Oakland will soon have a new mayor with special election ending Tuesday
OAKLAND — Oakland will soon have a new mayor. Tuesday, April 15, is the last day to vote in the special election.
Despite the high stakes, the Alameda County Deputy Registrar says less than 20% of voters had returned their ballots so far.
In the final moments of early voting, Anita Rao stopped by to cast hers.
"It's really important that we get someone who represents normal people like us," said Rao.
Rao turned out to vote despite having mixed feeling about the recall.
"I feel that they never got a chance, and it was a waste of my money to have another election," Rao said about the special mayoral election.
Oakland is voting for a new mayor for a short two-year term after Sheng Thao was recalled in November.
The ballot has 10 candidates on it, but the front runners are former Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former City Councilmember Loren Taylor.
Voters are hopeful one of them can make a difference in Oakland.
"It's more about some things have to change here," said Rao about what she wants to see happen in Oakland.
"Crime is rampant; get more people downtown," said Ed Rachles about what he wants to see from the new mayor. "Downtown seems to be kind of a ghost town these days."
Also on the ballot is voting for a new District 2 city councilmember and a sales tax increase that would provide funding for city programs and services, such as public safety and police services.
"It's a pittance to pay get some stuff done," said Rachles.
Despite less than a fifth of ballots returned so far, poll captain Ric Reed says people were stopping by the library near 14th Street and Lakeside Drive.
"Actually, at this polling location, we've been fairly steady with voters coming in regularly," said Reed.
He said there's no difference in how they handle a regular election versus a special one.
"We are using the same procedures to make sure everyone's right to vote in enabled to be taken care of," said Reed. "And in a special election, that voice may be even more important, but also we make sure everything is secure."
Rao said she's encouraging everyone who hasn't voted yet to do so.
"When I was young, I never used to vote, but I realize that we have no right to complain if we don't vote, and I don't want to hear anything from anybody if they're not here voting," said Rao.
All voting locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
