Orange County voters came out Tuesday to vote to elect their several new supervisors and a county treasurer, in addition to exercising their right to decide the outcome of many other statewide seats, such as who will be the next governor of California.

Tuesday's election ends months of campaigning and millions of dollars spent by interest groups to determine who will make the rules in the future. And the community of Santa Ana came out early to raise their voices through voting.

“I feel very happy that I already cast my vote; there was no wait, it was quick,” said Ana, a woman who went to the Jarome Park community center in the morning.

Although many of the elections held only determine who moves on to the runoff in November, candidates running for office in Orange County can win outright in the primary by surpassing a majority of votes cast.

And this year, Santa Ana residents are looking for candidates who will speak clearly about issues that some of them find important, such as immigration raids and the cost of living, which continues to rise significantly.

“I think the only thing we all want is for representatives not to complicate our lives,” said José as he left the McFadden School voting center in Santa Ana with his son. “Nowadays everything is very expensive, the cost of living keeps going up and we are tired; we not only want our voices to be heard, but also to see changes.”

Residents like Mario Roblero, who also attended the same voting center, said that too much has happened in the last year for the community not to go out and vote. For example, immigration operations significantly affected the community and the economy. With arrests often made with excessive force.

Among them, one of the cases is that of Narciso Barranco, a 48-year-old man who was violently detained by federal immigration agents in front of an IHOP in Santa Ana on June 21, 2025. As seen in a video that went viral, in which the agents pinned him to the ground, sprayed him with pepper spray and punched him repeatedly.

Or how after the June 6 raids, authorities responded to demonstrations that occurred in downtown Santa Ana, in which pepper spray and tear gas were used against protesters, and rubber bullets and “less lethal” ammunition were fired at them.

“At first I wasn't going to vote, but I said to myself: 'No, I have to vote; even though the future seems bleak and bleak, we have to make an effort to change it,'” said Roblero, who went to the voting center with his girlfriend. “We were protesting all last year and at the beginning of this year; it's exhausting, you feel like nothing is happening or changing, but still, voting is also part of that change, and the point is that you vote for what you think is best and then you hope that everything turns out well.”

At the Salgado Recreation Center, in Santa Ana, we realized that a large part of the people who were going to vote did so by depositing their ballots in the ballot boxes located outside the centers. There was the same feeling among Latino voters: many seemed tired, not physically, but mentally.

Asalia Vázquez, who attended the Salgado center after leaving work early, said she was glad she voted. She explained that, for her, it is not just about voting for a candidate who promotes changes; It goes beyond that.

"Who has shown more humanity? Because I think that right now we lack a lot," he said when speaking about the immigration situation. “I think it is important that everyone who can vote does so, that they study the candidates well and vote.”

Great participation

At another voting center in Santa Ana, at the Suavecito store location, people were also starting to arrive after 3 p.m. According to volunteers at the center, the number of residents who turned out came in waves, with most opting to vote in person.

Most voters point to affordability as a determining factor in their voting decision. Nearly 70% of Californians are concerned about rising gasoline prices and their ability to stretch their salaries, as most perceive their incomes are lagging behind inflation.

Additionally, 60% believe that US military action against Iran will harm their personal finances. For more than a year now, Californians have harbored a feeling of pessimism and unease regarding the economy; Today, a record number predicts difficult financial times ahead for the United States.

“I think a lot of us want someone who will stand with the people and show it, not just say it,” Jacky said. "And I feel really good about my vote; I think Bacerra has demonstrated a lot of great qualities, and I think we'll see some positive changes if he's elected."

For Orange County election results, visit https://ocvote.gov/.