Election 2016: None came running

ESCONDIDO, CA. — Voting was brisk around Escondido, San Marcos and Valley Center polling stations in Tuesday’s general election, but with a caveat: Many voters weren’t happy to be there.

“I don’t know what will happen,” Do-Art  Shoe Repair Owner Lucia Capuano said of the presidential election, “but I wasn’t happy with both of them. We’ll just see how it goes.”

Capuano proudly wore her “I Voted” sticky even though she voted last week by mail, as did over one-third of San Diego County voters.

Voting at Andy Granger’s home turned polling station 455-270 in Southwest Escondido.

Michael Vu, San Diego County registrar of voters, said he anticipated between 72 to 77 percent of San Diego County voters would cast ballots when the shouting was over, sometime around 8 p.m. tonight.

For the record, Capuano voted for Hillary Clinton and for Patrick Malloy, a Democrat realtor in a tough fight or the 50th cCongressional District against incumbent Rep. Duncan Hunter.

Meanwhile, Andy Granger was at his Andy’s Barber Shop, and glad of it. His own home had been turned into a polling place for the fourth straight year. Poll workers got there around 5:30 a.m. and were expected to stay beyond 8 p.m. when the polls closed.

Geting to the poll.

At the barber shop, customers came and went speaking of the election, but in a surprising manner. “Everybody has an opinion, “ Granger said, “with 17 ballot provisions, there’s always something to talk about.”

However, nobody wanted to talk presidential election, probably just too hot to handle, although many were interested, and opposed to, Measure B, the countywide proposition to allow the construction of Lilac Hills Ranch in rural Bonsall-Valley Center-Escondido.

A lot of customers were talking about the city of San Diego hotel tax to raise funds for a stadium to keep the football Chargers in San Diego, because a lot of barber shop customers liked to talk sports, even if the ballot measure was confined to city voters.

Andy Granger steered clear of the storm at his home turned polling place by taking care of business at his barber ship.

“It’s probably easier to talk about that,” Granger said, “kind of like talking about the weather.”

Meanwhile at Granger’s home turned polling station 455-270 for the day near Westfield North County Mall, “Turnout is huge, a lot more than past years” precinct captain Lorri Baker said. “We had 10 to 15 people in line when we opened. Everybody is behaving wonderfully.”

The crew at Precinct 457-800, Escondido Community of Christ Church, 1140 Maple St., led by poll worker Cindy Resending, left.

At Precinct 457-800, Escondido Community of Christ Church, 1140 Maple St., voting was steady and moving swiftly. Poll worker Cindy Resendig said turnout “has been good,” with more voters showing up than in previous elections.

Maureen Muise at alter Ego Hair Studio Tuesday.

Maureen Muise wore her “I Voted” sticker at Alter Ego hair salon. “I voted earlier at Hidden Meadows and there was no line,” she said. “People all day long have been talking about a little bit of everything about the election. Everybody has an opinion.”

A few doors down at Artists’ Gallery, galley director Barbara Schmidt said “I’m going to vote later today.” When prompted several times about her thoughts she finally said, “It’s just exciting to vote,” although a dour expression said otherwise.

Not everyone, however, was into the grand election.

Denver Hanlin, outside Pounders, said he was;t voting because he was an anarchist.

For example, Blackjack, Granger’s pet parrot quieted from his usually loquacious demeanor to offer no comment on the election. The crowd at nearby Pounders, a longtime downtown Escondido watering hole, escaped the ballot with the bottle instead..

Andrew Mendez and Denvare Hanlin said there that they weren’t voting, although for different reasons.

Mendez was dissatisfied with the presidential choices. Hanlin, who termed himself an anarchist, was dissatisfied with elections generally.

As they sidled to the long bar, they sat with others thinking and drinking, two large TV sets blaring election coverage above them.

Updates to follow.

Blackjack, Granger’s pet parrot, stood guard outside the barber shop Tuesday, but declined comment on the election.

Precinct 457-800, Escondido Community of Christ Church, 1140 Maple St.

Scene inside Granger’s garage turned polling station.

Meanwhile, the Pounders crew seemed oblivious to election coverage blaring on TV sets above the long bar.