First presidential debate inspires Norwalk residents to register to vote

NORWALK – The Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters on Tuesday held a voter registration event on the lawn adjacent its Norwalk office on Imperial Boulevard.

Brenda Duran, public information officer for the Registrar of Voters said, "The purpose of the day’s event was to celebrate National Voter Registration Day and to encourage people to register before the Oct. 24 deadline for the Nov. 8 general election."

Norwalk resident Phillip Cazares hasn't voted in 20 years, but that's all about to change. (Photo: Raul Samaniego)

"We’ve had 200 to 300 people come out today to register," she said.

Booths were set up to show off the newest voting technology, recruit potential volunteers to work the polls, describe accommodations made for voters with special needs, and plenty of new voter registration applications for those who wished to newly register or update their current status.

Plenty of food was available from mobile kitchens parked and providing attendees with various selections.

Music was provided by a local radio station and the media was present in numbers with cameras, microphones and video recorders making their way down the row of canopies and tables.

Sitting in the shade under a tree and filling out a voter registration application, Norwalk resident Phillip Cazares said, "I haven’t voted for 20 years."

Mr. Cazares had previously lived in Rosemead and hadn’t changed his registration address for two decades.

Having watched the presidential debate on Monday evening, Cazares continued: "I saw how belligerent Donald Trump was towards [Hillary] Clinton, and decided to come down today and register."

According to Ms. Duran, "As long as the application is in our office or arrives with a postmark no later than Oct. 24, you will be allowed to vote."

Regarding volunteering for the election, Duran said, "We are actively recruiting for poll workers for the general election."

While not an employee, poll workers deemed clerks receive up to a $105.00 stipend and a precinct inspector can receive up to $175.00 for his or her efforts.

"Check our website at www.lavote.net for all the details," Duran said. "And remember to vote Nov. 8."