Campaign signs are fluttering on fences on Pacific Coast Highway. Candidates’ ads are landing in your mailbox or your Facebook News Feed. People are asking for your signature outside the grocery store. If you haven’t noticed, election season is here.
In less than three weeks, on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 to be exact, voters will cast ballots in California’s Statewide Direct Primary Election. The main purpose of the primary election is to determine which candidates will be on the ballot in the General Election in November. California has a Top-Two Primary, or what is sometimes called a jungle primary. That means the top-two vote getters will advance to the general election regardless of party. So, a Republican could face another Republican, or Democrat could face another Democrat in November. Voters can vote for any candidate regardless of the voter or candidate’s party preference. You can also write in a candidate. The top-two system was enacted after Proposition 14 was passed by voters in 2010.
It’s a long ballot, so be sure to set aside time to educate yourself on the candidates and issues. To help you start, here is a brief look at what’s on next month’s ballot for residents voting in the 90740, 90720 or 90743 zip codes.
Statewide Offices
Governor Jerry Brown (D) is being termed out and 27 candidates are running to replace him. Other statewide offices on the ballot include: Lt. Governor, Controller, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
There are also five propositions on the ballot all put on by the State Legislature. Here’s a brief look at each one:
Proposition 68: Authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds for parks, natural resources protection, climate adaptation, water quality and supply, and flood protection.
Proposition 69: Would amend the State Constitution to require money from diesel sales taxes and new transportation fees enacted by SB 1 in 2017 be spent only on transportation purposes.
Proposition 70: Starting in 2024, requires that cap-and-trade revenues (money earned from California’s program meant to curb greenhouse gas emissions) accumulate in a reserve fund until the Legislature votes, by a two-thirds majority, to use the revenues.
Proposition 71: Requires that ballot measures approved by a majority of voters shall take effect five days after the Secretary of State certifies election results.
Proposition 72: Permits Legislature to exclude new construction of rain-capture systems, completed on or after Jan. 1, 2019, from property-tax reassessment.
Congressional Contests
There are 32 candidates running to represent California in the U.S. Senate including incumbent Dianne Feinstein (D).
Seal Beach is in the 48th Congressional District which is currently represented by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R). He is running for re-election and is facing 15 challengers. Some voters in Rossmoor are in the 47th Congressional District which is represented by Alan Lowenthal (D). He is running for re-election against two Republican challengers.
State Government
Five candidates are vying for the State Assembly seat representing the 72nd District, which covers most of Seal Beach. Incumbent Travis Allen (R) is running for Governor. Some voters will cast ballots in the 65th Assembly District race. Most voters in Seal Beach will also pick a State Senator to represent the 34th District. Voters in the 29th State Senate District will make two decisions regarding the seat. The incumbent, Josh Newman (D), is facing a recall. There are also six candidates running for his seat if he is recalled.
County-level Races
Part of the ballot will be for offices at the County level. Here’s a list of what you’ll decide on:
Orange County Supervisor, 2nd District
Sheriff-Coroner
Assessor
Auditor-Controller
County Clerk-Recorder
District Attorney-Public Administrator
Treasurer-Tax Collector
Superintendent of Schools
Judge of the Superior Court, Office #13
Voters will also decide on representatives to the State Board of Equalization for the 4th District and the Board of Education, Trustee Area 2.
Local Races in November
There are no city of Seal Beach-related issues on the June ballot but there will be races in November.
Three Seal Beach City Council seats will be on the November ballot including Districts One, Three and Five. Both District Five Councilwoman Sandra Massa-Lavitt and District Three Councilman, and current Mayor Mike Varipapa say they will seek re-election. District One Councilwoman Ellery Deaton is termed out of office. According to City Clerk Robin Roberts, no candidates have filed financial paperwork declaring their intention to run. The filing period for candidates to declare their candidacy is July 16 through August 10. Also on the ballot for November, Los Alamitos Unified School District Board Member, Seat 5.
City leaders have discussed potentially putting a ballot measure before voters in Seal Beach in November. Ideas being floated include a sales tax, property tax or utility tax measure to pay for more public safety officers. The city has until August 10 to complete the process to put a measure on the November ballot.
Important Voter Information
Make sure you’re registered to vote by visiting voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. You can vote early, by mail or at an early election center. You must submit your vote-by-mail application by May, 29, 2018 to be eligible. Visit ocvote.com/mail for more information. To find out where to cast a ballot early, visit ocvote.com/early. You can check your polling location for election day by texting Vote to GOVOTE (468683).
Resources
Feeling overwhelmed? Here are some online resources to help you navigate the ballot.
Find detailed information on statewide races in the state’s Official Voter Information Guide:
http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/pdf/complete-vig.pdf
For extensive information on candidates in all races, including where their campaign contributions are coming from, visit: http://votersedge.org/en/ca
You can search for detailed information about County-level candidates and races through the Orange County Registrar of Voter’s office: https://bit.ly/2Ij5X6i
Important Dates
Monday, May, 21, 2018: Last day to register to vote for June 5 Primary Election
Tuesday, May, 29, 2018: Last day to request a Vote-By-Mail Ballot
Tuesday, June 5, 2018: Primary Election Day
Polls are Open 7am-8pm on Election Day
Jeannette Andruss is a freelance writer for the Sun News.
