don’t believe there’s room for abortion in this country and base the way they see things off of the television program from which they get their information — and Fox and CNN are totally two different worlds apart.

Rick Singh

I think everybody should vote because it makes a difference, especially if there’s something you stand for.

 

John Adams Jr.

It’s one of the main ways to express our views and what we want for where we live and how we live.

Most of the time, the politicians aren’t always advocating for our best interest. But if you want to put the Republicans against the Democrats, the Democrats are basically going to go in the people’s favor — I could be wrong, but that’s how I feel.

 

Nick Valaris, 44

It’s an important day, there’s going to be some big changes going on.

My parents always brought me to vote as a child, so I brought my 3-year-old to drop off his mom’s ballot. It’s important to teach them young to be part of our community.

[Voting] shapes who we are as a country, state, and locally.

 

Angela Canidate, 59

As an African American, I know that my ancestors fought and died for me to be able to vote.

If you don’t vote, you really can’t say anything derogatory because you didn’t try to make a change.

I’m about to be retired, so it’s important to me that housing prices stay as low as they can in California because that’s really a challenge for people that are going to be on a limited or fixed income. It was also important for me to vote on the measure for minimum wage as well.

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Karima Lacy, 44

Just to be given the right to vote is amazing. We look at other countries fighting and don’t realize we are fighting for every right that we have — especially women.

It’s always super amazing at our polls here in California, but I do have friends over in Atlanta, and the lines there are ridiculous, so I commend them for standing and waiting just to vote. I also have an assistant in Philadelphia and she’s been in line for two and a half hours already — it took me 10 minutes. I only wish some of the other states would gather some of our infrastructure.

Norm Clausen, 77

I think voting is essential. It’s something that we’ve been fighting for quite a while and we have to keep it going.

Emily Tang, 48

I think it’s my duty to put my opinion in for what the community and the country needs, otherwise we might have higher taxes and go without necessary services for residents.

Voting helps people feel like they’re a part of the country and part of their community, and it really does give people a say in what they want their experience in this country to be.

Jerome Gourdine, 57

It’s important to express your opinion by voting.

It’s vital for everyone to vote because everybody’s voice matters.

Jason Jones

It’s absolutely important [to vote] because we have to get the right people in office and make sure things go our way, for the people.

[On Prop. 32, which would raise the California minimum wage to $18 an hour]: I’ve never owned a home… it should be easier for us tax paying citizens to save more money and invest, not slave for a company and get taxed for everything.

Carlos Mendez, 32

[On why he decided to vote for the first-time]: Just because of the state of the country and what’s been happening — it makes it more important to me.

Samantha Hernandez, 20

It’s my first time voting and I got a lot of information — no, not information but inspiration from my mom to do that today. I’m 20 years old and definitely a little late to it, but I’m very excited about my decision and I’m very confident about it.

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As an immigrant parent, I feel like she’s always been very advocational for us, she’s always informed us of things — even us as citizens, as people who were born here who weren’t really aware — she’s definitely brought political topics to light and has been a strong reminder of why it’s important for us to vote and to have our voices be heard in such a scary time because we just never know what happens.

Leticia Ochoa (Hernandez’s mother)

[On immigrants]: We make America great.

Roberto Comandao Jr.

I try not to dwell on feelings. Whoever gets elected, I’ll just accept whoever might be elected. It’s just (staying) neutral, no feelings. Stay as neutral as possible because it is what it is. I do my job, I do my part. That’s just what I want to do.

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