US polls: Won't vote, some Americans say

Washington - A San Diego native, who identified herself as 'Starr', said that in her view there was no viable option for her in the polls on Tuesday.

Faced with a choice between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, some Americans are turning their backs on the electoral process entirely and say they won't vote at all. 
On Saturday, for example, various disparate groups descended on Lafayette Square, across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. The varied groups, however, had one thing in common: they won't be voting come Tuesday morning. 
Among the events that took place on Saturday was the "Black Self-Determination Convention" organized by the "Black is Back" coalition. Members of the group - which include family members of young African-Americans killed by police - say that neither candidate has their interests at heart. 
A San Diego native, who identified herself as 'Starr', said that in her view there was no viable option for her in the polls on Tuesday. 
"These candidates will do zero for anybody," she told Khaleej Times. "We know that whether one white candidate or another white candidate gets elected, things are not going to change for black Americans." 
Also on hand in Washington on Saturday were members of Anonymous, who took to the streets to protest the government, as well as the banking and pharmaceutical sectors.  
"Voting is a waste of time," activist Jeremy Hudson said. "The candidates both represent corporate interests and are in this for themselves. They represent the same political class."
"There isn't any choice at all. On one hand you have the guy from the Apprentice," he added, referring to a popular TV show of which Donald Trump was the host. "On the other hand, you have someone who has lied, consistently, for much of her career." 
Hudson's comments were echoed by a local woman, Shannon Walker.
"I just can't trust these two candidates, so I won't," she said. "I know many people will say I've wasted or thrown my vote away, but I just can't." 
In the previous election in 2012, only 57.5 percent of Americans turned out to vote, down from 62.3 percent in 2008, according to Bipartisan Policy Center. Turnout in 2012 was lower in all six of 50 American states than it was in 2008. 
bernd@khaleejtimes.com

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