Richmondites took to polling stations Monday as the Richmond News sampled some of their intentions throughout the day.
Whether their vote went blue, green, red or orange, many voters made it clear that it was a right and a duty to vote.
At Homma elementary school, Gordon Dalglish said it was his “civic and national duty” to vote. He said he voted against the Conservatives, but changed his vote from 2011.
“If we want change there is no use in staring at four walls and doing nothing,” said Dalglish, who was amongst a small sample of apparent strategic voters.
Suisheng Tang voted for the Conservatives at Spul’u’kwuks elementary school in Terra Nova.
“It’s our obligation as a citizen. I want the future to be bright” said Tang, who said trust was a major factor for her this election.
Tang also said she wants a “country that respects immigrants,” given that Canada was built on immigration.
Further east, at Peace Mennonite Church, Mia Li told the News there were “not many choices,” however it was her responsibility to vote.
Li checked the Liberal box, stating that a decade of Stephen Harper was enough and that she “wanted a change.”
Li said she liked the fact Liberal leader Justin Trudeau was younger, but still hoped he would reverse his decision to legalize marijuana.
Throughout the afternoon there appeared to be far more older adults and seniors voting, however, one youth voter, 18 year-old Ben Teplitsky, turned up to his first federal poll at Homma.
“I feel as a Canadian citizen it’s important to vote and I should practise my right,” said the Liberal supporter, who thought Trudeau cared more about youth issues.
For some, international issues were of primary concern.
Frank Redwood voted in Steveston-Richmond East and based his vote on Harper’s stated commitments to Israeli sovereignty.
“He’s the only one who stands behind Israel,” said Redmond, who, as a First Nations person, said he voted for Harper, despite concerns over the lack of potable drinking water on First Nations reserves.
A young Chinese-Canadian man, who didn’t want to be named, said he considered the NDP’s platform on Syrian refugees.
But another big factor for him was the New Democrats’ focus on small business incentives, as he said he expects to open a business soon.
The News only spoke to two NDP supporters, both of whom were younger voters, including one first-time voter, Daina Freigang.
One man, a senior Chinese-Canadian who voted at Spul’u’kwuks, said moral and ethical issues — such as marijuana reforms, same-sex marriage and assisted suicide — swayed him to vote Conservative.
Some were not convinced by Harper’s assertion that he was the best choice for the economy. “I want to see the economy grow,” said Liberal voter Rodolfo Rivera.
Family matters were another issue on tap for Richmondites.
One Chinese-Canadian family of four in east Richmond was split, with the younger couple switching to the Liberals while the parents stayed with the Conservatives.
The younger man said the Liberals’ child tax benefits swayed his vote.
