Older voters encourage youth to ‘come out’ and vote

Its election day here in Yuma and voters have been out to the polls since early in the morning. In this primary election, voters will get to elect three new candidates for the Yuma City Council. Currently, there are 6 candidates hoping that they will be elected to those three seats.

Even though the local election is for electing members of the Yuma City Council, turn out to vote is usually low. One voter that we spoke with, who identified himself as Bill, wanted to encourage the younger crowd to get out and vote especially in times when younger individuals want to see much change.

“If you want stuff that you want to be done in your community, the younger vote needs to come out [and vote]”

Two of the candidates, Michael Shelton and Edward Thomas are seeking re-election to their seats in the city council. The other four candidates Michael Scarborough, Ema Lea Shoop, Chris Morris and Jason Bradley are all hopefuls to one of those three seats. Many of these candidates’ platforms range from reducing spending in the city to making an attempt at reducing the city deficit as well as continuing the growth of the Yuma.

You can cast your vote at the following locations:

* Martin Luther King Jr. Neighborhood Center
* 300 S 13th Dr.
* Yuma Civic Center
* 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive
* Yuma Police Department substation
* 6390 E. 26th St.

Voters are asked to bring a photo I.D., but they do not have one the City of Yuma said you can bring alternatives.
* Utility bill
* Bank or credit union statement
* Arizona vehicle registration or vehicle insurance card.
* Indian census card, tribal enrollment card or other forms of tribal identification.
* Property tax statement
* Voter registration card
* U.S. federal, state or local government-issued identification
* Any other official election material mailing bearing the voter’s name and address. However, you’ll need at least any of these two items to be able to cast your vote.

The City of Yuma also has drop-off locations set up around the city if you were not able to mail in an early ballot at the Yuma Police Station and the Yuma County Recorder’s Office. Polls close at 7 pm.