Politifest attendees gather at the University of San Diego. / Photo by Vito Di Stefano
Since 2011, Voice of San Diego has hosted Politifest, a public affairs summit focused on the issues and candidates on the November ballot. It’s our effort to provide San Diegans with the tools they need to make educated decisions on Election Day.
Politicians from all over the region stopped by Politifest, held this year at the University of San Diego, to answer tough questions and make their case as to why they should be elected. Folks had the opportunity to learn more about the biggest local topics. They listened to a fiery debate over the future of the Mission Valley stadium site, got immigration updates at a panel discussion and more.
Community groups also hosted their own sessions. High Tech High Chula Vista held a panel on Measure Q, the city’s cannabis tax, and the San Diego Deliberation Network hosted a discussion on the state’s housing crisis.
Here are some of the moments freelance photographer Vito Di Stefano captured during the event.
Voice of San Diego CEO Scott Lewis / Photo by Vito Di StefanoVoice of Our City Choir performs at Politifest. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoVoice of San Diego’s Scott Lewis talks with San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoA Politifest attendee reads the event program during a panel discussion. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoPolitifest volunteers help attendees register before the event begins. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoAttendees look over the event program. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoVoice of San Diego Director of Development Iris Magid speaks to a Politifest attendee. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoPolitifest attendees stop by community booths in between sessions. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoA scene from Voice of San Diego’s Politifest on Oct. 6, 2018 / Photo by Vito Di StefanoVoice of San Diego’s Scott Lewis moderates a debate on the future of the Mission Valley stadium site. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoVoice of San Diego’s Scott Lewis moderates a debate on the future of the Mission Valley stadium site. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoAttendees listen to a debate on the future of the Mission Valley stadium site. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoFrom left: Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez and Assemblyman Chad Mayes participate in a Politifest panel. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoAttendees learn about the state propositions that will appear on the November ballot. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoHuffPost hosts a Politifest panel on undocumented immigrants living in the Trump era. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoFrom left: Charly Norton and Joshua Wood participate in a rent control panel moderated by CALmatters CEO David Lesher. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoCandidates and attendees take part in a roundtable discussion at Politifest. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoA Politifest attendee participates in a game during a live taping of the VOSD Podcast. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoA scene from Voice of San Diego’s Politifest on Oct. 6, 2018 / Photo by Vito Di StefanoA 12-year-old audience member impressed everyone when she nearly mastered a game that relied on intimate knowledge of local politics stretching back decades. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoFrom left: Rep. Scott Peters, Assemblyman Todd Gloria and City Councilman Chris Cate appear on VOSD’s live podcast taping at Politifest. / Photo by Vito Di StefanoVoice of San Diego staff and volunteers at Politifest 2018 / Photo by Vito Di Stefano
