Valley voters headed to the polls Tuesday as officials noted smooth and steady turnout across the region as ballots were cast in the consequential midterm election which will shape the future of local, state and federal governments.
Stanislaus and Merced county residents started making their way to voting centers across the county at 7 a.m. Tuesday. This election San Joaquin Valley voters will help choose California’s next governor, settle 14 statewide propositions and determine the balance of the U.S. House of Representatives among other races.
With polls across the state and Valley staying open until 8 p.m. Tuesday, voters have plenty of ways to vote. Stanislaus County has 27 drop off locations, 5 outdoor drop boxes and 30 voting centers all receiving ballots. Neighboring Merced County has 19 drop box locations and 15 voting centers.
But many Valley voters didn’t wait to get their ballots on Tuesday. Early voting rose 28 to 30%, said Stanislaus County Clerk Recorder Donna Linder, who serves as the Registrar of Voters.
“So far it has been great,” Linder said Tuesday afternoon. “Our vote centers have been totally steady all day long and busy.”
At her office, staff are fielding a steady stream of phone calls from voters with important last-minute questions, like asking where to go and how to get a replacement ballot.
“Today’s day is all about our voters,” Linder said. “We’re here to assist them.”
Stanislaus voters proud to do their part
In Oakdale, Brett Martin, 65, brought his granddaughter Rory along to cast his vote in person, hoping to start her journey on learning how to fulfill her civic duty. Martin, who has voted since age 18, is feeling optimistic about this year’s elections. He hopes to see a high turnout so people can make their opinions known.
“There’s a lot of people that just stand by and let things happen and don’t get involved when they should,” Martin said. “Let everybody know what we think out here in the Valley compared to some of the other areas in California.”
Tiffany Schurr, an election clerk at the Modesto City-County Airport voting center said several voters showed up first thing in the morning to cast their votes before work. She’s run the site since it opened on Halloween, and will join the volunteers Wednesday morning to continue counting.
Over the years, Schurr has noticed certain Stanislaus County polling places – such as the Veterans Center, Gene Bianchi Community Center and Salida Library – see the most traffic.
“It’s important, guys, come out here, get your votes casted. Make sure every vote counts,” she said.
Charlie Rogers, a 32-year-old public works employee for the City of Oakdale, took his legally allotted time off to cast his ballot Tuesday morning at the Gene Bianchi Community Center.
“I chose to vote in person because I wanted the least path of resistance for anybody that would try to get in the way of that process, particularly the federal government,” he said.
U.S. House and state Assembly races were top of mind for him this election. He felt local measures and his city council races were straightforward.
When asked if he felt prepared for the election, Rogers said, “More than ever in my life.”
Caelus Huizer is voting for the second time ever after turning 18 last year. She said she’s feeling positive about the elections and hopes to see real change, both locally, statewide and nationally. Her biggest concerns are rising gas prices, the war in Iran, and the chances of the Democratic Party taking back the Senate.
“This is, I would say, our chance to retake it all and actually make a difference,” she said. “I think it’s definitely worth coming in. I’m sure glad that I did, and I did my part.”
Voting in Merced County running ‘smoothly’
In Merced County, voting is going “swimmingly,” according to local officials.
“Voting centers are moving smoothly, voters are getting out to vote,” Merced County Registrar of Voters Melvin Levey said.
He said the county voting system is “incredibly secure” and additional staff and equipment have been brought in to handle returns.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the county has received more than 22,000 ballots since doors opened in the morning since doors opened in the morning. County officials expect ‘significantly more’ throughout Election Day.
“We had really strong return rates early on. When it’s all said and done after today, I think we’ll see a turnout factor that is much higher than 2022,” Levey said.
According to Levey, about 36,000 mail in ballots had been processed Sunday night.
Traffic at many voting centers around Merced waswas slow during the day during the day, with higher turnout at UC Merced, Levey said.
Retiree Connie Pacheco voted in-person at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in northern Merced, despite feeling under the weather.
“It was important to me to get out and make my voice count,” Pacheco said. “It’s our duty.”
Pacheco said she is feeling “hopeful and optimistic” for the election results. She said the most important issues for her are Social Security and taxes.
“Hopefully it makes a difference locally.” Pacheco said. “But I’m waiting for the big (presidential) one. I’m hoping something changes because our economy, everything is terrible.”
Valley officials expect to start posting election results after polls close at 8 p.m.
