By Iracema Navarro, political affairs reporter
It kind of gets lost in all the attention lavished on who will be the Democratic Party nominee in the November general election against President Trump, but there is a lot more at stake in the California Presidential Primary Election which ends Tuesday.
Yes, that’s right: ends. Registered voters could vote by mail beginning Feb. 3, and the introduction of voting centers and voting boxes (like the one in the CSUDH library) meant that voters could drop off their ballots beginning Feb. 22).
But while every California voter has multiple options on where and when they can vote, who and what they will be voting on depends on their stated political party (or lack thereof) for president, and where they live for county, local, city and district measures and candidates.
As an example, a registered voter who lives in the same code as CSUDH will have the chance to cast their vote on president, state, local and county measures; and state assembly and senate offices, county supervisors and judges; and even a district attorney.
In terms of judges alone, there are 12 spots to be filled and 26 candidates . Overwhelming, right? Here’s a tip: split the research with family and/or friends. Number one rule in research: get only facts and make double sure they’re facts. Present the findings and have everyone make their own opinion.
Here is what the ballot looks like in Carson: for 411 on yours, you can start with ballotpedia.org. It’s detailed and seems nonpartisan to these eyes.
The vote for president as of today, Feb. 28 has eight people running for the 2020 Democratic nomination and two for the Republican nomination. By last names, the Democrats are Biden, Bloomberg, Buttigieg, Gabbard, Klobuchar, Sanders, Steyer, and Warren. For the Republicans,. they are Weld and Trump.
State Measure 13 is also on the ballot requiring a majority vote. The proposition, if passed, would authorize a $15 billion bond for education facilities of public preschools, K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. If passed, the state will be allowed to borrow money to improve schools but would increase state costs to repay the bonds.
In the county, there is a Measure R, which would revise the powers of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission. If passed, the commission could investigate the actions and policies of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Also, there is Measure FD a fire protection special tax measure. If passed, it would levy a parcel tax of six cents per square foot to replace or upgrade first responder equipment, communication, and technology.
For the 35th District, the State Senator candidates are Anthony Perry, a substitute teacher, and Steven Craig Bradford, current California State Senator.
Mike Anthony Gipson, current State Assemblymember, is up against public school teacher Fatima S. Iqbal-Zubair for the 64th District Member of the State Assembly.
Seven of 18 candidates can be voted to be a member of the central committee of the 64th Assembly District.
The candidates for Los Angeles County Supervisor for the 2nd District include familiar names of Albert Robles and Holly J. Mitchell. There is also a District Attorney to vote for in justice reform advocate George Gascón, public and federal defender Rachel A. Rossi, and current Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey.
There are 12 judges to be voted for Judge of the Superior Court and 26 candidates appearing on this ballot.
After the primary election, there will be a few months to then research, discuss, and vote again for the November 2020 General Election.
