Elections dates announced; ballot loaded

EL CENTRO — The county Elections Department has released its calendar of events for the June 7 primary, which will have several major state and local races on the ballot.

Petition-in-lieu of filing fee forms may be obtained from Elections from Jan. 3 to Feb. 9. Candidates may obtain and file a declaration of candidacy from Feb. 14 to March 11. If an incumbent does not file during that time there will be a filing extension for that office for non-incumbents until March 16.

Some of the top offices on the ballot will be those now held by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, state Attorney General Rob Bonta, and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, who is completing the term of Vice President Kamala Harris.

However, due to still uncompleted state-level redistricting it is not yet known who will be on the ballot in Imperial County for state Senate and Assembly and the U.S. House.

Local seats up for grabs and their current office holders include county District 1 Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar, District 5 Supervisor Raymond Castillo; Imperial Irrigation District Division 1 Alex Cardenas, Division 3 James Hanks and Division 5 Norma Sierra Galindo; District Attorney Gilbert Otero, Assessor Robert Menvielle, and Clerk-Recorder Chuck Storey.

However, IID also has yet to complete its redistricting. The county’s new boundaries are set and only need final approval.

Long-time Sheriff Raymond Loera has announced he will not seek a fifth term and Undersheriff Fred Miramontes has said he will seek the seat. County Auditor-Controller Josue Mercado was convicted last week of misdemeanor disobedience of a court order and county officials have said he faces possible removal from office.