Election officials reflect on challenges to pandemic-era voting and urge students to vote in upcoming elections 

By YAN YAN HUSTIS HAYES — city@theaggie.org

On Oct. 6, the Yolo County Elections Office finalized the results from the Sept. 14 California gubernatorial recall election.

Of the 121,550 registered voters in Yolo County, 78,048 ballots were counted, with a total voter turnout of 64.2%. Of that, 67.92% voted not to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom and 32.08% voted to remove Newsom from office. The official results are available on the Yolo County Elections website.

Yolo County Registrar of Voters Jesse Salinas said that while the turnout for presidential elections is typically higher, the turnout for this past recall election was consistent with past gubernatorial election turnouts.

“The last presidential election had record turnout, but typically in presidential elections we have around a 76-77% turnout,” Salinas said. “In this particular election, we had a 64% turnout overall, not what a presidential election is but still it was comparable to the gubernatorial election in November 2018.”

The pandemic has posed unique challenges to the way the county runs elections, according to Salinas.

“The pandemic has fundamentally shifted how we run elections in Yolo County,” Salinas said. “Before the pandemic, we had 96 polling places that were spread throughout the county. What we discovered was that when the pandemic was just starting, we started to have a near crisis in terms of poll workers.”

Salinas said that while the pandemic has posed challenges to staffing in-person polling stations, there has been a sharp increase in the number of mail-in ballots.

“[For the Sept. 2021 gubernatorial recall election,] 95% of the voters voted using the vote-by-mail ballot option and of those, 58% returned it by mail, another 30% used the drop box and 7% dropped it off directly at a voter assistance center,” Salinas said. “To give you context, in 2010 essentially 50% of voters voted by mail.”

Running elections is a long and involved process which means that it is very important that voter information is up to date, according to Salinas.

“We start preliminary work for elections now for June, things typically kick into gear 154 days prior to the election and what’s even more challenging is that redistricting is taking place,” Salinas said. “If you have moved at all, go online to the secretary of state’s office and register to vote online so we can get your latest address. We strongly encourage folks and especially students to update their address if they’ve moved, even if it’s just from one side of campus to the other.”

Third-year biological sciences major Briahna Oliva said that while she was already planning to vote, on-campus polling stations made the choice even easier.

“I was planning on voting before, just because my friends always talk about politics and how important it is,” Oliva said. “It was easier because [the polling station] was on campus — voting is really important and it’s easier for you to vote as a student because there’s polling stations on campus.”

Oliva advised students who are going to be voting for the first time in the midterm elections to register in Yolo County and stressed the importance of paying attention to all elections, not just presidential elections.

“Make sure you’re registered in Yolo County — that was one of my mistakes when I was a freshman,” Oliva said. “I don’t think people thought [the recall election] was as pressing [as other elections] but they should. You want your opinion to matter.”

Yolo County Elections Office Outreach Specialist María Coronel said that ensuring that youth in the community vote poses a unique challenge.

“Historically, and regardless of the country or state of origin, youth in general have voted at lower rates than their slightly older peers,” Coronel said via email. “It is estimated that 50% of young people, ages 18-29 nationwide, voted in the 2020 presidential election, a remarkable 11-point increase from 2016 (39%) and likely one of the highest rates of youth electoral participation since the voting age was lowered to 18.”

This trend of low youth turnout is compounded by the pandemic, according to Coronel.

“Another equally great challenge was to reach out to students who were participating in virtual and distant learning classes and away from campus and their Yolo County place of residence,” Coronel said via email. “The Yolo County Elections Office social media handles, voter information phone line, and email communication were essential tools for providing streamlined up-to-date information for this group of voters.”

Student registration drives are another big part of how Yolo County Elections reaches out to youth voters, according to Coronel.

“Yolo County Elections in partnership with organizations such as the League of Women Voters Davis and identified college campuses such as UC Davis have organized and led student-oriented Voter Registration Drives in these college campuses and communities,” Coronel said via email. “These registration drives provide students with the opportunity to register to vote, often for the first time, or as a reminder and real-time opportunity to update their existing voter registration in the event a change in name or address occurred.”

More information about upcoming voter drives and opportunities to get involved can be found on the Yolo County Elections website or on their social media pages.

Written by: Yan Yan Hustis Hayes — city@theaggie.org

Flu vaccines will help prevent the possibility of a double pandemic

By SHRADDHA JHINGAN — city@theaggie.org

    Yolo County announced that it will be holding free flu shot clinics during the month of October to help protect residents against the flu, according to a press release published on Oct. 8. More clinics will also be added to the list for November as well.

    “Yolo County strongly encourages residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from influenza (flu) this year by vaccinating,” the press release reads.

    The locations of upcoming flu shot clinics include the Yolo County HHSA Building on Oct. 26, in the River City Room and the Knights Landing Family Resource Center on Oct. 29. Additionally, another clinic was held at Davis Senior Center on Oct. 19 and the Yolo County Office of Education on Oct. 12. The hours of the respective clinics can be found in the press release.

    John Fout, the public information officer for Yolo County, explained the impact that the free flu shot clinics will have on residents in Yolo County.

    “The free clinics are spread around the county, including unincorporated areas like Esparto and Knight’s Landing,” Fout said via email. “The free flu shot removes the need to pay for a shot. This assists our residents with convenience and best of all, it comes at no cost.”

    Fout added that the free clinics also help “older residents who need the flu shots the most but live on a budget,” among others.

    “Our hope is that this availability and no cost increases the number of people getting a flu shot,” Fout said via email. “The more people who get the flu shot, the less likely we will have flu hospitalizations, further stressing our healthcare system and our hard working, but exhausted healthcare workers.”

    The UC is now also mandating flu vaccines for employees and students.

    “The more shots we get out there, the better,” a UC Davis employee said in a video by ABC10.

    The CDC also published a video in Sept. 2020, discussing the importance of getting a flu shot.

    “The more people vaccinated, the more people protected,” the video narrator said. “Get your flu vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

    In addition to the flu shots, a certain number of first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will also be provided at the locations of the flu shot clinics. The Yolo County press release also explains how the flu shot clinics operate, in terms of appointments.

    “All sites will be walk up sites, with some indoor locations,” the press release reads. “Appointments are not required but recommended and can be made by calling (530) 666-8552.”

    Fout explained that appointments are encouraged however.

    “We encourage appointments, but walk ups are always welcome,” Fout said via email. “The only exception was the Davis Senior Center, as they specifically requested appointments to better manage the traffic flow in a small space.”

    In addition to the flu shot clinics, people can also get flu shots at pharmacies like Rite Aid and CVS, as well as on campus.

    The press release also shares common symptoms of the flu, such as a fever, as well as ways to help prevent it. Ultimately, Fout explained that the flu shots will not only help prevent the flu, but also the onset of a double pandemic.

    “We avoided a double pandemic last year, as many people were taking every precaution to prevent COVID and flu and restrictions were in place,” Fout said via email. “This year, a double pandemic is a very real possibility, and we want to prevent the increased burden on our healthcare system, that is already struggling under the weight of the COVID pandemic.”

Written by: Shraddha Jhingan — city@theaggie.org

The city council is planning to review the closure while local business owners weigh in

By RACHEL SHEY — city@theaggie.org

    On Sept. 24, The Artery co-owner and artist Adele Shaw posted an open letter on the Davisite, expressing dismay over the continued closure on G Street.  

    “A permanent closure of the street will likely cause the death of many of the non-restaurant businesses on G Street,” the letter reads. “The city issued TUP’s [Temporary Use Permits] during “emergency” times but they’ve created another emergency all together- an inequitable restaurant takeover on G Street. It may look like a party when you’re picking up a pizza or having a beer, but it’s not an equitable, harmonious party.”  

    In the letter, Shaw described the closure as “a hastily planned and poorly executed response to the Pandemic that only addresses outdoor food service: mainly to the benefit of a few chain-run businesses and to the detriment of the locally-owned majority of the businesses affected by the street closure.”  

    According to Shaw, the closure has eliminated parking spots, which creates parking issues in the surrounding area, and the barricades are unsightly to residents and merchants.

    Others, such as Davis Vanguard Executive Editor David Greenwald, hope that the G Street closure becomes permanent.  

    “Indoor dining is back open, but, as someone who works on that block, I can tell you that the outdoor eating is filled most days,” Greenwald wrote for the Davis Vanguard. “You see people outside on the street in that area all of the time—and people are around and able to safely congregate in public outdoor spaces.”

    Greenwald believes that G Street has been improved by the closure and would now be “very dead” if it were not for the outdoor seating.  

    “The way G Street was before was unkempt,” Greenwald wrote. “Homeless people and debris next to the parking lot. Homeless people and their belongings in the doorways of closed-off businesses.”

    Greenwald also said that G Street was “never a major road.”

    “In fact, I would argue that it was ill-suited as arterial,” Greenwald wrote. “One of the major problems is that it narrowed at the parking garage, which created all sorts of traffic problems. There were always vehicles backing out of parking spots. At midday the delivery trucks would partially block the street.”

    City councilman Dan Carson assured that the public would be allowed to contribute their opinions on any decision.  

“In the past, meaning a couple of months ago, members of the City Bicycle Transportation and Street Safety commission weighed in wanting us to make the changes at G Street permanent,” Carson said. “Our normal process is that once city staff has a recommendation for us, they’ll bring it to city council as an agendized matter, and we’ll let the public weigh in, including those with businesses as well as others in the community.” 

Carson explained that the council plans on reconsidering the closure again very soon.  

“We’d always planned to periodically review the arrangements we made when COVID-19 hit hard, to close or restrict certain streets to traffic, and we will be doing that again soon,” Carson said. “In particular, the city of Davis asked the Davis Downtown Business Association to talk to its membership, which includes retailers as well as restaurants, to see what they think should be done.”  

The city is also trying to solve the problems that people have complained about, according to Carson.  

“We are doing some things to address some of the underlying issues we heard about,” Carson said. “So for example, there was concern that downtown needed to be cleaned up, and we’ve actually been making considerable effort lately to power wash places and clean up trash.  The city council adopted collectively a new set of goals for the next two year cycle. We’ve heard a lot about trash, not just in downtown, so we directed our city staff that we wanted to make it a priority to spruce up our downtown, to make it a more attractive place.”

Written by: Rachel Shey — city@theaggie.org

Yolo County resolution and organizations raise awareness for domestic violence

By YAN YAN HUSTIS HAYES — city@theaggie.org

On Oct. 12, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors signed a draft to proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The District Attorney (DA)’s office will also host an office-wide clothing drive to benefit Empower Yolo. 

Yolo County DA Violence Against Women Act advocate Dessi Munoz explained that this most recent resolution is a direct result of the Victims Services program. 

“The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office Victim Services Program has been raising awareness and educating the community in regards to domestic violence for over 13 years,” Munoz said via email. “One of the ways we have been raising awareness is by submitting a resolution to the Board of Supervisors annually.” 

The clothing drive is an important resource for survivors who have to leave domestic violence situations, according to Munoz. 

“Sometimes when a survivor has to leave a domestic violence relationship, they leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” Munoz said. “Empower Yolo has a clothing closet where survivors can go to obtain clothing for themselves and their children’s shoes and personal hygiene items. 

Munoz explained that community work is important to the Yolo County DA’s office as it supports, develops and implements prevention strategies that target change in society. 

“Being out in the community gives us the opportunity to educate underserved communities about the criminal justice process so they can have a better understanding of the system,” Munoz said. “This can lead to victims reporting their abuse to law enforcement and therefore, getting help or intervention in their current situation, which is ultimately what we are hoping for.” 

Munoz recommends that Yolo County residents who want to get involved should look to programs like Hear Us Yolo.

“[Hear Us Yolo] was created with the District Attorney Office to help victims and survivors come together to educate the public about victimization and victim service resources,” Munoz said. “It provides victims of crime to have the opportunity to become participants and members of Hear Us Yolo and having their voices heard.” 

Empower Yolo Associate Director Celia Alveraz explained that survivors can come to the resource center in Downtown Davis and identified UC Davis CARE as a good student-geared program.  

“Empower Yolo provides free counseling services, support groups, legal advocacy, housing advocacy, peer counseling and more to all survivors,” Alveraz said via email. “Additional resources for UC Davis students can be found by contacting the UC Davis CARE program to be connected to a confidential advocate.”

My Sister’s House Executive Director Nilda Valamores explained that the Sacramento-based nonprofit has been helping victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking for over 20 years. 

“Our mission is to serve Asian and Pacific Islander and other underserved women and children impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking,” Valamores said via email. “[We] provide a culturally appropriate and responsive safe haven, job training, and community services, legal services, counseling and job training and support.”

Valamores stressed that culturally responsive services are critical to help begin the healing and rebuilding process.   

“Because culture often contributes to the impact of domestic violence, it must also be included in the healing part,” Valamores said. “Quality culturally responsive services reflect everything from the outreach to the intervention to the evaluation.” 

Many services are designed to support this community, although My Sister’s House helps all communities, according to Valamores. 

“Our outreach is focused on the Asian/Pacific Islander community; we make extra efforts to have bi-lingual Asian/Pacific Islanders available to answer our 24/7 helpline,” Valamores said. “Our shelter is uniquely designed for Asian/Pacific Islanders, reflecting everything from size, to decoration, food, and staffing, and our programs recognize the needs of Asian/Pacific Islanders.” 

Valamores advised those who may be experiencing domestic violence to remove themselves from the situation. 

“If you don’t, it results in long term emotional, physical and financial stress and trauma for yourself and your children,” Valamores said. “Take all threats seriously. 

If someone is experiencing or maybe experiencing domestic violence or cares about someone who is, they should come to My Sister’s House events, like our Run for a Safe Haven, or call our 24/7 hour help line.” 

A big misconception about domestic violence is that it only affects certain people, said Valamores. 

“Domestic violence affects at least one of every four women, not to mention their children,” Valamores said. “This is a huge public issue. It affects and involves people of all ethnicities, income, education levels.” 

Written by: Yan Yan Hustis Hayes — city@theaggie.org