‘It’s my civic duty, but I’m exhausted’: Berkeley voters cast their ballots

"Vote here today" sign in front of park background with playground equipment Outside the Berkeley Youth Alternatives vote center near Strawberry Creek Park Tuesday morning. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside

Berkeley voters had a largely hopeful outlook on this cloudy Tuesday morning as they hit the polls to vote in the primary election.

The race for California governor was the big-ticket attraction. It’s been a chaotic campaign, and there is no clear leader among candidates vying to advance in the race to succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. About 60 candidates are on Tuesday’s ballot, including Democrats Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general and U.S. health secretary; Tom Steyer, a billionaire climate activist; Katie Porter, a former member of Congress; and Republicans Steve Hilton, a conservative commentator, and Chad Bianco, sheriff of Riverside County.

With no Berkeley races on the ballot, the most prominent local race is for Alameda County district attorney. Appointed DA Ursula Jones Dickson, a former judge and deputy prosecutor, is being challenged by her predecessor Pamela Price — a reformist civil rights attorney recalled in 2024 — and Gopal Krishan, a family law attorney.

Berkeleyside spoke with four local residents outside the Berkeley Youth Alternatives vote center near Strawberry Creek Park. Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

Denisia Wash, former elementary school and kindergarten teacher

Denisia Wash and her dog, Tucker, outside the vote center near Strawberry Creek Park on Thursday. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside

Why did you vote for Xavier Becerra for governor?

I was a teacher, so both of my unions backed Steyer. I was going to, but then in my gut I was like, “You know what? I just want to do the tried and true.” I think he’s earned the right.

Why did you vote for Ursula Jones Dickson for district attorney?

I read her bio, and I just liked it. I was going to do Pamela Price, but I don’t know why she was recalled. And I’m not saying that that’s why, but I think Dickson has been doing fine.

How do you feel about voting?

Everyone needs to vote. I really feel good when I do it. I think as an educator, going through teaching and everything, you’re trying to fortify kids into having a say. Building their confidence, and one of the ways of having a say when you’re frustrated is to vote.

Garrick Smalley, stained glass artist

Garrick Smalley, a stained glass artist. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside

Why did you vote for Katie Porter for governor?

I’ve seen her hold people to account. And I’m really hoping she will do that with the current makeup that is in the California [Legislature]. Because there’s a few people in there that are just spending money they don’t need to spend.

Generally, I don’t try to pick who I think will win. I try to pick who I prefer…If I know anything about the person and they’re an incumbent, then the next person I choose, if I don’t like what they’ve done, is a third party like Green or Peace and Freedom or something like that.

How do you feel about voting?

Happy, very much so. I do know that I’m the only one in my family who voted for Katie. It feels a little strange.

Kevin Moseby, sociologist

Kevin Moseby, a sociologist, after casting his vote on Tuesday. Credit: Hope Muñoz / Berkeleyside

Why did you vote for Katie Porter for governor?

I feel like she has had a career of doing good work that was about helping those who are screwed over by housing, policy, insurance, things like that. She speaks very well. Her research, her life, and her experiences, I feel like they have prepared her to do a good job. I like her progressive stances on issues like free education, free community college, or her plan to make the state have its own one-party health insurance.

I think a lot of the most progressive candidates are all similar in terms of their policy, but I think I trust her more to do the work to get it done. Just who I am as a person, I do not trust male ambition. I’m just frustrated. There are [always] all these reasons not to vote for the women, no matter how great they would be at the job or their experience in the world. I feel like we often are just geared away from them, even though they could be the most qualified person in the field.

Why did you vote for Pamela Price for district attorney?

I think this new person who was appointed is more the hardline traditional prosecutor, which, for generations, the Democrats were tough on crime because that’s how they could get votes away from the Republicans, who were the tough-on-crime people. But tough-on-crime has met the growth of mass incarceration and the continuing criminalization of poverty, racialized poverty. I think Price has her life experience and the work she’s done.

Shannon Allen, National Environmental Policy Act compliance manager

Shannon Allen after voting. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside

Why did you vote for Katie Porter for governor?

I think she’s got a great qualification, great energy. But I do worry that I’m kind of throwing my vote away. I think she’s less likely to get it, but I’m still voting. I am voting by conscience.

How do you feel about voting?

I feel like voting is very important and it is certainly my civic duty, but I feel exhausted by what’s going on in the world and by the headlines.

How do you decide who to vote for?

For the governor’s race, there’s a lot of information out there for the top five Democrats. I used the Ezra Klein housing interview, and then there were interviews from NPR that I found really useful for the other races. For races like the judges’ race, I rely on friends who work in that field.”

Voters can drop off their ballots at drop boxes stationed across Alameda County or cast a ballot in person at a vote center until 8 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

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