Voting is the most effective way to make change by electing or voting out the people who create and implement the laws that impact you. The ballot has gotten a lot thicker since California residents voted to line up all elections to coincide with the Federal schedule.
Here are some dates and information regarding June 7, 2022 Election Day:
1. Want a reminder to VOTE each election? Sign up here: https://couragecaliforniainstitute.org/voter-tools/
2. Last day to register to vote in this election is May 23, 2022. Not sure if you are registered or want to register? Visit: https://registertovote.ca.gov/
3. Need Voting Help? (800) 345-VOTE (8683)
4. Polling locations are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to vote in person or turn in a vote by mail ballot
5. All registered voters will receive a VBM (Vote by Mail) ballot to the address they are registered to with the State. Ballots should arrive the week of May 9, 2022. Didn’t receive it or need help with how and when to vote? Visit: https://lavote.gov/home/voting-elections/voting-options/vote-by-mail/how-to-vote-by-mail or call 800.815.2666
6. Need a ballot in another language? Visit: voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.
7. Return ballots by mail, to a secure drop box at a public location or on election day to a polling place. After returning your ballot, track the status here: WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov
8. In the primary election on June 7, 2022, voters will choose which candidates will move on to the general election on November 8, 2022. State, County and City elections are non-partisan so regardless of a registered party the two top vote winners will move onto the general election in November. In some cases, this might mean two members of the same party competing.
9. Individual names you can vote for in some cases will depend on which districts you live in. To locate information on the voting ballot unique to your address visit: http://votersedge.org/
Statewide Offices On All Ballots
United States Senator- Two senators are elected from each state, regardless of state population, guaranteeing each state equal representation. Senators are elected for six-year terms. The Senate tends to respond more directly than the House of Representatives to issues of national, rather than local, concern, though both houses of Congress participate in all aspects of legislation and policymaking. The Senate has the exclusive right to try cases of impeachment, approve presidential appointments, confirm treaties, and elect a vice president if no candidate receives a majority from the Electoral College. The vice president serves as presiding officer of the Senate.
*There are two contests for the U.S. Senate on this ballot due to Kamala Harris becoming Vice President of the United States. You can vote for both contests. One for a 6-year term ending January 3, 2029; and one for the remainder of the current term ending January 3, 2023.
Find Information Here on the candidates: https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_special_election_in_California,_2022
Governor – The highest elected official in California. Oversees most state departments and agencies. Prepares annual state budget. Approves or rejects new state laws.
Lieutenant Governor – Next in line: Becomes Governor if the elected Governor leaves office. Has a tie-breaking vote in the State Senate. Serves on boards and commissions.
Secretary of State – Head of elections and record keeping: Coordinates statewide elections and oversees election laws. Also keeps records about new corporations and businesses and other state databases.
Controller – The state’s bookkeeper: Keeps track of how the state’s money is spent. Issues most checks from the state and manages collection of money due to the state. Reports on finances of state and local governments.
Treasurer – The state’s banker: Manages the state’s investments and assets. Coordinates the sale of state bonds.
Attorney General – The state’s top lawyer: Makes sure laws are enforced the same way across the state. Manages the state Department of Justice. Oversees sheriffs and district attorneys.
Insurance Commissioner – Insurance overseer: Manages the state Department of Insurance. Enforces laws that insurance companies must follow.
Superintendent of Public Instruction – Head of public schools: Manages the state Department of Education. Provides leadership and assistance to all public schools in California. Enforces education regulations.
Candidate Statements for Statewide Offices can be found here: 1) https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/candidates/
2) https://votersedge.org/ca/en/section/2022-06-07/los-angeles-county/overview
Los Angeles County Offices on All Ballots
LA County Assessor– Officer of the government of LA County that is responsible for identifying all taxable property in the County, except for state-assessed property, to inventory and list all the taxable property, to value the property, and to enroll and collect fees for all the property on the local assessment roll.
LA County Sheriff– A Police force serving LA County that is the largest Sheriff’s department in the United States. The department’s three main responsibilities entail providing patrol services for the 153 unincorporated communities of Los Angeles County, California and 42 cities, providing courthouse security for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, and the housing and transportation of inmates within the county jail system.
Los Angeles City Offices on All Ballots
Mayor– The Mayor is the head of City government and more than any other City official, is held responsible for the conduct of City affairs. As the executive officer of the City, the Mayor submits proposals and recommendations to the Council, creates the annual budget, approves or vetoes ordinances passed by the Council, and enforces the City’s ordinances.
City Controller– the Controller has responsibility for serving as the auditor and chief accounting officer of the City. The Controller is required to exercise general supervision over the accounts of all officers and departments of the City.
City Attorney– serves as legal advisor to the Mayor, City Council, and all City boards, departments, officers and entities. As the City’s general counsel, the City Attorney provides advice and opinions on matters of municipal concern, examines contracts and ordinances as to form and legality.
List of Los Angeles City candidates: https://clerk.lacity.org/sites/g/files/wph1491/files/2022-03/Certified_list_of_Candidates_Final.pdf
For all candidates for Los Angeles County please visit: https://votersedge.org/ca/en/election/2022-06-07/los-angeles-county
Propositions and Measures of Interest by City
LOS ANGELES CITY
Measure BB — Allows the City to award bid preference to a bidder located in Los Angeles City
Shall the City Charter be amended to allow the City, on a competitive bid contract, to award a bid preference to a bidder located in the City of Los Angeles?
Beverly Hills City
L – Term Limit Measure: Shall an ordinance be adopted by the City of Beverly Hills to establish a total three term limit during one’s lifetime for the offices of City Councilmember and City Treasurer in the City of Beverly Hills?
MANHATTAN BEACH CITY
A – INITIATIVE ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR MANHATTAN BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. Shall a measure imposing an annual flat tax of $1,095.00 on each real property parcel within the City of Manhattan Beach, and adjusted annually for inflation, for a period of twelve years, thereby generating an estimated $11,000,000 to $13,000,000 annually for investment in education, with an oversight committee and exemptions for (1) low-income individuals and (2) seniors who use their property as a principal residence, be adopted?
TORRANCE CITY
SST – Torrance Public Safety/Essential Services Measure. To maintain city services such as fire/paramedic/public safety/9-1-1 response, safe schools; protect local drinking water sources/ coastal waters from pollution; keep parks/ public areas safe/ clean; repair streets/potholes; prevent thefts/property crime; maintain senior services; and address homelessness, shall the City of Torrance ordinance be adopted establishing a ½¢ sales tax for general government use, generating approximately $18,000,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring public spending disclosure, independent audits, all funds locally controlled?
Judges of Different Levels of the Bench:
For more information review the Los Angeles County Bar Associations review of qualified candidates for judge: https://www.lacba.org/docs/default-source/committees/judicial-elections-evaluation/2022/jeec-2022-final-report.pdf
DISTRICT SPECIFIC OFFICES: Depending on which Federal, State, County or City Districts you live in you may see the following on your ballot:
To locate information on the voting ballot unique to your address visit: https://votersedge.org/ca/en/election/2022-06-07/los-angeles-county.
United States Congress member– The duties carried out by a Member of Congress are understood to include representation, legislation, and constituent service and education, as well as political and electoral activities.
State Assembly and Senate
The upper house of the California State Legislature is the State Senate and the lower house being the California State Assembly California State Senators each represent more people than California’s members of the House of Representatives. State legislators are responsible for changing existing laws and making new laws for the state of California and its residents. No matter where you live in California, you are represented by one State Assembly member and one state senator. Every legislator has a staff that helps them stay connected to the residents of their district and helps residents access services. Legislators play a huge role in advocating for public services and protections, like minimum wage; deciding whether services are privatized, such as health care; and determining funding priorities that directly influence your local public school’s budget.
Districts for State Senators on some ballots– 20th, 22nd, 24th, 26th, 28th, 30th, 34th and 36th.
Districts for State Assembly Member on some ballots– 34th, 39th – 44th ,46th, 48th, 49th , 51st – 57th, 61st , 62nd , 64th – 67th and 69th.
LA County Supervisor– The Board of Supervisors is in charge of both the legislative and executive operations of the all of Los Angeles County and its 10 million residents. They oversee County departments, such as the Sheriff, LA County Fire, Health Department, Children and Family Services and more. They hold the ability to make laws that govern the county, provide support for residents and manage the County of Los Angeles budget.
Districts 1 and 3 will be on some ballots.
Los Angeles City Councilmember– The LA City Council is the governing body of the City, except as otherwise provided in the Charter, and enacts ordinances subject to the approval or veto of the Mayor. It orders elections, levies taxes, authorizes public improvements, approves contracts, adopts traffic regulations and provides support navigating City services to residents.
Districts 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15 will be on some ballots.
Los Angeles Board of Education
Districts 2, 4 and 6 will be on some ballots.
CA State Board of Equalization (BOE) – Established under the California Constitution to regulate county assessment practices, equalize county assessment ratios, and assess properties of intercounty railroads. In subsequent constitutional and statutory amendments, the Board was directed to administer tax, fee, and appellate programs to support state and local government. Today, the BOE focuses on its Constitutional responsibilities: Property Tax, Alcoholic Beverage Tax, and Tax on Insurers.
Districts 1 and 3 will be on some ballots
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