Tuesday is Election Day for the 2018 midterms, and the following is a rundown of news stories for Santa Ana residents about the race for mayor and City Council, a proposed sales tax increase, and other items on the ballot.
[Click here for Voice of OC election guides elsewhere in the county.]
Turnout is expected to be higher than usual for this type of election, after the June primary saw 78 percent higher voter participation countywide than the prior midterm primary in 2014. A handful of votes can end up deciding local elections when the results are close.
Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and voters can also drop off their mail-in ballot at their polling place or mail it in to the county Registrar of Voters.
To download a preview of what your ballot will show, click here. More information on polling places and voting can be found at ocvote.com.
Santa Ana Mayor and City Council
Overview of the race and candidates:
X-City of Santa Ana, General Sales Tax Measure
Summary: A yes vote would increase sales taxes from the current 7.75 percent to 9.25 percent of each sale. It is estimated to bring in an estimated $63 million extra to the city each year.
Z-City of Santa Ana, Charter Amendment Measure
Summary: A yes vote would, among other things, delete city charter provisions that limit officials from soliciting or receiving campaign money and gifts from people with decisions before the city, and grants the City Council the ability to increase or eliminate them.
AA-City of Santa Ana, By-Ward Elections
Summary: A yes vote would change Santa Ana’s voting system from at-large to district-based voting starting with the following city election, in November 2020.
Y-Commercial Cannabis Business License Tax
Summary: A yes vote would set marijuana business license taxes, and lets City Council increase or decrease them.
District Attorney-Public Administrator
Overview of the race and candidates:
- Rackauckas and Spitzer Face Off Tuesday in DA Election Showdown (Voice of OC)
- Election: Political, personal enemies Rackauckas and Spitzer square off for D.A. (Voice of OC)
Sheriff-Coroner
Overview of the race and candidates:
- OC Sheriff Election A Referendum on Embattled Department (Voice of OC)
- Sheriff’s Battles (video interview with the three primary election candidates) (PBS SoCal)
- On OC: Duke Nguyen Talks about Running for OC Sheriff (Podcast, Voice of OC)
United States Representative, 48th District
This district includes part of Santa Ana west of the Santa Ana River.
Overview of the race and candidates:
- Longtime Congressman Rohrabacher Faces Democrat Challenger Rouda Nov. 6 (Voice of OC)
- NYT Poll: Rep. Rohrabacher Tied With Democrat Rouda in 48th District (Voice of OC)
- Rep. Dana Rohrabacher Debates Democratic Challenger Harley Rouda for First Time (Voice of OC)
- Rohrabacher and Rouda Fight Over Notes Before First Debate (Voice of OC)
For more information, please visit visit our 2018 elections page.