The June 5 California Primary —a guide for LA County Voters
California’s Primary is coming up on June 5. Unfortunately, California voter turnout for non-Presidential elections is usually less than 33%. We have a serious list of races for this primary including Governor, US Senate, State Senate and Assembly, LA County Supervisors and several LA County Judges.
These people will determine California’s future — every decision from educational resources to how we get out of this housing crisis to gun violence prevention.
“It doesn’t have to be your whole life’s work. It’s about each of us making it bite-sized so we can create change.”
Anyone who knows me knows that I strongly believe your vote matters. I’ve seen the LA County Registrar share examples of races that came down to a handful of votes or even a single vote. Atlanta’s last Mayoral race came down to just 800 votes. The more local the race, the more obscure the position, the more your vote matters.
Here’s a quick guide for LA-based voters.
Logistics
When you can vote
Election Day: June 5, 2018
Early Voting: You can vote now through June 5 by going to the Registrar’s Headquarters (12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk) to request and cast a ballot.
There will also be early voting in a few other locations on June 2-3 throughout LA County.
Get your sample ballot
If you didn’t receive it in the mail, you can pull up your sample ballot here: https://www.lavote.net/locator
Register to vote or change your address
Through the County registrar:
https://www.lavote.net/home/voting-elections/voter-registration/register-to-vote/register
The Ballot
What we’re voting on
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judges — Preside over criminal and civil matters across our city
Los Angeles County Supervisors (District 1 which is uncontested and District 3) — The five members of the LA County Board of Supervisors govern LA County. They oversee things like homelessness prevention (Measure H), child protection, airports, and mental health.
Assessor — Determines the value of property for property taxes
Sheriff — Oversees law enforcement for LA County
City
Several cities within LA County have measures on the ballot (including Glendale, Pasadena and Inglewood). See the full list of LA County ballot measures on Voter’s Edge.
Torrance, Rolling Hills and Long Beach have important Mayoral and City Council elections. See those races on Voter’s Edge.
State of California
Governor
A few great reads on the Gubernatorial candidates
- SF Chronicle — Fixing California’s housing crisis: What candidates for governor would do
- NYTimes — California Governor’s Race Forces Candidates to Face the Past
- LA Times — Antonio Villaraigosa showed political courage in hard times. He should be California’s next governor
A couple links about the candidates for Lt. Governor
- LA Times — California is overflowing with lieutenant governor hopefuls — so many candidates, so few duties
- KCRA — Meet the 4 leading candidates for California Lt. Governor
Secretary of State — Oversees statewide elections and also maintains special registries like the Safe at Home program which protects victims of domestic violence
Controller — The CFO for California, overseeing our state finances
Treasurer — Manages state investments and assets
Attorney General — Ensures laws are enforced fairly
Insurance Commissioner — Enforces laws that insurance companies must follow
US Senator (Feinstein’s current seat)
US Representatives (All Districts) — Find your district in this list on Voter’s Edge
California State Senators (Most Districts — 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 29, 30, 32, 34) —Find your district in this list on Voter’s Edge
California State Assemblymembers (All Districts) — Find your district in this list on Voter’s Edge
Superintendent of Public Instruction — Oversees public schools statewide
California Board of Equalization Members (District 1 and District 3)
State Measure 68 — Funding parks and wildlife conservation
State Measure 69 — Regulating transportation funding
State Measure 70 — Determining how money from companies emitting greenhouse gases is spent
State Measure 71 — Would make ballot measures go into effect after all votes have been certified by Secretary of State
State Measure 72 — Allows construction rain capture devices without an adjustment to property value
Educational Resources
To learn more about any candidate:
- Voter’s Edge
- Ballotpedia
- LA Times Endorsements for 2018
- SF Chronicle Endorsements for 2018
- Google them to find their candidate website (which usually includes their positions and endorsements). Nearly everyone has one — even the judges!
To learn more about measures:
- League of Women Voters of California Ballot Measure Recommendations
- LA Times Guide to the Ballot Measures
- LA County Registrar’s office
The League of Women Voters of Los Angeles is doing an in-person ballot run down on Saturday, May 26 in Woodland Hills.
