There is a sense of pride and patriotism has been shown among vote casters fulfilling their civic duty in the last hours of the 2022 Primary Elections.
San Diego County residents had several ways to cast their vote before and during the June 7 Gubernatorial Primary Elections. Polling locations opened their doors to voters at 7 a.m. for the opportunity to vote in person or drop off ballots before the 8 p.m. deadline.
Voters can expect to see unofficial election night results coming in shortly after 8 p.m. The unofficial results will include mail ballots received before Election Day and vote center ballots from early voting between May 28 through June 6. It also includes votes for qualified write-in candidates.
San Diego County announced it expected more than 1.9 million registered voters to cast their ballots by election day, with 218 vote centers throughout the region. Hilltop High School’s Cafeteria served as a vote center and had steady foot traffic in the early afternoon.
Jessica de la Peña, a Chula Vista resident and former math teacher at Lighthouse Christian Academy, was joined by her sons Paul David,10, and four-year-old Caleb, to dropp off their ballot at Hilltop High School.
“It is important that we educate our children about the voting process. I saw with my kids and read through the candidates. Regardless of what side we vote on, we need to know both sides to make a good decision and help our children understand what they are doing in the voting process,” de la Peña said.
Although 10-year-old Paul David is ineligible to cast his own ballot until the age of 18, he said voting means he can have a say in what he can have.
“If we can vote for the right people, things will start looking nice. Things that were made nice can stay nice. If we vote for the wrong people, we won't be able to maintain things that are made nice,” Paul David said. “If we vote for the wrong people, things won't look nice. That is because [of] selfish people. Selfish people will take the money and use it for themselves and not everything else in the community.”
Paul David said he has seen this selfishness happen in history.
“If you look at London, there are some beautiful [areas], but that is where the prime ministers live. Other parts of London [look] real dumpy and not so nice,” he said. “Not everyone who says they are a good person is a good person.”
Jessica described Paul David as “a history buff" with a love for the constitution and law.
“He wants to be a lawyer one day,” de la Peña said “We definitely agree to let them learn about different points of view and perspectives. He loves it, and he loves studying.”
De la Peña said it is important to teach children about the candidates and why they are running.
“Some children are inquisitive and are interested in what others are doing. I think it is very important that children are made aware of the voting process. We have a right and the freedom to vote is a privilege,” she said “We are just excited to be Christian American citizens, being able to vote and be a part of this process.”
After casting his vote at the Chula Vista City Hall voting center, Abe Timbol, a Chula Vista resident of 16 years, said expressing his voice to the system is a privilege.
“[Voting] is a privilege and a right is given by this great country,” said Timbol while waiting for his wife, Nenita from outside the voting center. “You have to exercise your right to protect your rights and benefits given to you by this country.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by Jim and Martha Matney, Chula Vista residents of nearly 40 and 25 years, respectively.
“Voting is our duty,” Jim said.
Martha said she felt happy voting because it resembles her citizenship in the United States. She shared that she has been able to cast her vote since 2002.
“Young people should vote to improve their lives in Chula Vista and any city they live in. There are a lot of changes I would like to see, but the city is very beautiful,” Martha said.
After election night, the next release of unofficial results will be posted by 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 9. Additional updates will occur at the discretion of the Registrar of Voters. Final certified results are expected by July 7.
