bigrus

El Paso voters and candidates speak on final day of 2024 early voting

Harry November 4, 2024

Voters and candidates demonstrated throughout El Paso. Early voting has ended Election day is approaching on Friday.

El Paso County broke the record for the largest single-day in-person early voting with 20,000 ballots cast Friday, breaking the previous record of 19,067 set on the first day of early voting in the November 2020 election, the county elections office said. . Election Day is on Tuesday, November 5.

Approximately 190,000 votes were cast by mail or in person during the 12-day early voting period, which began on Monday, October 21 and ended on Friday, November 1.

While these numbers are strong, they fall short of the more than 225,000 cast members during the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of the 2020 presidential election. That could mean Election Day will be defined by long lines and frustrated voters.

Attendance was strong Friday, from the Marty Robbins Recreation Center on the East Side to Bassett Place in Central and the Van Doren Library on the West Side. Voters lined up to cast their votes at various polling places.

Even on a ballot full of high-profile votes mayoral races And El Paso City CouncilMost voters were most eager to cast their ballots in the presidential contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Some didn’t even vote in El Paso County races.

El Paso City Council candidates vie for attention at the Marty Robbins Recreation Center

While lines at the Marty Robbins Recreation Center pale in comparison to the first day of early voting, candidates are running for Eastridge-Mid-Valley District 7 seat on City Council They were there to make their voices heard to voters as they lined up.

Council candidate Fabiola Campos-Lopez, who has been visiting polling stations on the East Coast for the past two weeks, was standing right next to the orange cone marking the 100-foot limit campaigns must adhere to when introducing their candidates.

“I think it’s different every poll,” he said, delivering his message to voters before heading to the polls. “In some places, people are more educated and have already done their research.”

“(Voters) are mostly here for the presidential election, so it’s nice to be here.”

Her strongest rival, race frontrunner Lily Limón, was not far away.

“I think today (voters) are really focused and coming out to cast their votes,” he noted. “They did their research.”

Like Campos-Lopez, Limón has been making the rounds in the 7th District over the past 12 days and has had success reaching voters; This is something he owes largely to his well-known status in the region.

“I think I have an advantage because of the name recognition,” he said.

Other campaigners were not so outspoken; There was a woman holding a life-size purse. mayoral candidate Brian Kennedy declined to discuss early voting participation, and nearby a group of men gathered around a truck covered in campaign posters. El Paso County sheriff candidate Oscar Ugarte declined to give their names.

Jose Chavez, who votes Downtown, has been frequenting the recreation center for the past few days wearing a Trump hat he bought at a local thrift store. However, the poll worker instructed him that his hat constituted illegal electioneering.

Texas election laws prohibit electioneering, including wearing shirts, hats or clothing for or against any candidate or political party, within 100 feet of a polling place.

“I didn’t bother anyone there,” Chavez said.

Chavez’s support for Trump stems from the presidential candidate’s tough-guy persona, tough on terrorists and tough on immigrants.

“My biggest problem is … President Trump is the lesser of two evils,” he said. “I have read the scriptures and they are both evil… (but) every country in the world guards its own borders (If Trump is not elected) We are heading towards World War III, nuclear war.”

Richard Hernandez, who voted on Friday, did not agree with this view.

“I don’t like Trump,” he said. “This is the main race.”

He admitted that he voted against them all. Proposals on the ballot other than Proposal EThis will allocate $32.7 million for a new county animal shelter.

Meanwhile, Javier Zaragoza did not vote in the City Council race and did not know which district he lived in.

“I always vote,” he thought. “I think it’s our civic duty, I think it’s important.”

Presidential election draws long lines on Bassett Place

A long line of voters was seen at the Bassett Place hall on Friday, but security quickly informed reporters that they were not allowed to report on private property per the administration’s instructions.

However, this did not stop Marina Rush from explaining the reasons that brought her to the polls.

“We want Harris to be there,” he said. “We do not want a second term with Trump”

While he called Harris honest and trustworthy, he criticized Trump for derogatory remarks he made about women, including his daughter. 34 criminal counts He was attacked earlier this year for falsifying business records.

“I can’t believe our judicial system,” Rush said. “They completely let us down.”

Although he recognizes the importance of local races, Rush said the presidential race is the real draw for him.

“I’m interested in El Paso, but my real interest is the presidency,” he said. “All of these things that can happen in the future will happen much sooner (if Trump is elected). It’s a shame.”

Trumpeter for Trump performs at Van Doren Library

Standing in the parking lot of the Van Doren Library on Friday, David Delgado was dressed head-to-toe in white mariachi attire and singing songs in support of his candidate.

“People don’t understand that if Harris is elected, they’re going to keep bringing these people, these illegal immigrants, here, and you can’t control the Democratic Party,” he said, standing behind an oversized Trump sign. “I’ve never done this for any president, but if I had to go to war, I’d fight for this man.”

James Barton has decided against voting for mayor but said the City Council race is “kind of a mess.” After waiting 40 minutes to vote, he called on the El Paso County Elections Department to invest in additional voting machines.

“People can’t wait an hour,” he said. “I’m retired, so I can do it, but it’s really hard for working people.”

just as 7th district race He was playing in the parking lot across town on the West Side 1st district candidates He could be seen milling around the lot, hoping to attract last-minute voters who might still be undecided.

“I think the turnout here has been amazing,” said West Side council candidate Alejandra Chavez. “I think the voters are well-informed and well-intentioned. I haven’t seen any negativity out there, which is great.”

Not far away, one of his three rivals was also there. In the District 1 raceTom Handy, who has set up shop at the library since early voting began.

Handy, on behalf of his party, said the crowd that showed up at the Van Doren Library was pretty evenly split between voters who knew exactly who they supported and voters who were open to hearing a candidate’s message face-to-face.

He said that although some voters may avoid local races, local races really impact one’s daily life.

“I think the City Council has a greater influence than the president,” he said.

Adam Powell covers government and policy for the El Paso Times and can be reached by email at [email protected].