Voters turnout for midterms in record numbers

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Following the Nov. 6 midterm election, it seems clear that the country is still a nation divided – but one that is willing to vote.

By the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Time Magazine had already called this election cycle “historic” for its high voter turnout.

Following the Nov. 6 midterm election, it seems clear that the country is still a nation divided – but one that is willing to vote.

By the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Time Magazine had already called this election cycle “historic” for its high voter turnout.

The tide began in the primaries this June. During the 2014 midterms, only one-in-four Californians went to the polls, but this year, voter turnout in California for the primaries averaged 37 percent. It was the highest turnout since 1998, breaking the trend of steadily declining voter participation.

This week, in Sacramento, California, voters turned out in record numbers, leading to a two-hour wait for those intending to cast a ballot at the polls. The enthusiasm in Sacramento mirrors much of the nation.

In East County, voters predominantly favored incumbants, re-electing Bill Wells as mayor of El Cajon and Mark Arapostathis, who ran unopposed, as mayor of La Mesa.

Gary Kendrick took the El Cajon city council seat from Ben Kalasho with 85 percent of the vote. According to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, after 87.5 percent of the precincts had been reported, Kalasho only had 621 votes. Kendrick had 3,408.

In Santee, Rob McNelis, Ronn Hall and Laura Koval were elected to city council.

Incumbant Bill Baber and new-comer Akilah Weber took the city council seats of La Mesa with 26 and 27 percent of the vote respectively.

Both Lemon Grove city councilmembers Jennifer Mendoza and Jerry Jones will keep their seats.

Rep. Duncan Hunter Jr. (R-Alpine) will keep his place in Congress, despite facing allegations of embezzling campaign funds early this year, with a court date set for Nov. 22.