On Tuesday, March 5, West Covina residents participated in a pivotal democratic exercise – casting their ballots in the California election, encompassing national primaries, local governmental positions, the Senate seats and crucial state measures.
As voters flocked to the polling stations, their decisions reflected both personal preferences and broader considerations that would impact the trajectory of the country for the next four years.
Some voters and residents were willing to share their views and thoughts on what they voted for, why and where they think the nation is headed.
Seventy-year-old John Henderson* embraces the advent of integrating recent technology to improve efficiency in the voting process and prefers it over the old manual system.
However, Henderson’s primary concern was seeing a repeat of societal unrest that was dividing and polarizing much of the country in the last primary election.
“I can’t believe what we’re going to [experience] in the next six months with Trump and Biden,” Henderson said. “I can’t believe that’s the best we got in this country.”
“It’s terrible,” Henderson added.
Though 70, Henderson has never seen it this tense and feels that the media, amongst other influences, has caused a sense of tribalism in American politics. “It drives a wedge into people to where there’s no give and take anymore,” Henderson said. “It’s either this or that and we’re going to see too much of that in the next six months.”
While many can sympathize with Henderson, others wished for more information on local candidates. Cherie Gomez * was frustrated with the lack of information on local politics. “I wanted to see more info on the judges and district attorneys and what they stand for, what they’ve accomplished … their biography,” said Gomez. “I would go to websites and try to find [additional] information on them and find nothing.”
Casandra Jordan*, who rented a car to get to a voting booth, was more inclined with national policies and wanted to ensure her voice was heard in D.C. “Honestly, my main concern was voting for people who believe in women’s reproductive rights, but I also voted for free health care for all and gun control,” Jordan said.
Vicent W. McCauley hates technology and prefers the old system of manual voting. When asked what he wants to see regarding candidates running for office he said, “Better candidates. More qualified candidates.”
Next to better candidates, McCauley also hopes for more civic education in our schools starting in elementary. “Our dang schools don’t do anything but teach people to take tests and they can’t even pass them,” McCauley said. “Go back to reading, writing, arithmetic and civic duty. Screw all [what] highly educated people think we should be paying more attention too.”
An avid volunteer within the community, McCauley believes heavily in understanding and celebrating citizenship. Growing up during tumultuous social and political times, he recalled taking part as a family in the voting experience. “I set up polls for thirty years and this was done in my family home [with] my mother as the inspector… that’s how I grew up.”
Voters now have their eyes on November when the nation, and perhaps the world, will be waiting anxiously for the results.
* Those interviewed who wished to have their last names alias.
