LONG BEACH, Calif. – The California Army National Guard’s 224th Sustainment Brigade opened its doors this morning as a polling place for the final day of the 2016 presidential primary election cycle. Voting opened at the unit’s Long Beach headquarters at 7:00 a.m. and will continue through 8:00 p.m.
As polling opened, citizen soldiers came to let their voices be heard in an election that will ultimately determine who will become their next Commander in Chief.
Spc. Anel Parra, a driver for the brigade’s command team, said she was grateful for the opportunity to cast her ballot at her place of duty without having to rush to another polling location at the end of her workday.
“Every vote counts,” said Parra. “We all have a voice and an opportunity to see change, but we have to exercise our right and vote.”
Staff Sgt. Lance Lowe, the brigade’s paralegal specialist, explained that his own inalienable right to cast his ballot was not only a privilege but an obligation.
“My vote is important and a privilege that others have died for,” he said. “I want to make sure my voice is heard, as well as theirs.”
The Long Beach armory is located at 2200 Redondo Avenue, where polls will remain open until 8:00 p.m. tonight. More information on today’s election and additional polling locations throughout Los Angeles County is available at LAvote.net.