On election day, Mission Loc@l had three teams out in the field, and three editors back in the newsroom on Treat Avenue pulling content into a live-blogging feed that built over the day.
Along with photos, text and audio, the teams produced more than 10 videos (see “Related”) that offer a glimpse of the day and a sense of where the country is.
Yes, this is one of the most liberal districts in one of the most liberal cities, but you have to wonder what it means, for example, when Mission voters express frustration with Obama; when professionals say they’re angry about tax breaks for businesses; when residents still consider it a privilege to vote.
Below is a synopsis of our full election day coverage, which is HERE.
The day began at 6:50 a.m. with a post from Matt Sarnecki at 1387 Valencia St., near 25th, where a half-dozen people were lined up and ready to vote.
Blake Rogers, 40, one of the first, expressed a confusion about ranked-choice voting that would become a common refrain over the next 13 hours. He was uncertain what would happen if he only voted for one mayoral candidate. “They told us to vote for three,” he said, “but it wasn’t clear what would happen if you only voted for one.”
Later, Sarnecki talked to a voter at Garfield Park. “There is no second or third choice in my mind,” Bill Lynch said.
Early in the day, voters like the one Justine Quart spoke to hoped that the Occupy movement and disenchantment would spur voting. But the polls closed with only a 30 percent turnout — the lowest in a decade.
Marta Franco picked up on the apathy when she interviewed Latino voters. Despite John Avalos’ and Dennis Herrera’s candidacies, Franco found little interest. “They’re all the same,” Mexican Antonio Chan said timidly in Spanish.
Reporting from the community had stories to tell about the culture here as well as about the election. At one polling garage on 15th and Ramona streets, Molly Oleson said that by 8:20 a.m. at least 20 people had arrived on their bicycles to vote.
At the Mission Police station, Christy Koshaba found a couple of 17-year-olds getting a political education. “I’m taking civics, so this is a great way to learn more about government,” said Julia, a high school senior at Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep. A good thing. Later in the day, Melanie Ruiz found middle schoolers who thought that a celebrity’s vote counted more than other people’s.
Ryan Loughlin, over at 22nd and Shotwell streets, ran into voters at lunchtime who were confused about more than ranked-choice voting.
“I haven’t voted because a lady with a clipboard told me that you need an ID and you can’t have a criminal record,” said DJ Cambridge, a 20-year-old dressed in a black sweatshirt and a red baseball cap.
“I don’t got a record or anything and I’m going to vote … first I’m going to get a burrito,” he said.
And Quart found what may be the prettiest place in the Mission to vote, a restored Victorian on 22nd Street near York. “Anyone can go to City Hall,” said neighbor Benjamin Brower, who was accompanied by his dog, Dive. But “this is the pretty place to go vote.”
Throughout the day, candidates found it tempting to step within the 100-foot limit at polling places. Molly Oleson watched as poll workers at Valencia Gardens moved Bevan Dufty’s workers away.
At the St. Francis Mercy Housing complex, Koshaba found residents who consider voting almost ceremonial. “People line up to vote,” said Lucy, the building’s manager. “They even dress up to vote.”
Editors: Alicia Avila, Kate Elston, C.K. Hickey
Reporters: Marta Franco, Jamie Goldberg, Rigoberto Hernandez, Christy Khoshaba, Ryan Loughlin, Molly Oleson, John C. Osborn, Justine Quart, Melanie Ruiz, Matt Sarnecki, Greg Woods
Great picture!