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As the 2022 midterm elections rapidly approach, voters nationwide have flocked to polling stations to make their voices heard in the primaries, with South Pasadena being no exception.
The South Pasadena Library Community Room and War Memorial Building serve as the city’s two voting booths, where voters can drop off ballots and vote in-person. Election officers were stationed inside and outside the buildings, offering assistance and answering various questions.
The midterms help shift political discourse back to the local level, giving voters the opportunity to cast a vote for state and local leaders.
“I think it’s important for my voice to be heard and to have a civic duty to vote,” said Highland Park resident Ian McLees.
McLees says homelessness is a primary issue for him and that he took interest in the Governor and Mayoral races, expressing a desire for a change in Mayoral leadership.
Other voters such as Alhambra resident Jonathan Gordon place issues like housing, education, anti-corruption, and transparency as top priorities.
South Pasadena resident Linda Krausen echoed Gordon’s emphasis on housing, expressing a need for rent control.
“I think we are being overwhelmed by people who don’t live here who buy property,” she said. Krausen explained how outside businesses buying up city property takes away South Pasadena’s small town atmosphere.
This year’s midterms hold crucial importance in Congress, with the U.S. Senate split 51-49 in favor of the Democrats. Polls from FiveThirtyEight have republicans ahead of democrats in the congressional election. Republicans need three votes to take over the Senate Majority.
The Library Community Room and War Memorial Building will be open for voters until 8:00pm today. The midterm election will be held on November 8, 2022.
