LOS ANGELES — The deadline to cast your ballot in the March 5 primary election is less than a week away.
You’ve likely heard a lot about the presidential race at the top of the ticket and the star-studded lineup for U.S. Senate, but there are plenty of other contests that could have a tremendous influence on our state and across the nation.
What You Need To Know
- Voters head to the polls on March 5 to vote in the primary election
- Along with the presidential election, California voters will also decide on several congressional and local races
- The LA County Registrar of Voters opened a state-of-the-art facility in the City of Industry to process ballots
For example, the Congressional District 22 race in the Central Valley.
Republican incumbent David Valadao is facing two Democratic challengers and the fight there has become quite intense. The California Democratic Party has endorsed former state legislator Rudy Salas, who unsuccessfully challenged Valadao in 2022.
But they’ve said they’re worried support may be siphoned off by fellow Democrat Melissa Hurtado, who wasn’t planning on running until the group Emily’s List persuaded her to do so.
Salas supporters, including legendary labor activist Dolores Huerta, have been asking her to step out of the way.
U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler, former head of Emily’s List, spoke about this race at an event at California State University, Dominguez Hills last week.
“If we’re actually going to walk the talk that we say to our kids that representation matters, that women are just as good as men, if that is true, Melissa Hurtado deserves a chance to stand before the voters in her district and get an up or down. And it is not Emily’s List’s job to back down or to back away.”
Meanwhile, besides candidates, voters in Southern California also will weigh in on local measures, which could have a big impact on our region for decades to come.
In Huntington Beach, Measure A would require voters to show identification to cast their ballots starting in 2026.
Critics, including California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber, say the initiative conflicts with state law and could lead to voter suppression.
But proponents say otherwise.
Huntington Beach City Council member Tony Strickland spoke to “Inside the Issues” in September and said showing an ID is a crucial step in many things we do.
“We show our IDs when we go on a plane, we show our IDs when we get medicine and I just think it brings in one more safeguard that people have faith in that election outcome,” he said.
When it comes to having faith in that election, voters can now be an election observer from the comfort of their own home.
The Los Angeles County Registrar has opened up a new state-of-the-art facility in the City of Industry to process ballots.
It’s a one-stop shop for democracy where ballots will be processed, signatures will be validated and votes will be tabulated and reported. You can watch democracy in action on their website.