Influx of new voters leans Precinct 463 to the left By Kelly Kennedy, Special to the Rocky Mountain News November 3, 2004 Aurora's Precinct 463 - traditionally a bellwether for how Colorado will vote - appears to have changed its tune. The precinct usually votes Republican, but a huge influx of ethnically diverse, first-time voters is making it lean Democratic. At Village East Elementary School, children translated for parents who couldn't speak English. First-time voters asked questions about the machines. And Dora Hamilton, election judge, made sure every qualified voter cast a ballot. "I think in this one, people seem to be just interested in voting for the president," Hamilton said. "I think what they're actually looking for is a change, and the small print doesn't matter." David Romero, a schoolteacher, voted for George Bush, but said he sees the precinct favoring Kerry because of the newly registered voters. "We have lots of minority residents, and they tend to vote Democrat," he said. "If the whole state registered, you'd see a whole different swing to things." Zahra Khazi, who moved to the United States from Afghanistan 14 years ago, said 15 of her relatives died fighting the Taliban. She voted for the first time Tuesday. "After September 11th, it made me think about the world," she said. "Now, I love America, but I love all innocent people. Kerry - I hear he doesn't like to kill other people." Zoya Rafailova moved to the United States from Russia 10 years ago. She also voted for the first time, for Kerry, and then held forth on why Americans should vote. "It's important for everybody, for all to vote," she said. "We care about the future of our children." Christopher Boyd, a Metro State student, voted because his tuition has gone up 19 percent over the past two years and because he wants a new president. "I felt the war on Iraq was a little rushed," he said. "I think this election is going to be a big one. I think this election is going to affect me personally for the next four years." Behind him, Hamilton helped a vision- and hearing-impaired man in a voting booth. "You need lights in here," the man yelled. "I can't see." "Are you doing all right in there?" Hamilton said. "This is what happens when people are too stubborn to accept assistance." Semra Gebre-Michael, a University of Colorado at Denver student and first-time voter, voiced her disapproval of the war. "I just want to get Bush out of there," she said. David Jansen, a Republican poll watcher, said he expected Precinct 463 to vote for Kerry, though he said he voted for Bush. The new voters are making the difference, he said. In front of him, Hamilton worked with two families with at least one non-English speaker in each. "I like being able to direct people in the right thing to do. Sometimes we all need some guidance."