Back in September, every California voter across the state received a ballot to decide the Governor’s fate during the recall election. Now just two months later, voters in eleven cities will have to do the dance again and decide who should fill open public office positions in local elections this November 2021:
Alameda County
City of Emeryville: Two challengers are running for one partial term for a vacated city council seat left by former Councilmember Christian Patz who resigned in May of this year. The term ends in 2024.
Los Angeles County
City of Carson, District 4: Residents in district 4 can chose between five candidates to represent them on the council. The winner will serve the remaining term ending in 2022. The vacancy was left by Councilmember Lula Davis-Holmes winning the Mayor’s spot in 2020.
Madera County
City of Madera, District 5: Two challengers are facing off to fill the remainder of the unexpired term ending in December, 2022. The Special Municipal Election was called after Councilmember Garcia was elected Mayor in November 2020.
Marin County
Town of Tiburon: A candidate will be chosen to fill a short-termed vacancy until 2024. Four candidates are looking to fill the slot left by former councilman David Kulik, who resigned in May to move back to San Diego for family reasons.
Riverside County
City of Hemet, District 4: Two candidates in District 4 are seeking to fill the vacancy left by former Councilmember Joe Males who was forced to step down in May after a Riverside Superior Court judge ruled he had been ineligible to run for office at the time. Males is looking to win again fair and square.
City of Moreno Valley, District 2: Six candidates are looking to fill the District 2 vacancy left by late Councilmember Carla Thornton who passed away in January. The winner will serve the remaining term until December 2022. Additionally, all Moreno Valley residents will have the opportunity to vote on Measure G, establishing a 1 cent sales tax, generating around $20 million annually.
San Benito County
City of Hollister, District 3: District 3 voters can make a choice out of five candidates to fill the councilmember vacancy ending in December 2022.
San Diego County
City of La Mesa: An all-mail ballot will be held in the City of La Mesa to fill the vacancy left by former Councilmember Dr. Akilah Weber, who was elected to represent Assembly District 79 in April of this year. La Mesa voters can chose between six candidates to serve the remainder of the term ending in 2022.
Santa Barbara County
City of Santa Barbara, Mayor, District 4, District 5, District 6: The city of Santa Barbara is holding an all-mail election for the Mayor’s spot and three other districts, though District 5 has only one uncontested candidate. Incumbent Mayor Cathy Murillo is running against five challengers and incumbents Councilmember Kristen Sneddon (D4) and Councilmember Meagan Froemming Harmon (D6) are also fighting for a consecutive term on the dais. As mentioned before, incumbent Councilmember Eric Friedman of district 5 is running unopposed.
Sonoma County
City of Sonoma: A special election is being held to fill one vacancy in the council. Three challengers are looking to win former Councilmember Amy Harrington’s old spot on the dais. Additionally, county voters will vote on Measure F, authorizing the Sonoma Valley Health Care District to extend its expiring parcel tax for another ten years at up to $250 per parcel per year.
Ventura County
City of Oxnard, District 2: The district 2 city council spot opened up after Councilmember Carmen Ramirez was elected to the Ventura Board of Supervisors in November 2020. Voters in the area can choose between three candidates.