Voters gather at Lucky Tigre to decode ballots

Lucky Tigre, a Filipino-American restaurant in Old West Tampa, opened its doors on Thursday for a voter education event organized by the Tampa Hub of Global Shapers. The gathering, titled Party at the Polls, brought residents together to review candidates and ballot measures. Organizers selected the location because it sits within walking distance of an early voting site. The event is part of the group’s Shape the Vote initiative, which aims to increase participation and help people make informed choices.

Kat Tan, the Impact Officer for the Tampa Hub of Global Shapers, described the atmosphere as a space for residents to share their views on the election. During the evening, Tan spoke with a man who had skipped the first election he was eligible to vote in. He later decided to cast a ballot to support his community rather than for personal gain. Tan noted that his motivation resonated with her as a young woman of color. “And so he votes for what’s best for his people, maybe not necessarily for himself,” Tan said. “And that really stuck with me, especially being a young woman minority nowadays.”

Volunteers at the event assisted voters in interpreting complex ballot language. Kayla McClymont, a Global Shapers volunteer, explained that many residents found the written amendments difficult to parse before heading to the polls. “A lot of the time, these ballots are written in a way where it’s very difficult to understand what you’re looking at,” McClymont said. She emphasized the need for younger voters to engage on issues like education and student loans. “Even if we disagree on the issues, it’s great to be able to spark debate and discuss more and understand each other’s perspectives,” she said.

Julie Feliciano, the owner of Lucky Tigre, said hosting the event allowed the business to support the neighborhood where it operates. She wanted to encourage community members to use their voice in the election. “We wanted to encourage other people in the community to use their voice, because every vote does matter,” Feliciano said. She hopes that seeing neighbors vote will inspire others to participate as well.

Early voting in Hillsborough County continues through Sunday, Nov. 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Registered voters may cast their ballots at any early voting site in the county during that window. On Election Day, Nov. 3, voters must go to their assigned polling place.