Big push before voter registration deadline
The Santa Cruz County Elections Office is extending hours as a way to make sure people have plenty of time to register to vote.
Take a stroll in Santa Cruz and you won’t have to go very far to find someone with an opinion on this year’s election
“I believe Hillary’s got it in the bag,” said voter Bobby Lowery.
“I am voting for Donald Trump,” said voter Brandon Love.
“I think we need better options,” said voter Camie Home.
It’s been an election season full of new faces, heated debates and in California 17 state ballot measures. To make sure people have the chance to register and have their voices heard, the Santa Cruz County Elections Office is adding extra hours.
“So from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. our office will be open and you can register online,” said Tricia Webber the assistant county clerk for Santa Cruz County.
According to Webber, ahead of the June primary, the county saw a spike in younger voters. More than 40,000 voters between the ages of 18 and 35 are registered and the likely reason is that it’s easier to register online.
“We are noticing that people in the millennial age are getting out and registering to vote,” said Webber.
Still, it hasn’t been just younger people.
“We are seeing overall registration is raising and we typically see that in an election year,” said Webber.
In November 2008, Santa Cruz County saw 148,361 registered voters. In November 2012, it was 158,641. Ahead of the June primary it had 146,193 and as of October, the number of registered voters is 153,898, but that number is expected to rise this weekend.
In the presidential election, many voters I spoke with say they are expecting Hillary Clinton to win.
“I kind of like Hillary Clinton, said Lowery. “I’d like to see her make history.”
Trump has his supporters too.
“I think we need a change in America and I think Trump is the one who is going to do that,” said Love.
Other big issues include a number of state ballot measures with Proposition 64 being a big one.
“I’d like to see marijuana legalized. That way people who really need it don’t get penalized and criminalized,” said Lowery.
Election offices in both Santa Cruz and Watsonville will be open Monday.
