Here's what you need to know about Primary Day
Solano County residents head to the polls on Tuesday.
(Stock image, Graphic by Solano NewsNet)
Tuesday is Primary Day in California, and registered voters in Solano County have the opportunity to make their voice heard in a number of key elections.
Officials with the Solano County Registrar of Voters Office said the agency has received around 13 percent of ballots from eligible voters who mailed or dropped them off early. Turnout is expected to be low for this election, despite the fact that a number of key races — like who will serve as Solano County’s district attorney or the elected representative to Congress in two key districts — will be decided by voters on Tuesday.
Here’s what you need to know about Primary Day voting on Tuesday…
Cast your Ballot
Voters have until Tuesday at 8 p.m. to cast their ballot, with several options available for doing so:
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by June 7 and must be received by the Elections Office by next week. Ballots that are mailed on Tuesday may still qualify for the primary if they are processed by the U.S. Post Office accordingly.
Mail-in ballots can be dropped off at a local polling place or any number of drop off points. Click or tap here to find polling places and drop-off points for the June 7 primary.
Voters can also cast their ballot in person at a polling place. Click or tap here to find your specific polling place.
Key Races
District Attorney: This closely-watched race matches incumbent Krishna Abrams with challenger Sharon Henry. Abrams has largely campaigned on a tough-on-crime approach with a focus on victims’ rights; she has won the endorsement of every law enforcement union and several local chambers of commerce in Solano County. Henry, who works as a deputy district attorney, sued Abrams last year over alleged discrimination and harassment; she has been endorsed by several of her current and former colleagues as well as city leaders throughout Solano County and has campaigned on a platform of accountability and restoring community trust in the prosecutor’s office.
Sheriff: Like the incumbent District Attorney, incumbent Sheriff Tom Ferrara has campaigned on a tough-on-crime approach, and has won key endorsements from long-time elected officials, police unions, chambers of commerce and retired colleagues. His challenger, Daryl Snedeker, is a retired deputy sheriff who has focused his efforts on restoring community trust in law enforcement along with a push toward treatment for offenders who suffer from mental health issues.
Governor: Incumbent Gavin Newsom faces a long list of challengers, including several fellow Democratic candidates, which is unusual for an election. His re-election campaign, which is focused largely on his efforts to lead California through the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, comes less than a year after Newsom defeated an attempt to recall him from office. His primary challengers this time around include Republican State Senator Brian Dahle and independent candidate Michael Shellenberger, who are hoping to take into ongoing angst over California’s rising cost of living and increased crime in the Golden State.
Attorney General: Incumbent Rob Bonta faces several challengers, including Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, who is running as an independent with a conservative agenda. Schubert, who has won the endorsements of several law enforcement unions, was publicly criticized in 2019 for failing to prosecute several Sacramento police officers who fatally shot an unarmed Black man one year prior. Incumbent Bonta has been criticized for using state financial resources to launch several dozen lawsuits against the administration of Donald Trump during his time as president.
Redistricting
Recent redistricting efforts means some Solano County residents will be voting for a different elected official to Congress — specifically, some residents whose Congressman is Representative John Garamendi will be asked to choose from several other candidates, including incumbent Representative Mike Thompson, while the opposite is true in other areas. Information on redistricting can be viewed by clicking or tapping here.
Election Results
Solano NewsNet will offer preliminary results shortly after the polls close Tuesday evening, with projections and updates on key races throughout the week.
Mail-in ballots that were received prior to Primary Day will be among the first to be officially counted, with in-person ballots cast on Primary Day and mail-in ballots received after Primary Day adding to the tally in the days to come.
It will take several weeks for Primary Day results to be “certified” by the Solano County Registrar of Voters Office.
Connect with Solano NewsNet on Twitter and Facebook for breaking news updates.
We’re proud to produce independent news for Solano County. If you would like to show your appreciation, consider making a donation in any amount or signing up for a paid subscription.