In what will likely be a relief to the candidates — and voters — the much anticipated June primary election is set for next week.
The election will be held on Tuesday, June 2, with many races of interest, both locally and statewide.
Ballots for the election were sent to every registered voter in Mariposa County earlier this month.
Because California is an all mail-in state, it’s likely the vast majority of votes will already be cast by election day.
However, voters do have the opportunity to vote in person in the county. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.
Voters in Mariposa County have several options for their ballots, including drop boxes or returning them by mail. With the election nearing, using the drop boxes is probably the best way to ensure they arrive on time.
As of last week, Mariposa County Clerk Courtney Morrow said roughly 14 percent, or 1,500, voters had returned their ballots.
“That’s normal at the moment,” she said, adding this week is “when they really starting rolling it.”
There were around 11,000 ballots sent to registered voters in the county.
Results will likely roll in pretty quickly next Tuesday night, said Morrow, noting a week before the elections, officials can begin processing the ballots. Though no totals or any other information can be processed, just the fact they are ready to go speeds up election night.
She said the vast majority of ballots are submitted prior to the election either through the drop boxes, via the U.S. Postal Service or in person at the elections office.
In most local elections, those returns that are generally counted just after 8 p.m. paint a pretty clear picture of what will eventually be the final results.
“We’re in good shape,” said Morrow.
The 50 percent plus one rule
This year’s local election has two contested races.
One is for assessor recorder where Tammie Guenthart, the person appointed to that position following a resignation, will face Jenifer Canter. That race has become pretty high profile considering the nature of the office.
In that race, the winner will become the next officeholder.
But in the race for District 1 supervisor, it’s a little different.
There are three candidates for the position to replace Supervisor Rosmarie Smallcombe, who is not seeking reelection.
On the ballot are Lisa Edelheit, Stanley Bissmeyer and Adam McLane.
In this case, it’s possible there could be another election in November — but not necessarily.
As Morrow explained, if any of those three candidates gets 50 percent plus one vote, that person will be declared the winner and take the supervisor seat in January 2027.
But if nobody gets to that level, the top two vote-getters in the race will advance to the November general election.
Morrow said she received a question about why that system is in place and noted it’s because of state law.
Morrow is expecting a fairly high turnout for the election, especially because of the local races.
“The local stuff brings out more voters,” said Morrow.
She estimated voter turnout could approach 70 percent.
Several people will also be running unopposed in the primary. Those are:
• Jeff Aranguena, county superintendent of schools.
• Neil Douglass, superior court judge
• Luis Mercado, county auditor
• Danette Toso, Supervisor District 3
• Courtney Morrow, treasurer/tax collector/ county clerk
Drop boxes
Drop boxes are located in the following places:
• Mariposa County Elections Department parking lot, 3982 10th Street, Mariposa; available 24 hours a day and open until 8 p.m. on election day.
• Lake Don Pedro Community Services District Office, 9751 Merced Falls Road, La Grange, available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Yosemite Public Library, 9042 Village Drive, Yosemite National Park, available Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Pine Tree Market, 7995 Chilnualna Falls Road, Wawona, available seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Triangle Market, 3125 Triangle Road, Mariposa, available Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Election Day (June 2) from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• The Oaks Deli and Gas, 4993 Hornitos Road, Catheys Valley, available Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Election Day 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Coulter Cafe & General Store, 5015 Main Street, Coulterville, available Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Bootjack Equipment Rental & Feed, 5039 Cole Road, Mariposa, available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Yosemite Cedar Lodge, 9966 Highway 140, El Portal, available Sunday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Election Day, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Vote centers
Voting centers are also available in the county. Here are the locations:
• Mariposa County Elections Office, 4982 10th Street, Mariposa. It will be open May 28-29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 30-31 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Lushmeadows Fire State, 6008 Monte Vista Drive, Mariposa. It will be open through June 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
• Greeley Hill Community Hall Club, 10332B Fiske Road, Coulterville. It will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Carroll N. Clark Community Hall, 5512 Foresta Road, El Portal. It will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Big ballot
For the upcoming primary election, the ballot is quite large.
Because of so many candidates running for governor, the ballot is 22 inches long, said Morrow.
However, it is printed on one, two-sided sheet, she said.
The alternative is two sheets, something Morrow said they did once and “I will never do again.”
Tests have already been conducted on the ballots and Morrow reports everything “tested well.”
Morrow said she has been pleased with how the system has been working over the past few elections.
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