By David L, bostonese.com
Santa Clara, May 26, 2014, — As we celebrate this memorial weekend, the primary elections in California is just around the corner. Carrying out your right and duty to vote may be one of the best ways to honor the soldiers who gave their lives to defend our freedom.
The following is part of page one of a English-Chinese bilingual sample ballot from Santa Clara County website. Ballots for the June 3 primaries are available in Chinese, English, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Sample ballots can be viewed online.
Candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor for the primary elections.
As the June 3 primary elections approaches, voters in the Golden State started to do some research of the candidates. This years primaries feature a crowded field for candidates for Governor. There are 15 candidates for Govern, and eight candidates for Lt. Governor.
The pie chart below is the political party affiliations on voter registration from the Secretary of the State office. About 70% of those who are eligible to vote in the Santa Clara county have registered to vote in the June 3 state primaries.
Voter registration data for Santa Clara County
| Democratic | Republican | No Party Preference | American Independent | Green | Libertarian | Peace and Freedom | Registered | Eligible |
| 358,182 | 179,892 | 232,138 | 16,541 | 4,150 | 4,893 | 2,135 | 799,385 | 1,149,999 |
| 44.81% | 22.50% | 29.04% | 2.07% | 0.52% | 0.61% | 0.27% | 69.51% | Santa Clara |
The state Assembly race in the 28th district also generates a lot of interest among Asian voters. As City Councilor, Barry Chang (Democratic) successfully pushed for a resolution again Senate Constitution Amendment 5 (SCA5) on March 17. Cupertino remains the only city in the state that has passed resolution against SCA5, which would lift the state’s constitution ban on affirmative actions in public university admissions.
The other three candidate for state Assembly race in the 28th district are CHUCK PAGE, Councilmember/Businessman, Republican (市議員/商人), MICHAEL HUNSWECK, Semiconductor Chip Engineer, Republican (半導體芯片工程師), and EVAN LOW, City Councilmember/Educator, Democratic (市議員/教育工作者).
Higher than usual voter turnout by Asian Americans are expected thanks to voter registration drives by organizations like Silicon Valley Chinese Association (SVCA). This could have a big impact on the outcome of the primaries that typically suffer low voter turnout in mid-term elections.
In the state’s open primary system, qualified candidates from all political parties share the same ballot. Voters should vote for only ONE candidate for each position. The top two candidates for each position will make to the general elections on Nov. 4.
Cupertino Elections Info
General Municipal Elections are held in November of even numbered years. The elected officers of the City of Cupertino consist of five Council members who are elected “at large” to overlapping four-year terms. The offices of Mayor and Vice Mayor are filled annually by election of the Council members.
NOVEMBER 2014 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
A General Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, November 4 to elect three Council members each to a four-year term. Under Cupertino’s term limits, Council members Barry Chang and Mark Santoro are eligible to run for one additional four-year term. Council member Orrin Mahoney has served two consecutive four-year terms and is not eligible to run. Anyone who is 18 years of age, a Cupertino resident, and a registered voter in the City of Cupertino may run for a seat on the City Council.
NOMINATION PERIOD
The nomination period for the November 4 election begins July 14 at 7:30 a.m. and closes August 8 at 4:30 p.m. During this time, Nomination Papers may be issued to eligible candidates by the City Clerk during regular business hours. Cupertino City Hall regular business hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Candidates have until the end of the nomination period to withdraw their Nomination Papers.
If an incumbent fails to file Nomination Papers for his office by August 8 at 4:30 p.m., the nomination period will be extended by five days to August 13 at 5:30 p.m. During this time, any eligible candidate except the incumbent may file Nomination Papers during regular business hours as noted above. Candidates would also have the opportunity to withdraw Nomination Papers during the extension.
The Role of the City Clerk
The Cupertino City Clerk oversees the election process, with particular emphasis on required candidate filings. This includes Nomination Papers, Statements of Economic Interest (also known as Conflict of Interest Statements), and Campaign Finance Disclosure forms.
Prior to soliciting or receiving campaign contributions, a candidate must file a Form 501, Candidate Intention Statement, with the City Clerk. The form is available at the City Clerk’s Office or can be downloaded from the Fair Political Practices Commission website.
To date, the following individuals have filed a Form 501 declaring their intention to run for the Office of City Council in the November 2014 General Municipal Election:
Darcy Paul
Don Sun
You may view the campaign disclosures online or purchase copies at 10 cents per page from the Cupertino City Clerk.
For more information call the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 777-3223, send an email to [email protected], or visit City Hall in person at 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino.
Information for Voters
The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters web site provides county-wide, on-line information about voter registration, candidates’ statements, and ballot measures, as well as a polling place look-up screen and a list of your current elected representatives. That office has paid positions available year-round for poll workers. For more information visit www.sccvote.org or call (408) 299-VOTE (8683).
If you suspect a violation of campaign ethics, please contact the Fair Political Practices Commission, (800) 561-1861.The last day to register to vote in the June 3, 2014 Primary Election is May 19, and the last day to register to vote in the November 4, 2014 General Election is October 6. You must re-register if you have moved since you last voted.
Information for Candidates
If you would like to run for a seat on the City Council, please read the information in the Rules and Regulations for Candidates. Additional candidate information: 2014 Candidate Information.
City Clerk’s Office
City Clerk Grace Schmidt
Deputy City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, California 95014
[email protected]
(408) 777-3223