Voting In Napa Valley: Everything You Need To Know

NAPA COUNTY, CA — From city council races to school board seats to measures, voters across Napa County will decide several local races in Tuesday's general election.

Still need to cast your vote? Here's a list of vote centers and ballot drop boxes throughout Napa County.

City of Napa Election: Mayor, City Council Race

For the first time in the city of Napa, voters are electing their mayor at large and city council members for the city's newly drawn districts.

Three candidates are running for a four-year term as mayor: Doris Gentry, a teacher who serves as vice mayor; Scott Sedgley, a councilman; and challenger Gerardo Martin, who works as a financial advisor.

Gentry believes government in Napa "should fully embrace commitment to residents, collaboration with all levels of government and compassion for those who need help."

Sedgley, a retired city of Napa firefighter, said he has used his experience and passion for the last six years to "advocate for you, our neighbors and our region as your City Councilmember." With voters' help, Sedgley says he will "continue building on our success and ensure Napa remains a world-class place to live, work, and raise a family."

Martin says he is a servant to the community, and that: "Through a set of fiscally conservative policies that bring our local community and business leaders together, we can build a more equitable and inclusive Napa. That's why I am running to be the first Latino Mayor of the City of Napa."

Four candidates are seeking a four-year term as the council member representing District 2:

Jim Hinton, a Napa native and political consultant who says he'll "defend our water resources from pollution and corporate water grabs," he'll defend immigrant rights and he'll demand fiscal accountability and transparency."

Beth Painter, who says she has experience as a professional planner and Napa Planning Commissioner "to ensure that our work together creates a safe and balanced future for Napa. We need to protect the health of our residents, bring jobs back to our community and ensure that our businesses can survive and pay a living wage."

Paul Stoddard, a lifelong resident of District 2 who says his "passion for Napa's locals, families and business's has inspired me to bring my wealth of business experience, relationship building, and fiscal discipline to public service helping our community."

David Campbell, who says he is running "because we need a progressive voice on the City Council– someone who refuses donations from all corporations and business interests, and works actively to support the poor, the working class, and historically marginalized communities, including people of color, women, LGBTQ, the disabled, young people, and seniors."

Two candidates are seeking to represent District 4:

Bernie Narvaez, a U.S. Marine veteran and small business owner who says he'll work to solve Napa's housing crisis because "The lack of housing creates a ripple effect that affects other parts of our community, from declining enrollment in our schools, fewer workers, which means a smaller workforce to support our local businesses. If you work in Napa, you should have an opportunity to live in Napa."

Renee Cazares, a small business owner whose campaign slogan is, "working together to create a better neighborhood" by pausing development on new hotels until housing needs are met, reducing pesticides and chemicals in Napa's soils and waterways, and "creating a City Hall which embraces the arts and cultural diversity."

Napa Valley Unified School District

Another contest to watch is among three candidates seeking to serve as the trustee for Area 4 on the governing board of the Napa Valley Unified School District.

Voters will decide whether incumbent Icela Martin, who currently serves a president of the school board, is re-elected for another term; or whether the trustee seat changes hands and goes to one of two challengers: Eve Ryser, a parent and teacher; or Devin Martin Jones, a parent, teacher and winemaker.

City of American Canyon: Mayor, City Council Races

In the city of American Canyon, Councilman Mark Joseph and the Mayor Leon Garcia are competing for a four-year term in the mayoral seat.

There's also a race between five candidates for two seats on the American Canyon City Counci: retired police detective Pierre Washington; homemaker Jason Kishineff; incumbent Councilmember Mariam Aboudamous; businessman Joey H. Palma and financial analyst/underwriter Eric "EA" Altman.

Calistoga City Council Race

City of Calistoga voters are deciding on Mayor and two City Council seats. Mayor Chris Canning is running opposed for another term, while two challengers — Spiro Makras and Lisa Gifts, both small business owners — are seeking to unseat two council incumbents, Irais Lopez-Ortega and Michael Dunsford.

St. Helena: City Council Race, Measure G

In the city of St. Helena, there a race a two-year term as mayor between incumbent Mayor Geoff Ellsworth, current City Councilwoman Mary Koberstein and challenger Peter White.

There is also a race for two seats on the St. Helena City Council, each for a full four-year term. The candidates are: business owner Eric Hall, attorney Lester Hardy, retired librarian Leslie Stanton, Napa Valley College Trustee Rosaura Segura, and David Knudsen.

Also in St. Helena, voters will decide on Measure G, Hotel Development Advisory Question.

• A “yes” vote supports the opinion that hotel development should be prohibited on 5.6 acres of land at the corner of Library Lane and Adams Street for 20 years. Measure G was put on the ballot as a nonbinding, advisory question with no ability to change local law.
• A “no” vote opposes the opinion that hotel development should be prohibited on 5.6 acres of land at the corner of Library Lane and Adams Street for 20 years. Measure G was put on the ballot as a nonbinding, advisory question with no ability to change local law.

Yountville: Town Council Race, Measure T

There's a race for two seats for four-year terms on the Yountville Town Council between incumbents Marjorie Mohler and Jeff Durham, and challengers Eric Knight, a sales specialist, and Scott Owens, an executive assistant.

Yountville voters are also deciding Tuesday on Ballot Measure T, Marijuana Business Regulations.

• A “yes” vote supports authorizing a marijuana business to exist in Yountville for retail, delivery and on-site consumption and establishing regulations, fees, permits, operation conditions and a 3% tax on gross receipts, generating an estimated $30,000 - $100,000 per year.
• A “no” vote opposes authorizing a marijuana business to exist in Yountville for retail, delivery and on-site consumption and establishing regulations, fees, permits, operation conditions and a 3% tax on gross receipts.

Want to double-check that your mail ballot has been received? Track it here.

Check back with Patch at 8 p.m. Tuesday for Election Day results.

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