Oakland Latinx voters speak about why they voted this midterm election
on November 6, 2018
According to the Pew Research Center, there are over 29.1 million Latinx voters registered to vote in the United States. Oakland North spoke with five local Latinx voters on Election Day and asked them how they are voting on issues like the mayoral race, rent control, and property taxes. Here’s what they said:
Jose Lorenzana, 73
“I voted today because I like to fulfill my duties as a citizen. I vote every year. ”
Aleah Rosario, 32
“One of the most important things for me was the mayoral race. I feel like this year was an opportunity to put someone in the seat that really represents the people.”
“A lot of what I am voting for this year is to stand up to a lot of policies happening by the Trump administration and coming down from a federal level.”
“My Latinx identity and my mixed race identity really comes to play into my decision on who I vote for. It really matters what the candidates and what the measures are and how they take care of traditionally marginalized people.”
Christine Blanco, 31
“Voting is something that I’ve always done since I can remember because my mom would vote during midterms. It’s really encouraging to see how serious everyone is taking it around me. Whatever happens happens but this is a really good way to encourage people to go out there and be more proactive in making the decisions for the community versus giving it to someone else in power.”
Isaac Ramos, 33
“I’ve always thought it was important to vote. I’ve been voting since I was 18.”
“Definitely the Proposition 10 was important to me. Definitely the mayor’s race. I would say those were the top two.”
Gabriel Castillo, 72
“I voted today because I think it is paramount for people at this juncture in time, in history, to become involved politically in one way or the other as much as they can and however they can. Because the results of not doing that are dismal for our society. I think we’re headed towards fascism. We’re headed towards a bleak future unless we take action.”
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