Silicon Valley voters this November will cast ballots in one of the region’s most consequential elections: From deciding who to send to Washington to a historic county supervisorial election, there is no shortage of major decisions up and down the ballot.
Santa Clara County lawmakers express concern with costs of all-mail election
Santa Clara County lawmakers on Tuesday debated a plan to roll out all-mail elections in 2020 and replace precinct polling places with 125 “vote centers” that would be open much for up to 11 days before Election Day. Some supervisors however, expressed doubt, citing the biggest drawback to the plan — its price tag. “I’m...
Secretary of State Alex Padilla talks 2020 elections with immigration leaders
As Democrats flood into the 2020 presidential election, many local elections officials and advocacy organizations are gearing up to ensure immigrant voters in the South Bay get informed and to the polls. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla on Wednesday stopped by the Services, Immigrant Rights and, and Education Network (SIREN) office to discuss immigrant advocacy, 2020 election preparations and...
San Jose Councilmember Lan Diep draws a challenger
Councilman Captain America has drawn at least one re-election challenger. San Jose’s most eccentric lawmaker, Lan Diep, will face Huy Tran, the housing commissioner he appointed, and potentially Berryessa school trustee David Cohen, in his re-election bid next year. Diep was narrowly elected to the San Jose City Council in June 2016 by 12 votes. He unseated...
Ann Ravel joins the Senate race to replace Jim Beall
After months of speculation, former FEC commissioner Ann Ravel on Monday jumped into the race to replace Silicon Valley Senator Jim Beall next year. “I care a lot about California, and I want to do things that are in the public interest,” Ravel said in an interview with San José Spotlight on Monday. “I’m interested only...
Magdalena Carrasco jumps into crowded supervisorial race
Magdalena Carrasco, the dynamic lawmaker who broke the mold as San Jose’s vice mayor, is running for county supervisor in what’s shaping up to be a crowded field of high-profile candidates. “This feels like a very natural step for me,” Carrasco said in an interview Monday. “It really feels like the next step in the...
Johnny Khamis jumps into state Senate race
Several prominent politicians are lining up to replace termed-out state Sen. Jim Beall in an election that’s more than a year away. San Jose Councilman Johnny Khamis, a former Republican who fled the party in June over Donald Trump’s immigration policies, confirmed that he’ll run for the seat. Khamis discussed the idea with political consultant...