During this year’s midterm elections, Korean American voters cast their ballots for “change” with one voice, regardless of their supporting party or political orientation.
Voters strongly desired that their preferred candidates swiftly resolve livelihood issues directly connected to daily life, such as soaring living costs, rising gas prices, and growing public safety concerns. Continuous pointing out the need for a change in California’s politics, which has long been dominated by the Democratic Party, was accompanied by a high level of caution regarding radical policies and candidates.
At 11 a.m. on the 3rd, the area in front of the polling station set up at the Anderson Munger Family YMCA in Koreatown, Los Angeles, was crowded with voters trying to cast their ballots. The waiting line extended far outside the building to the end of the block.
Yoon Myung-ok, 72, met at the polling station, confessed, “Until three years ago, I was a Democratic supporter.” Yoon said, “It seems like the Democratic Party is heading in the wrong direction, so this time I voted for Republican candidate Steve Hilton. Since nothing has improved in California during Governor Newsom’s tenure, it is time to give a Republican candidate a chance.”
Voices urging change also erupted in the Los Angeles mayoral election.
Lee Jung, 67, met at the JoongAng Ilbo headquarters polling station, said, “In this LA mayoral election, I cast my ballot for Raman. Mayor Bass has failed to properly implement major campaign promises, such as resolving the homeless crisis, which she promised upon taking office.”
On the other hand, Peter Jung, 58, met at the JoongAng Lutheran Church polling station, said, “Candidate Raman’s inclination seems too radical to be helpful for city administration. Replacing the mayor abruptly at a time when the Olympics are fast approaching is also a risk factor.”
This election also featured Proposition 39 on the ballot, which would mandate carrying identification (ID) to vote.
Lee Ye-chan, 36, a public school teacher in Koreatown, pointed out, “Voting is both a right and a duty of a citizen, but proceeding without even verifying identification does not make sense.”
Voters also voiced their convictions that candidates should not be blindly supported simply because they are of Korean descent.
Park Sang-gil, 89, revealed that he did not vote for Jane Kim, candidate for Insurance Commissioner, who ran for an elected office in the California government for the first time as a Korean American.
Park explained, “I judged that no matter how much of a Korean American candidate she is, an individual with extreme political inclinations does not fit the already-skewed sentiment of California.”
Park Seung-woo, 32, also said, “Although she made a pledge to create insurance for everyone, won’t it ultimately be covered by residents’ taxes? Since it looks like the tax burden will increase, I did not choose candidate Kim.”
Korean American voters also expressed concerns regarding Proposition 40, the so-called ‘billionaire tax.’
Joshua Kim, 43, who operates a barbecue restaurant, expressed concern, saying, “Taxation on high-income earners in California is already quite excessive. While I understand the intent to secure tax revenue, if wealthy individuals leave the state because of this ballot measure, low-income and middle-class residents will end up shouldering that tax burden.”
