Sacramento voters braved rain to vote in person. Here’s what was on their minds.

Voters braved rainy and blustery conditions to vote on Election Day to cast ballots in person.

At Sacramento State’s vote center, students with backpacks dropped off their ballots during their lunch hour: 

“It was really convenient,” Mason Walker said. “I was already here already. I have an hour in between classes, so I just stopped by

The 20-year-old Sac State student says he was happy to be voting in person. “I’m happy to help secure abortion rights within California. That was the big drive for me to come out today.”

This election, Walker says he mostly heard about the issues on Instagram — where he and his friends encouraged one another to vote. 

California’s Proposition 1 enshrines the right to an abortion in the state constitution. And it was what pulled others to the polls, as well.

Elias Misker came to vote with his fiancee. “Whatever you need to do with your body should be your own choice. So it shouldn’t be a government's choice,” he said.

At other vote centers, local measures were more top of mind. In North Sacramento, policy that focused on homelessness, including Measure O, was a focus. 

Adrienne Taylor, a 54-year-old state employee, expressed frustration. “I'm just tired of the situation of the world at this time. The homelessness, the crime, the increased inflation. So I just felt like it was really good for me to come out and vote and try to make a difference, you know, because I just want it to end, you know?”

Sixty-year-old Suresh Latchman has lived in the city for 21 years and feels similarly. “It's homelessness. You know, I see homelessness everywhere. Wherever I go, I see homelessness. And what's what is the cost, of course, of doing this?” they said.

In Arden-Arcade at the Arcade Library, 45-year-old Lanisha Jean came to the polls with her 10-year-old daughter, Khole. She said that they knocked on doors together for Measure L. 

I just feel like it's important that we invest in our children and make them a priority. If we say they're a priority, we need to act like they're a priority,” he said.

For 23-year-old Denisse Ruiz, coming out to vote was non-negotiable. 

“I think in certain senses, I view it as a privilege. I think that a lot of people don't acknowledge the privilege. We have to even be able to vote,” she said.

Dionne Johnson Senior is 54 and says he’s been voting regularly since he realized what his ancestors went through to give him the right. 

“I will say this is something that you need to do because it was people that died for the fact that you be able to do it right now. So your vote matters. It counts,” he said.

As for counting the ballots, that could take a few more weeks.