The 11th hour has arrived for candidates wrapping up their campaigns for today’s elections, but that doesn’t mean they’re slowing down one bit.
“Every minute counts, and this isn’t over until it’s over,” said Republican Gabriella Holt, who spent Monday as the rest of her competitors in the highly-watched 54th Assembly race did – going door to door.
“We’re doing everything we can to reach as many people as we can.”
Her Democratic counterparts, Bonnie Lowenthal and Tonia Reyes Uranga, were also on foot in their neighborhoods to raise voter awareness and garner last-minute support (Republican Michael A. Jackson could not be reached for comment). Moreso than in previous years, simply approaching voters and asking for their support may produce real results.
Both Holt and Lowenthal are expecting a relatively low voter turnout for today’s primary election, a view shared by Eileen Shea, L.A. County Registrar Voters Office spokesperson. Shea has noticed that the number of absentee ballot voters has increased steadily over the last few elections – already more that 242,000 have been cast, and many more are expected after receiving more than 642,000 absentee form requests.
“I think it’s got a lot to do with being a time-saving issue,” said Shea. “People are now more aware than ever that they have this opportunity.”
While voters have caught on quickly, others adjust to accommodate them.
“We’ve suddenly realized that by the time we get to people, they have already voted,” said Phyllis O’Connor, President of the League of Women Voters in the Long Beach Area. “It does have the effect of changing the dynamic of the process.”
Opinions are mixed as to exactly what effect absentee voting has on election results – O’Connor says the LWV now starts working earlier in the campaign season to reach absentee voters. Meanwhile, candidates like those in the 54th scramble to reach those who haven’t yet made up their minds. And in a local election expecting a very low turnout, every vote is certainly going to be important.
“We’re working to contact voters up until the end,” said Lowenthal, who is “cautiously optimistic” about her chances of victory today. Both she and Democratic opponent Tonia Reyes Uranga hope to capture the hearts of voters in order to proceed to the general election for the seat in November, where the winner will face either Holt or Jackson as well as Libertarian John Kling.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor