Overview:
Ahead of the June 30th primary, we asked people why they chose to vote (or not vote) for Bucket List on the Street.
It’s almost primary time.
The Colorado primary election is on Tuesday, June 30, and according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office, over 639,000 ballots have been returned by eligible voters, according to the most recent statistics.
Colorado has approximately 4.5 million registered voters, and the most recent numbers show a 14% voter turnout days before the election. This week’s Bucket List on the Street asks five residents, “What is motivating you to go out and vote in the Colorado primary elections on June 30th, and if you’re not voting, why not?”
Everyone we spoke with expressed their desire to vote, emphasizing the importance of voting locally.
‘It starts local before it gets statewide’
Laura has lived in Boulder for several years and says the primaries have always been important to her.
“I’ve lived here for a long time,” Laura said. “It starts local before it gets statewide, before it gets to the federal level.”
Laura expressed her desire to be knowledgeable about who she is voting for before it reaches a federal level. Local elections make a larger impact on communities, knowing how voting will impact them.
“I like to know who I’m voting for, you know, when it comes to the main elections in November,” Laura said.
Creating change through voting
Sean, like Laura, has lived in Colorado for many years and considers the primaries to be extremely important.
“At the base level, we have to really be looking at how we can help the country,” Sean said. “It’s really starting from the bottom and working upwards, so the primaries are really one of those spots where we can dig in and show out.”
‘That is what’s really going to impact us the quickest’
Alexa, 30, lives in Boulder, and, like many locals we spoke with, understands the direct effects that local elections have.
“I think it’s really important to focus as much as we can on local elections, because that is what’s really going to impact us the quickest,” Alexa said. “That’s what’s going to influence bigger things like presidential elections and forming opinions about things like, just basic things like abortion and immigration.”
Protecting rights
For Sydney, a 27-year-old Boulder local, voting goes beyond community impact, it means a chance to protect her rights and the rights of others.
“I’m voting because I care about my rights,” Sydney said.
With everything that has been going on in the world right now, Sydney feels as though the current governance cares little about the rights of women and minorities.
“The way the government is going right now, it doesn’t seem like they care about women, or people of color,” Sydney said. “That’s why I’m voting; I want to be able to make a change for people who can’t.”
Having a voice in politics
Annie’s answer sums up the answers of each and every resident we spoke with. Voting is something we get to do, we fought for the right to be able to vote and this is a chance to exercise that right.
“We actually get to have input on what our government looks like,” says Annie. “Not being able to do that, that’s tragic and it’s difficult.”
What motivates Coloradans to vote? Well, it all comes down to a few2 issues: The right to vote, the impact of local elections and the opportunity to make a difference.
We will be back next Sunday, July 5, to see what locals have to say about the rise in coffee prices and their thoughts on affordability in general.
