Polls open today for local voters

Just in case you missed the slew of advertising in newspapers, on TV, radio and online, or haven’t been paying attention to the hundreds of yard signs stuck in the ground in and around Porterville — today is the day to vote in the California Primary Election.

While many Californians have already voted by mail, today the rest of the state will head to the polls to cast votes in contested races including Congress, California’s governor and many others.

Locally, voters also will have a say in determining who moves on in races for U.S. House of Representatives 23rd District; State Assembly 26th District Tulare County Supervisor District 5; and Tulare County Schools Superintendent.

Virginia Gurrola, Dennis Townsend and Juan Figueroa Jr. are the candidates for the District 5 Supervisors race.

Joe Sigala, Warren Gubler and Jack Lavers are trying to unseat Devon Mathis in the State Assembly 26th District race.

The top-two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the November midterm election.

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreuax is running unopposed as is Cass Cook for county Auditor/controller.

Two-person races include Tulare County District Attorney — Matt Darby and incumbent Tim Ward — and county Assessor/clerk — Bradley R. Stailey and incumbent Rolad P. Hill.

Here’s what else you need to know about this important day:

All over California, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Locally, registered voters can also cast votes at the registrar’s office at 5951 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, at the following times:

Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters statewide can check their registration status and find their polling place on the website of the California Secretary of State. Voters in Tulare County can find their polling places on the Registrar of Voters website.

California voters are not required to show identification at a polling place. Proof of identification may be required in some cases for those voting for the first time, however. Here’s what the Secretary of State’s website says about that:

“If you are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and did not provide your driver license number, California identification number or the last four digits of your social security number on your registration form, you may be asked to show a form of identification when you go to the polls.

In this case, be sure to bring identification with you to your polling place or include a copy of it with your vote-bymail ballot. A copy of a recent utility bill, the sample ballot booklet you received from your county elections office or another document sent to you by a government agency are examples of acceptable forms of identification. Other acceptable forms of identification include your passport, driver license, official state identification card, or student identification card showing your name and photograph.”

In Tulare County, those voting in person are allowed to bring their sample ballots, which can be found online at tularecoelections.org.

Election results in California are expected to be released starting at 8 p.m. today.