Voters in the Nereta area turn out in force, with young people encouraged by school mock elections
On Saeima election day, polling stations in Mazzalve, Sproģi and Nereta saw steady turnout, and commission heads noticed many young voters. Some people had already decided in advance, while others were still weighing their choice.
On Saturday, Saeima election day, a reporter from the newspaper Staburags visited polling stations in the Nereta municipality area — Mazzalve, Sproģi and Nereta — to find out how voting was going and what voters thought.
Mazzalve: a steady stream of voters
Ligita Iubule, head of the Mazzalve polling station, says nobody was waiting at the door when it opened at 8 a.m., but activity soon picked up and did not subside during the conversation. The level of public engagement surprised her. Most voters are locals, with few visitors. There were few questions about ballots, though in the first days some people were unsure why the large envelopes were needed. The electronic system works well, although the internet connection occasionally stalls. Five people work at the station, and the vote count may not finish until about four or five on Sunday morning.
A young man named Jānis stressed that one should always vote: if you do not know whom to vote for, you most likely know whom not to vote for.
Sproģi: trust in politicians lost
Gunita Gorbačova, head of the Sproģi station, says voters arrive one after another, no long queues form, but there are hardly any quiet moments. Only three commission members work here, so extra people were requested for home visits to voters. In earlier days several dozen people had cast their votes in advance. One voter admitted she no longer believes the politicians of previous years and wants to see new people.
Nereta: families and young people
Inga Davidene, head of the Nereta station, says voters are coming actively, and at times all five booths are occupied. Twenty-one people signed up to vote at the Nereta care home. At the previous Saeima elections about 700 people voted here, and this time roughly half of that number had been reached at the time of the conversation. Many young people are among the voters.
Viktors said he cares about what parties offer young families. Nereta resident Lauris said his interest was boosted by a mock election at school; these are his second elections after last year's municipal vote.
The project is funded by the Media Support Fund from the Latvian state budget.
