Barstow votes in historic election

BARSTOW • Ernest Roberts waited for his wife outside the polling station at the Seventh Day Adventist Church Tuesday afternoon. Every election, he and his wife vote together; Roberts said he gets excited to vote each time.

But this election is different, and Roberts is a little more excited.

“Either way, it’s historical,” he said.

If Barack Obama and Joe Biden win, America will have its first black president. If John McCain and Sarah Palin win, America will have its first female vice president. Roberts sees it as a step forward for America no matter the outcome. Roberts, a black man, voted for Obama, but not because of race or party.

“I vote for the best man,” he said.

Several other voters in Barstow said Tuesday’s election held some historic significance. Brian Depue had never voted before, but the presidential race brought him to the polls. Saed Kamel has voted before, but this election, he felt there was a candidate he could with whom he could connect. Kamel, a regular Republican voter, immigrated to Barstow 22 years ago. He voted for Obama, whose father immigrated to the United States as well.

“It gives a lot of motivation for people like me to come to this country,” he said. “It’s a very nice day for me today.”

The historic outcome of Tuesday’s election compelled mothers and fathers to bring their children to the polls. Barbara Rose, a poll worker at the Cora Harper Community Center, said many parents brought in their children to vote with them. Others had to be persuaded to come out on Tuesday.

Stephen Rodriguez, who voted in his first election Tuesday, said that as he and his friends watched final election coverage last night, he had to goad others to vote.

“They didn’t think it mattered,” he said. “It’s four years of someone who is going to be in charge of us.”

Polls stay open until 8 p.m. Click back to www.desertdispatch.com for more on the election and results and they are available.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4121 or aaupperlee@desertdispatch.com