Election is just one day away
June 2, 2014
The 2014 California primary election will take place Tuesday, and several local offices are up for grabs.
San Luis Obispo County’s testiest races are the battles for the District 4 county supervisor seat and the district attorney’s seat. Appointed incumbent Caren Ray and challengers, businesswoman Lynn Compton and real estate broker Mike Byrd, are running for the supervisorial seat, while Assistant District Attorney Tim Covello and Deputy District Attorney Dan Dow are battling to become the county’s chief prosecutor.
Other contested seats include the offices of District 2 county supervisor and Morro Bay mayor. Board chairman Bruce Gibson is facing a challenge from Cambria CSD Director Muril Clifty for the District 2 seat, and first term Morro Bay Mayor Jamie Irons is campaigning against former councilwoman Carla Wixom.
Of the four races, only the District 4 campaign stands much of chance of extending until the November general election. But, if one of the candidates receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the race will end Tuesday.
Tuesday’s election will mark California’s second cycled in the open primary system, which took effect after voters approved former lieutenant governor Abel Maldonado’s 2010 ballot initiative. Voters can choose candidates for statewide office regardless of party registration, and the top two overall finishers in each race will advance to November, no matter their party affiliation.
Polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. Tuesday and will close at 8 p.m. Those who have registered to vote by mail but have not yet returned their ballots may still do so by dropping off their ballots at the county government center prior to polls closing.
County election workers will begin tallying votes as soon as polls close and expect to finalize all results by 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. CalCoastNews will provide live updates as election returns are processed.
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