With the California primary nearing its deadline, KGTV reports on San Diego County's record voter registration and captures the differing views of two local residents on the state's direction, key issues like cost of living and homelessness, and what they want from the next governor, alongside recent poll data highlighting top concerns among San Diegans.
SAN DIEGO — Voters have one more day to case ballots in the California state primary, with a record 23.1 million people registered to vote statewide — 2 million of them in San Diego County alone.
At ballot drop boxes across the county, voters shared what drove their decisions, saying their choices went far beyond simply picking a name on a ballot. Paul Dusek, who's lived in the City of San Diego since 1969, said he believes the state needs a fresh start, and that his decision was an easy one based on decades of evidence.
"If government was run more like a business, I don't think we'd have as many problems. But it's not, because we're using OPM, other people's money. So, when you have that kind of methodology, it's just constant waste in my opinion," Dusek said. When asked what he hopes to see from the next governor, Dusek was direct.
"Do what you say, say what you do, make it work, and no BS," Dusek said. Not everyone is looking for change. Otis Tidwell, also a City of San Diego resident, said he would prefer the next governor keep things close to the way they are.
"Almost like Newsom was running it. If he can continue to keep California running that way, I think we'll be we'll be better off than having someone else in there that really doesn't know how California operates," Tidwell said. According to a KGTV/San Diego Union-Tribune/SurveyUSA poll, cost of living tops the list of biggest issues facing California, cited by 48% of San Diegans.
Homelessness came in second at 12%, followed by housing at 11%, immigration at 7%, and threats to democracy at 7%.
"I'd say all of the above," said Dusek when asked about the biggest issues weighing on him. "The taxes in this state are outrageous, and the decisions that have been made have been consistently wrong, in my opinion. " For Tidwell, it came down to one priority above all others. "Voters rights," he said.
Despite differing priorities, voters agree there is a lot at stake in this primary election. Follow ABC 10News Anchor Max Goldwasser on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Please follow us on Google to support us California Primary Election Voter Registration San Diego County Cost Of Living Homelessness Housing Immigration Democracy Governor Voter Priorities Polls KGTV
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Absolutely critical proportions’: Nearly 100,000 across San Diego County risk losing CalFresh under new ruleNew federal work requirements take effect Monday for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, commonly known as food stamps.
Read more »
The Streamline: How issues important to San Diego County voters could help shape governor's raceFrom microclimate updates to important headlines, ABC 10News keeps your mornings on track with the Streamline newsletter.
Read more »
Column: Easygoing, safe-bet governor may be what California voters wantRegardless of the final vote count, Xavier Becerra’s pre-primary sprint to the front in the race for governor was remarkable and historic.
Read more »
Things to Do in San Diego This Week: Nighttime Zoo, Black Maritime History, and MoreA view of the San Diego Zoo's Jambo Dunia attraction with wildlife puppets, acrobats and dancers during the Nighttime Zoo summer programming. This week in San Diego, the San Diego Zoo's Nighttime Zoo shows are back, and the Maritime Museum of San Diego has a new exhibit on Black maritime history. There are also concerts, dance competitions, and other events happening around the city.
Read more »