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Orange County Coronavirus

How Coronavirus Will Affect OC Special Elections This Year

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

Ballots are processed on March 3, 2020, at the Orange County Registrar of Voters in Santa Ana. The ballots are then categorized with their respective precincts.

By Brandon Pho and Noah Biesiada | March 26, 2020
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A number of special elections and ballot initiatives will push on in Orange County despite local closures and government orders to limit public interactions, though county elections officials say civic engagement this year will have to work around health guidelines for social distancing.


Editor’s Note: As Orange County’s only nonprofit & nonpartisan newsroom, Voice of OC brings you the best, most comprehensive local Coronavirus news absolutely free. No ads, no paywalls. We need your help. Please, click here to make a tax-deductible donation today to support your local news.


County Registrar of Voters officials say two politically-charged special recall elections in Santa Ana and Westminster will proceed on their set election dates as scheduled, and they’re still on track to finish certifying a referendum movement against a controversial apartments project in Santa Ana, as well as a movement to relocate a planned Veteran’s Cemetery in Irvine.

But in-person voting has been cancelled for the April 7 Westminster recall election while OC Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley and Santa Ana officials say they’re still deciding whether a May 19 special recall election in Santa Ana will follow suit.

“The generalized use of in-person voting may present risks to public health and safety in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and could risk undermining social distancing measures imposed by the State Public Health Officer, as well as other aspects of the response to COVID-19,” said Kelley, in a statement sent out March 23 cancelling plans for three vote centers for the Westminster special election.

Now voters can only participate in the Westminster election — where voters will decide whether to vote out and replace Westminster City Council members Kimberly Ho, Charlie Nguyen and Mayor Tri Ta — by mailing in their ballot.

The three comprise a majority faction on the council that’s been accused of a number of ethical violations throughout their terms and are opposed by a political group called Westminster United, comprised of Westminster residents and backed financially by a wealthy Vietnamese American entrepreneur named Kieu Hoang.

Kelley said the registrar had already received over 5,000 mail-in ballots from the Westminster elections in a phone call with Voice of OC on Friday last week.


To understand more about the Westminster special recall election’s political context and those involved, click here, here, and here. To view a list of all the candidates seeking to replace the majority faction on the council, click here.


Westminster voters can drop off their ballot at one of three ballot drop boxes, at the following locations, by 8:00 p.m. on April 7:

  • Korean Martyrs Catholic Center, 7655 Trask Avenue, (Btwn Hoover St. & Beach Blvd.)
  • Park West Park, 8301 West McFadden Street, (Btwn Beach Blvd. & Newland St.)
  • West County Professional and Medical Center, 14120 Beach Boulevard, (South of Westminster Blvd.; enter on 15 St.)

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

The Westminster City Council at its March 27, 2019 meeting.

Meanwhile, cancelling in-person voting for the Santa Ana special election — where voters will decide whether Santa Ana Councilwoman Ceci Iglesias should be voted out and replaced — is “a possibility,” said Kelley to Voice of OC on Tuesday, adding that he’s “working with the state” to figure out what will happen.

“If that occurs, we will message via releases and social media,” he said.

“At this time (Kelley) believes that the election is still far out enough to consider the 5/19 special election,” said Santa Ana City Clerk Daisy Gomez on Tuesday.


Click here to see a list of and information about all the candidates running in the Santa Ana recall election.


Voters across Santa Ana will decide Iglesias’ fate on the council in the May 19 recall election, which was put on the ballot through a signature-gathering campaign financed mainly by the city’s police union.

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

Councilwoman Ceci Iglesias (left) at a Council meeting on Nov. 19.

The police union’s president, Gerry Serrano, has openly clashed with Iglesias as she took a series of positions against what the union wanted. Among the most high-profile was her vote in February last year against $25 million in raises for police officers that did not have an approved funding source. He’s denied supporting the recall over her opposition to the pay raises.

As for whether the November general election will be impacted, “We are in early discussions with the state,” Kelley said.

“The Secretary of State has set up a task force to examine the issues and I’ve been asked to serve on that,” he added. “Everything is early at this point in terms of plans.”

Referendum on 2525 N. Main St. Apartments

Meanwhile, Kelley said his office is still on schedule to verify a Santa Ana referendum petition — aimed at turning a decision over to Santa Ana voters on whether to approve a much-contested apartments project at 2525 N. Main St. — by April 6.

Kelley said his office is “still on track for that date.”

If the paperwork holds up to county officials’ review, it would put the fate of the project in voters’ hands.

The 256-unit apartment project — after much scaling down by a local development group– was approved for a second and final time by a thin 4-3 Council majority in January. Council members Phil Bacerra, Juan Villegas and Mayor Miguel Pulido were the “No” votes.

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

Lawn signs in Park Santiago neighborhood in Santa Ana.

The apartment project has become the center of a years-long debate in Santa Ana over the role of developers in city politics. Specifically, the developers behind the project were publicly tied by Villegas last year to more than $320,000 in dark money spent — money spent from undisclosed sources — on the 2018 citywide elections.

Ryan Ogulnick, who’s been the public face of the developer side of the project, has repeatedly denied his involvement in the dark money campaign.

Ballot Initiative to Relocate Irvine Veterans Cemetery

County elections officials are also counting signatures on a local ballot initiative submitted by residents seeking to relocate a veterans cemetery in Irvine.

The Irvine City Council last July voted to place the planned cemetery in the Great Park, at what was originally supposed to be a golf course.

But an organization called Build the Great Park Veterans Cemetery instead asked that the cemetery be relocated to an alternate 125-acre site, amid arguments on both sides for which sites could receive additional funding from the state.

They managed to collect over 19,000 signatures, 7,000 more than the requirement to place the initiative on the ballot. Kelley said that the registrar has until April 28 to verify the signatures, and that it will take most of that time to verify them.

If the signatures are verified, it could be placed on the general election ballot in November.

Currently the county doesn’t have a veterans’ cemetery, with the closest locations in Riverside and San Diego counties.

There’s one in Los Angeles, but there aren’t anymore burials taking place because it’s been filled.

Brandon Pho is a Voice of OC reporting fellow. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter @photherecord. 

Noah Biesiada is a Voice of OC reporting fellow. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter @NBiesiada.

How can I sign up for a vaccine?

For full details on the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County view our Voice of OC vaccine page that is constantly updated and has links of where to register for an appointment: http://bit.ly/occovidvaccine.

What is COVID-19? Do I have it?

INFORMATION View the CDC website. View OC's website. View the latest OC case counts.

TRANSLATIONS See the county's guides in non-English languages. Learn key Coronavirus facts in Vietnamese and Spanish via VietRise. See VietRISE guides in Spanish and Vietnamese.

PROTECTION To limit exposure, the CDC recommends: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with others, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when around others, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

SYMPTOMS The CDC identifies these key symptoms that can occur any time between 2 and 14 days after exposure: Fever or chills, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches,  headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. If you suspect Coronavirus, CALL your primary medical provider.

EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS If you display any of the following emergency warning signs, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.

RISK The CDC identifies people most at risk for serious illness: Older adults, and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

What is open?

RESIDENTS The County of Orange offers a list of notices and news on what guidance is given for families and persons.

SCHOOLS The latest information for the county is available from the Orange County Board of Education.

STATE GUIDE TO WHAT IS OPEN A full list of statewide guidelines for what is open and what is closed.

SOCIAL DISTANCING Staying away from other people is called "social distancing." The aim is to SLOW the spread of Coronavirus so as to not overwhelm the nation's health care systems and so that people in need can get help. The Washington Post explains: "The spread (of COVID-19) can be slowed, public health professionals say, if people practice "social distancing" by avoiding public spaces and generally limiting their movement."

What support is available?

STRESS & ANXIETY Stress and anxiety can be triggered by the situation and resources are available to help from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and from the American Psychology Association. Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious, here are tips on talking with children about COVID-19.

MENTAL HEALTH The County of Orange offers a list of available mental health support services.

FIRST RESPONDERS The County of Orange offers these support services for first responders and health care workers.

BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS The County of Orange offers a list of up-to-date guidelines for business and faith-based/community organizations.

FOOD ASSISTANCE Voice of OC offers a weekly list of available food pantries in Orange County. You can also apply for food benefits over the phone through the CalFresh program at 800-281-9799 or online.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Buses and trains still offer service, but routes have been reduced so make sure to check your route ahead of time.

HOMELESSNESS The County of Orange offers a list of available shelter beds and other resources.

GENERAL FINANCIAL HELP Here are some services:

  •   • Find information on unemployment and disability benefits.
  •   • The Orange County Social Services Agency, despite closing its lobby, is processing online filings for assistance programs. This includes emergency cash assistance for immediate needs like rent or medical bills. The phone line has averaged a 30 minute wait time and offers a callback service, but people are encouraged to apply for benefits online.
  •   • Residents can apply for any of these programs by calling 800-281-9799.

RESTAURANT OWNERS & EMPLOYEES You can find a detailed list of resources available to restaurant owners and employees

How can I help?

VOLUNTEERING A statewide guide offers examples of ways to volunteer safely during Coronavirus. Options include, but are not limited to: donating plasma, making cloth face masks and supporting local food banks. Orange County's Second Harvest Food Bank lists support options online.

DONATIONS An Orange County Community Resilience Fund has been started through the OC Community Foundation to raise money for local nonprofits and volunteer organizations.

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RELATED STORIES:

  • Early Recall Election Results Show Westminster Council Majority Likely to Stay in Office

    More than 700 ballots remain to be counted, though recall election results Tuesday night showed a clear majority of voters chose to keep Westminster City Council members Kimberly Ho, Charlie Nguyen, and Mayor Tri Ta in office.

  • Billionaire Spending on OC Elections Denies Intentional Wrongdoing, State Probes Activities

    Kieu Hoang and his lawyer have denied all wrongdoing, amid a state probe into his campaign activities in local OC elections centering on Little Saigon.

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