South Gate showed up to vote this Election Day with migrant loved ones in mind

At 9 a.m. Tuesday, more than a hundred people shuffled into the Leland R. Weaver Library in South Gate to cast their vote before hurrying off to work. Despite a long day ahead, many felt it was important to make their voices heard, especially in a city where 95% of the population identifies as Latino. 

Many echoed the same sentiment: it is important to vote at a time of rampant attacks on immigrant communities and when many aren’t eligible to cast ballots.

This midterm Election Day was Ivonne Sanchez’s first time voting. As she stood outside the Leland R. Weaver Library, she spoke of her motivation to participate for the first time. She felt it was important to be a voice for immigrants who can’t vote, despite them being heavily impacted by the current administration.

“It’s really sad seeing what people are going through, what kids are going through,” Sanchez said. “I know deportations have been going on forever, but the way it's going on now is just so inhumane. There needs to be change. I feel like it was my time to start speaking up.”

Alex Morales, who also voted at the library, mirrored Sanchez, saying he feels the country is in a bad place under the current administration, especially with families being taken away by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents. 

He voted with his family before work so they could all hold each other accountable to do their civic duty. They prefer voting in person so they can have the peace of mind that their ballot is cast right away.

“I think it's important [for Latinos to vote] because I don't think people realize Latinos really are becoming like the majority and if we all just come out and do our part, get educated, spread awareness or encourage somebody else to do it, we can really make big things happen,” Morales said.

He helped his 84-year-old grandma, who got her citizenship a couple of years ago, vote. He said his grandma, a South Gate resident, was particularly concerned about how the tax proposition would raise expenses. 

South Gate is currently voting on whether to authorize an 8% Utility Users Tax which would generate approximately $10.4 million annually for the city's general fund to be spent on schools, emergency services, sidewalk and street repair,and parks and recreation programs.

Another measure on voters' minds was Proposition 40, the Billionaire Tax, which would enforce a 5% tax on the wealth of California taxpayers and trusts with assets valued over $1 billion. Jackeline Witron, a South Gate native who also voted at the library, said she felt it was important to support the Billionaire Tax and understand how other measures on the ballot could interact with that one. 

She also emphasized the importance of the governor’s race, in which she supported Xavier Becerra.

“I know many people, including relatives of mine, say voting doesn't count, but then why would they invest so much in suppression and voting suppression and also the campaign?” Witron said. “It does matter. There are consequences when we don't.”

Just before noon at the Leland R. Weaver Library, a caravan of about a dozen honking cars passed by with signs encouraging people to vote as it headed off through Tweedy Street. 

Down the street at the South Gate Sports Center, residents formed a line that extended out of the building and down the sidewalk. Ashley Vargas thought it was important to show up amid repression of Latino voices, especially of previous generations.

“There are a lot of people who came [to the U.S.] to try to become something, just for our voices to be shut down and not be heard,” Vargas said. “It’s really important for the next generation to really make sure our voices are out there and fight for those who fought to be here.”

Rebecca Shouldice, who also voted at the South Gate Sports Center, echoed the sentiment.

“Our people have been under a lot of persecution and silencing, and I want to be able to speak for our ancestors who didn’t get a chance to voice their opinions or be able to stand up for themselves because of colonization,” she said. “It is because of them that I am here today.”

South Gate isn’t the only South East Los Angeles city that showed out. 

In Cudahy, a line overflowed out of the Leo P. Turner Community Center. Judith Ruiz, who voted there, also chimed in on the common theme of voting for those who can’t. Elizabeth Ramos and Israel Peña went to the community center to vote for their parents, who can’t vote because of their immigration status.

Ruiz was also concerned about a rent control measure on the ballot. She feels it is important to stabilize rent, but if passed, the measure would allow increases beyond the existing 3% annual rent-increase cap. 

“I think many of us often think our voices are not going to be heard, but I think the more we come out, the more we show that, you know, we are able to express how we feel and what we want, then we can change what we want,” Ruiz said.