If someone decides to become a write-in candidate they still have paperwork to do: all official write-in candidates must file their statements of write-in candidacy and nomination papers with the City Clerk between September 9 and October 22.Any City Council appointments would have to be made prior to the 75th day before the election or the council could order that an election be held.Ever wondered how the names of candidates wind up in the order you see on the ballot? The Secretary of State conducts a drawing of the letters of the alphabet that will correspond with the first letter in the last names of the candidates.You’re not registered to vote? Don’t worry, you have until October 21; if you’re not 18 years old but will be by Election Day - November 5 - you can still register and vote.Come November 5, this year the historic first Tuesday of the month when elections are held, polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Santa Paulans will have a packed ballot for Election Day decisions
June 19, 2002
Santa Paula News
Election Day is November 5th and the local ballot will be packed with candidates for City Council, school boards, at least one land-use measure and a measure asking Santa Paulans to decide whether or not they want to switch to voting districts.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesElection Day is November 5th and the local ballot will be packed with candidates for City Council, school boards, at least one land-use measure and a measure asking Santa Paulans to decide whether or not they want to switch to voting districts.This year’s election will be consolidated with the statewide general election with a ballot including the race for Governor with incumbent Gray Davis pitted against newcomer Bill Simon. Another race being closely watched is that of Superintendent of Public Instruction: State Senator Jack O’Connell, who has represented Santa Paula for 20 years in the Assembly and Senate after a career as an educator, is running for the position against Orange school board member Kathy Smith. If successful, Sen. O’Connell will become the first candidate from Ventura County to win a statewide election.The Santa Paula City Council has three seats opening: Don Johnson and Laura Flores Espinosa have served two terms and Espinosa has announced she will run for a third term. Rick Cook’s first term in office is up; Cook and Johnson have not yet announced their intentions.The filing period for nomination papers - council candidates must gather the signatures of 20 registered Santa Paula voters - opens July 15 and closes August 9. If a council incumbent does not run, the filing period will be extended through August 14.An interesting quirk of elections is that the City Council has the option to forego an election if there are no more candidates filing than there are offices to be filled. The council can appoint the person nominated or even any eligible person if no one has been nominated. By the same token, the City Council could go ahead and hold the election if either no one or only one person has been nominated. Either way, the public always has the option to write-in a candidate of their choice.
