2020 Primary Election: La Mesa Voter Guide

LA MESA, CA — Turnout is expected to be strong election day in California, as many of San Diego County's more than 1.8 million registered voters cast their ballots in the presidential primary election.

Also see: 2020 Primary Election: San Diego County Voter Guide

For the first time, California is part of Super Tuesday, when presidential primaries will take place in more than a dozen states. In the past, the Golden State's primary was held in June, when the nominees for both major parties are typically already decided.

There are 20.4 million registered voters in the state, an increase of 3.1 million since the last presidential election in 2016. In fact, 80 percent of eligible Californians are registered to vote, the highest heading into a presidential primary in California in the past 68 years.

A total of 1,826,138 people are registered to vote in San Diego County, according to the latest voter registration numbers from Secretary of State Alex Padilla's office. That's nearly 82 percent of eligible voters.

"California entered 2020 with a record 20.4 million registered voters — and I only expect that figure to climb as we reach the presidential primary in March and general election in November," Padilla said.

Major Elections

The statewide races dominating the headlines in California are those for the presidential primary and Proposition 13, the only statewide measure on the ballot. Proposition 13 asks voters to authorize the sale of $15 billion in bonds to fund facility improvements at schools from pre-K to public universities.

In San Diego County, voters will also weigh in on local measures and races for city councils, the Board of Supervisors, State Senate, State Assembly and U.S. Congress.

Congress

In the 53rd Congressional District, Democrat Susan Davis is retiring. More than a dozen candidates are on the ballot, including Democrats Georgette Gomez, Janessa Goldbeck, Sara Jacobs, Jose Caballero, John Brooks, Joseph Fountain, Eric Roger Kutner, Annette Meza Suzette Santori and Joaquín Vázquez. The Republican candidates are Michael Patrick Oristian and Chris Stoddard. Fernando Garcia is running without a party preference.

The district, which includes La Mesa, stretches from Interstate 5 and Balboa Park on the west, through Mission Valley to East County, and continues south to Chula Vista.

State Assembly

In the 79th Assembly District, incumbent Democrat Shirley Weber is facing Republicans Carmelita "C.L." Larrabaster and John Moore. The district includes La Mesa.

Board of Supervisors

In District 2, Republicans Joel Anderson and Steve Vaus and Democrat Kenya Taylor are vying for outgoing Supervisor Dianne Jacob's seat. The district includes El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Poway and Santee, as well as a number of communities, including Alpine, Lakeside, Ramona and Spring Valley.

Local Measures

There are 17 local measures in San Diego County, from countywide initiatives to local school district measures. Read more here.

• Also see: 2 Ballot Measures Will Decide Future Of Development In San Diego

Here's a look at the two countywide measures:

Measure A

The "Safeguard Our San Diego Countryside" initiative would require voter approval for General Plan amendments that increase residential density — the number of dwelling units in an area — in semi-rural and rural areas. Read more.

Measure B is about a specific project called the "Newland Sierra Project," a master planned community in North County. County supervisors granted an amendment to the General Plan for the project in 2018. The measure asks voters whether the amendment should be approved. Read more.

Where to Vote

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on election day in California. Ballots must be handed in by the time polls close, according to the Secretary of State. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before election day.

• Where To Vote In La Mesa: Election Polling Places, Hours

Find your polling place by using San Diego County's online locator and entering your address.

Also see:

• CA Workers Can Take Time Off To Vote In March Election
• Law Would Make Voting Mandatory In California
• 2 Ballot Measures Will Decide Future Of Development In San Diego
• Mail Ballot Drop-Off Locations In San Diego County
• Where To Vote In San Diego County: Election Polling Places, Hours