Buena Vista library brings the party for Election Day in Burbank

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Shay Gipson, 46 of Burbank, votes at the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Danielle Mireles, 27 of Burbank, casts her ballot at the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Mark Sugar, left, his wife Denise and daughter Roxanne grab a large I Voted sign for a selfie outside the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. The table was provided by Stratiscope for their Party at the Polls event. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Jessica Collette of Burbank grabbed an ice cream for her 20-month old son Kingston Collette outside the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. A table providing free food and ice cream was provided by Stratiscope for their Party at the Polls event. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Gabriel Rodriguez, 29, and his mother Gloria Rodriguez pose for a photo after voting at the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Liuba Randolph, 38 of Burbank, wears her I Voted sticker after casting her ballot at the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Zack Howell, Dina Howell and Emerson Howell, holding USA flag, pose for a photo with a large I Voted sign outside the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. The table was provided by Stratiscope for their Party at the Polls event. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Librarians Anarda Williams, from left, Donna Bandiera and Ashley Salvano shows off their tea cakes and ice cream they were given outside the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. The table with free food and ice cream was provided by Stratiscope for their Party at the Polls event. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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While waiting for a friend to vote, Mitza Gonzalez, 31 of Glendale, takes a selfie outside at the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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After voting, Amanda Reinhold, 27 of Burbank, looks over her I Voted sticker outside the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Because of a large crowd of voters, Katie, 28 (no last name provided), waited a few minutes to cast her ballot, at the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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A voter casts his ballot at the Buena Vista Library polling location in Burbank on Tuesday, Nov, 6, 2018. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

By Anthony Clark Carpio

Nov. 6, 2018 5:35 PM PT

Burbank voters on Tuesday were greeted with free pins, empanadas and ice cream in celebration of the democratic process.

Local businessman John Bwarie teamed up with the nonprofit Civic Nation to host a voting party at the Buena Vista Branch Library, which is a polling place for several voters in the city.

Bwarie said he wanted to make voting more fun and to commemorate democracy with those who did — or didn’t — vote.

“There’s four precincts that come vote here, so what better way to support and encourage folks to celebrate election day,” he said.

“We’re not rewarding people for voting. Anybody that comes by today can participate. It’s just a way to make voting fun,” he added.

Councilman Jess Talamantes visited a few polling places in the morning, including the Buena Vista Library, and said he was happy to see so many voters getting involved in the process.

Regardless of which side of the political spectrum people lean toward, the councilman said every person should vote and be a part of making important election decisions.

“Every vote counts. Don’t tell yourself that you’re just one vote and that it doesn’t matter,” Talamantes said.

“Every year, there’s been [items] decided on a matter of less than 100 votes,” he added. “I encourage everyone to come out. Your vote counts just as much as the next person’s.”

Burbank resident Kate Springthrope was one of the many who voted at the Buena Vista Library.

She said voting during this midterm election is crucial because of what’s at stake, especially with so many state races and measures on the ballot.

She noted that California voters are picking a new governor, lieutenant governor, state secretary and controller, among other positions.

Springthorpe said these are all elected officials who will have some kind of impact on almost every person in the state.

“These are things that affect us directly,” she said.

Springthorpe added that, although it’s a rather divisive time in the United States, she thinks the country will be unified as long as people continue to participate in the democratic process.

“Even though it’s a challenging time right now, and we’re all fighting each other, we’re going to come together,” she said. “There might be some arguments, but we’re going to come together.”

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio