Transients on Skid Row Will Get a Voice at the Ballot Box

In the 20 years that Joann Davis has lived on Skid Row, she says she has neither voted in any election nor registered to do so. But next month Davis plans to vote, if she can figure out just one thing.

“I don’t mean to sound stupid; I don’t mean to sound illiterate,” she said. “But just what is the difference between a Democrat and a Republican?”

This and other perennially befuddling election-year questions were bandied about Saturday as a housing group and the county registrar-recorder’s office sponsored the first voter-registration drive in Skid Row that officials could recall.

By early afternoon, more than 40 Skid Row residents had signed up inside the county’s mobile van at San Julian Park.

One, who identified himself only as Good-Time Charlie, said he is a longtime Democrat and regular voter.

“I believe if you want to do something, you’ve got to act--do it.” said Charlie, 58. “If you talk and don’t vote, huh! Voting is the power.”

Scott Kutner, a spokesman for the Single Room Occupancy Housing Corp. that sponsored the drive, said the housing corporation hoped to bolster community spirit by getting out the vote. The last day to register for the Nov. 4 election is Monday.

A study by the housing corporation showed that only 1,100 people were registered in the two precincts bordered by Los Angeles and Alameda streets between 3rd and 6th streets, Kutner said, but well over 4,000 people live there.

While most who signed up admitted having little knowledge of most of the issues on the November ballot, one race was foremost in their minds--the gubernatorial struggle between incumbent Gov. George Deukmejian and Mayor Tom Bradley.

In fact, if those who registered Saturday are any indicator of the neighborhood’s sentiments, Skid Row is a Democratic mini-stronghold, and Bradley is its choice for governor.

Of the first 30 people who registered, none planned to vote for Deukmejian. A handful was undecided, and the rest were solidly behind the mayor.

“I have to vote for the man, Mayor Bradley,” said Kim Matthews, 29, an unemployed draftsman who lives at Transition House, a nonprofit group that houses people while they look for work. “I have to support him because he made this possible. This Skid Row is a haven for transients who are here to get another chance.”

“The Duke’s all right, but he needs a vacation,” said Alvin Hoskins, 32, who moved to Skid Row six months ago when he lost his job as an offset printer. “Bradley’s gonna win. This time he’s got to. God Bless him. I hope he makes it.”

Joel Powell, 34, still undecided, said he does not trust politicians, including Bradley, to do what they promise once they are elected.

“Bradley’s been here this long, and still nothing works for the poor people in this town,” said Powell, “so I won’t decide until I get to the polls.”

Kutner said the housing corporation is not backing any candidate or issue, but is simply asking that residents vote. And many, drawn to the event by the booming tunes of a rock band, said they will indeed vote now that they are registered.

James Small, 39, a former janitor, said he has not voted in eight years. On Saturday he registered Republican, even though he is not sure how he will vote.

“But let me tell you why I’m going to vote,” Small said. “The person who votes has status. It makes me feel like I’m somebody. And down here, you need a little of that.”