93-year-old WWII veteran votes for the first time in a presidential election

(FOX 11) - Jimmy Mendez, 93, is a World War II veteran. He has served his country proudly, but he's never voted in a presidential election -- until now.

"We know what to expect of Hillary, but we don't know what to expect of Trump," Mendez said.

Outside his Riverside home, Mendez displays a Hillary campaign poster.

When the veteran returned from war he worked on a mayoral campaign in San Bernardino which promised him a job afterwards. When that promise was broken, Mendez said he was turned off from politics.

But this election, Mendez said his fears of a Trump presidency finally convinced him to cast a ballot after 69 years of eligibility.

"It's very dangerous with him because of the plans that he has," Mendez said. "I don't see any good in them."

Political affiliations aside, Mendez is part of the surge in voter registration this election cycle. On the last day to do it, registrar offices in Los Angeles and in Riverside County were bustling with people.

Eighteen-year-old Mason Coe is also a first time voter.

"It was something that has just been on my mind," Coe said. "It was a duty of mine to vote."

More than 18 million people have registered to vote in California, which is an all-time record. Riverside County was also on track to break its record on Monday night.

"We're at about 995,000 registered voters in Riverside County that's the highest its ever been and we're expecting to break one-million for the first time," Rebecca Spencer, Riverside County Registrar of Voters, said.

For Jimmy Mendez, he's even taken the next step. The veteran has already filled out his ballot and plans to mail it Tuesday.

"I like to serve my country again, by voting," Mendez said.

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