South OC Election Guide for November 2018

Tuesday is Election Day for the 2018 midterms, and the following is a rundown of news stories for South Orange County residents about races for the 45th, 48th and 49th Congressional Districts, district attorney and sheriff.

[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.

United States Representative, 45th District

Cities in this district: Lake Forest, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita, and portions of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, Laguna Woods and Laguna Hills.

Overview of the race and candidates:

• Rep. Mimi Walters Battles Katie Porter in Close 45th Congressional District Race (Voice of OC)
• 45th District: Rep. Mimi Walters and Katie Porter (LA Times)

United States Representative, 48th District

Cities in this district: Seal Beach to Laguna Niguel, east into parts of Westminster and Garden Grove. It also includes Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Beach.

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)

United States Representative, 49th District

Cities in this district: San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente, as well as the west side of San Diego county, north of La Jolla.

Overview of the race and candidates:

• Republican Harkey Faces Democrat Levin in 49th CD Nov. 6 (Voice of OC)
• Sen. Bernie Sanders Stumps for 49th Congressional District candidate Mike Levin (Voice of OC)

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)

For more information, please visit visit our 2018 elections page.

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