20,000 ballots cast in San Diego County by midday Tuesday

Voting began without incident at 221 polling locations across San Diego County on Tuesday.

Registrar of Voters Shawn Brom reported that officials observed no problems at any of the stations. By 11:30 a.m., more than 20,000 residents had cast their ballots in person. Brom described the turnout as a steady stream.

The current in-person totals build on a strong early voting period. Between Oct. 24 and Monday, more than 32,000 people voted at over 200 centers. Brom told reporters that these early returns are 30 percent to 35 percent higher than November 2022 trends. The county mailed more than 2 million ballots to registered voters. Of the 735,000 ballots returned as of Monday, more than 45 percent arrived via drop boxes.

The lengthy ballot includes 14 state propositions, prompting county officials to push voters to cast ballots early. Scenes remained calm at various sites, including Cajon Park School in Santee and Kennedy Recreation Center in El Cajon. At Chula Vista City Hall, poll workers applauded when first-time voters arrived.

Paloma Guerrero, 51, voted alongside her 23-year-old daughter, Paloma. Guerrero became a U.S. citizen in January and said she wanted to represent the Latino community. She placed her sticker on her jacket and raised her fist outside. The couple did not reveal how they voted.

Juan Becerra, 57, and his wife Dora Campos, 67, also voted for the first time. Becerra said he supported Democrat Xavier Becerra for governor because they share a last name and he agreed with the candidate's proposals. Campos said she researched candidates extensively before voting.

Doug Brummett, 68, voted in northern Santee against Measure Y, a proposed one-cent sales tax increase. He supported Republican Steve Hilton for governor and cited high gas prices as a key issue. Brummett noted that diesel fuel costs two dollars more per gallon than premium gasoline.

Leah Russell, 34, waited under a tree in Santee while reviewing ballot choices. She said she is a liberal raising a 10-year-old son as a single mother. Russell focused on a pushback against President Trump and cuts to federal programs that affect her college attendance.

Fidel Moreno, 62, voted in El Cajon and supports Proposition 39, which requires ID to prove citizenship. He said he receives 15 unwanted ballots at his home from former roommates. Guillermo Orona, 41, voted in Logan Heights before a job interview, citing recent immigration enforcement as a motivator. Christian Pe, 31, voted by mail and supported housing bonds and Steve Hilton for governor.

Susan Algaze, 69, of Del Mar, voted at Carmel Valley Recreation Center. She supported several tax increases, including a countywide half-cent sales tax for health care and child care. Algaze also supported Proposition 40, a tax on billionaires, and Proposition 38, which funds immunology research.