Coronavirus: All voters to receive mail ballots in runoff election to succeed Rep. Katie Hill

Sam Metz
USA Today Network
Christy Smith and Mike Garcia are running for a two-year term in the 25th Congressional District.

To help contain the spread of coronavirus, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday that all voters in Congressional District 25 should receive ballots in the mail ahead of May 12 special election triggered by the resignation of Rep. Katie Hill, D-Agua Dulce.

"Whereas hundreds of local governments across the state have also declared states of emergency, imposed or recommended social distancing, and taken other significant steps in response to COVID-19," Newsom wrote in an executive order released Friday evening. The special election shall "be held as an all-mail ballot election."

With the decision, California joins jurisdictions throughout the country that are adapting their procedures to minimize health risks associated with in-person voting. Seven states and Puerto Rico have postponed their presidential primary elections.

Although all voters will receive mail ballots, there will be a limited number of polling places for voters in need of day-of assistance or replacement ballots.

"As we work collectively to flatten the curve, providing every voter the option to vote at home, while maintaining social distance, is a no-brainer. Vote-by-mail is a critical component of election access during this health pandemic, but it cannot stand alone," Secretary of State Alex Padilla said after Newsom's announcement. "Governor Newsom's order also calls on counties to maintain in-person voting options for voters who need assistance, including participating in Same-Day Registration."

The results have yet to be certified from the March 3 primary election, but the top-two vote-getters poised to advance to the May 12 runoff are Assemblywoman Christy Smith, D-Santa Clarita, and Republican Navy veteran Mike Garcia. Smith emerged as the top vote-getter with 36.1% of the electorate and Garcia trailed in second with 25.4% of the electorate. However, Democratic candidates received 50.6% of the vote and Republicans 49.4% of the vote in the primary race.

Both Smith and Garcia have adopted new tactics to campaign since the virus begun spreading in the 25th District, which encompasses parts of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, including Simi Valley, Antelope Valley and Santa Clarita Valley.

"Voters still deserve to know where their candidates stand on the issues. Next week, I will be holding tele-town halls on America's economy in the AV, Simi Valley and SCV," Garcia wrote on Twitter on March 13.

In a statement provided to the Los Angeles Daily News earlier in the week, Smith's campaign also said it was making efforts to change the way their campaign operates amid the virus.

“She has instructed her campaign to take concerted steps to ensure the safety of the community, volunteers and staff," a campaign representative said.

Sam Metz covers politics. Reach him at samuel.metz@desertsun.com or on Twitter @metzsam.