Today is the last day to register to vote for one of seven candidates running for the District 3 San Jose City Council seat, with just more than two weeks left until the special election.
Eligible residents in the downtown district can register online through the Secretary of State’s website to receive a vote by mail ballot. People who miss the deadline can still vote in the election, but must register in person and vote on the same day at the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters office or vote centers starting March 29. Vote centers include the Joyce Ellington Branch Library at 491 E. Empire St., Olinder Community Center at 848 E. William St. and Center for Employment Training at 701 Vine St.
Candidates for the April 8 special election include mayoral Deputy Chief of Staff Matthew Quevedo, Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley Executive Director Gabby Chavez-Lopez, San Jose Planning Commission Chair Anthony Tordillos, pro tem judge Irene Smith, retired Sheriff Lt. Adam Duran, family and marriage counselor Tyrone Wade and knife sharpener salesman Philip Dolan. If no candidate receives a simple majority vote, a runoff election will be held June 24.
Matt Moreles, acting registrar of voters, said everyone who can participate should vote.
“Your vote counts, whether it’s a federal election or a local election,” he said in a statement. “We encourage all eligible residents to register before today’s deadline to ensure you receive your vote by mail ballot in time for election day.”
The election is a result of disgraced former Councilmember Omar Torres’ arrest and resignation last November. Torres pleaded not guilty to child molestation charges earlier this month. The San Jose City Council temporarily appointed Carl Salas to fill the seat before the special election.
The next District 3 councilmember will tackle downtown’s largest issues, such as homelessness, post-pandemic recovery and vibrancy.
Candidates are raking in cash to support their campaign and ideas for downtown. Quevedo, supported by Mayor Matt Mahan, has raised the most money so far, with more than $200,000 according to recent campaign filings. Labor-backed Chavez-Lopez and Tordillos are in second and third, with more than $122,000 and $120,000 raised, respectively.
Residents who already have a ballot can mail it or drop it off in ballot boxes scattered across the district. Find the closest ballot box.
Contact Annalise Freimarck at [email protected] or follow @annalise_ellen on X.
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