79th Assembly District voting to start Monday

Voters in the 79th California Assembly District will receive mail ballots for the special primary election starting Monday, and they will be able to cast their ballots in person as early as Monday.

The San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office announced it is sending more than 300,000 mail-in ballots to voters in the district, which encompasses southeastern San Diego, the cities of La Mesa and Lemon Grove, and parts of Chula Vista, Bonita, and National City.

Residents of the assembly district may receive ballots as soon as Monday, along with a sample ballot, a voter information pamphlet and an “I Voted” sticker, the registrar’s office stated.

Voters can return completed ballots through the Postal Service using the prepaid envelopes included with the ballot at any Postal Service office or collection box. They can track its receipt online at “Where’s My Ballot?”

Or they can vote in person. Early voting in person will begin Monday at the registrar’s office on 5600 Overland Ave. in Kearny Mesa. The office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Starting March 29 voters also can return their ballots at drop-off locations around the district. The locations will be posted on the registrar’s website on Monday.

Pandemic rules apply for voting in person or dropping off ballots in person. People must wear face masks and practice social distancing, the registrar’s office said.

On Election day, April 6, in-person voting also will be open at the registrar’s office and at local polling places between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each voter’s assigned polling place is listed inside their mail ballot packet or can be searched online at the registrar’s website.

The special election was called after Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed former State Rep. Shirley Weber to the position of California secretary of state, leaving her seat vacant.

There are five candidate running in the primary, including Republican Marco Contreras and Democrats Aeiramique Glass Blake, Leticia Munguia, Shane Suzanne Parmely and Dr. Akilah Weber, daughter of the former assemblywoman.

For more information about the election, visit sdvote.com or call (858) 565-5800.