With the 2022 Normal Election shortly approaching, California voters are wanting to know the place candidates stand on the problems that matter most.
One high-profile race is that of Secretary of State, a place tasked with safeguarding the state’s elections, enterprise packages, data expertise and past.
Place overview
This workplace holder must be devoted to making sure authorities is clear and accessible. A number of the prime tasks of California Secretary of State embrace:
— Sustaining enterprise filings with accuracy
— Defending the State Archives
— Implementing digital submitting of marketing campaign and lobbyist monetary data
— Serving because the state’s Chief Elections Officer
— Serving as a trustee of the California Museum
— Working the Protected at House confidential deal with program
— Sustaining the Home Companions and Advance Well being Care Directive Registries
In figuring out who’s most match for this position, voters must know what prime priorities the candidates are selling. Voters additionally must know the way the elected official would collaborate with county election officers, the governor and the state’s legislature.
Candidates vying for the seat
Two candidates are on the Nov. 8 ticket: incumbent Democrat Shirley Weber and Republican challenger Robert Bernosky.
Shirley Weber
Backgrounder
Shirley Weber was born right into a household of Arkansas sharecroppers, who later fled to the Golden State to flee Jim Crow-era violence.
Earlier than leaping into politics, Weber taught on the faculty stage for practically 4 many years. She retired from San Diego State College, the place she served as division chair for Africana Research. Weber then had a brief keep on the native college board earlier than changing into a California Assemblymember.
Weber then turned the primary African American to ever maintain the position of California Secretary of State after being tapped by Gov. Gavin Newsom, following his appointment of Alex Padilla to the U.S. Senate in 2021.
On the problems
In keeping with interview questions shared by CalMatters, Weber stated her prime priorities for the submit embrace operating protected and honest elections, whereas making voting extra accessible and rising the quantity registered voters in California.
The Democrat added she intends to work intently with the governor and Legislature “to craft laws to enhance voting rights.” A couple of key areas she talked about embrace voter listing upkeep, poll return processes and the state’s recall course of.
When requested by CalMatters how she intends to collaborate with county election officers, Weber stated retaining common communication on elections, procedures and insurance policies will assist guarantee she is doing the whole lot to “run protected, honest, accessible elections.”
Fundraising and endorsements
Weber has raised roughly $1.5 million via direct contributions, CalMatters knowledge exhibits. As of Oct. 17, there have been no reported impartial expenditures.
The incumbent has obtained endorsements from the next statewide elected officers: Gov. Gavin Newsom, Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Legal professional Normal Rob Bonta, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Controller Betty Yee, Superintendent Tony Thurmond, Insurance coverage Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Malia Cohen, the Chair of the California State Board of Equalization.
Weber additionally has been publicly endorsed by 27 members of the California State Legislature, eight congressional elected officers and at the very least three mayors inside the state.
Robert Bernosky
Backgrounder
Robert Bernosky is a Californian and a longtime businessman in company America. He describes himself as a profession Chief Monetary Officer, which seems to be the case as he has led practically half a dozen corporations starting from medical analysis to semiconductors and even sweet.
His first stab at coming into the political world occurred in 2010 and 2012 when he ran for the Meeting. He was defeated in each elections.
Shortly after, Bernosky was elected because the GOP chairperson for San Benito County. In 2021, he was chosen to fill this position one other time. On this place, the Republican has referred to as on his social gathering to hone in on native issues and provides additional consideration to down poll races.
Different political roles embrace the Central Coast’s regional vice chairperson to the state GOP, which he held from 2016 to 2020. Bernosky additionally served as a delegate to the RNC in 2016 and 2020.
On the problems
Bernosky advised CalMatters his prime priorities for the submit embrace doing no matter is important to make sure voters imagine voter rolls are clear and elections are honest. He intends to make statements on areas of concern and clarify what’s being achieved to enhance them.
The Republican added he intends to make Secretary of State’s workplace “extra customer-service oriented” for election-related inquires and enterprise pursuits.
When requested by CalMatters how he intends to collaborate with county election officers, Bernosky stated he want to “encourage uniformity as a lot as potential in all parts of the election course of.” He defined that finest practices must be put into place for all counties within the state, which he plans to broadly encourage.
Fundraising and endorsements
Bernosky has raised $0 for his marketing campaign, CalMatters knowledge exhibits. As of Oct. 17, there have been no reported impartial expenditures. He entered the race eventually minute.
The Republican challenger has been endorsed by the California Farm Bureau Federation and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Affiliation.
When, the place and easy methods to vote
Californians who want to forged their vote within the 2022 Secretary of State election have to be registered by Oct. 24. Hopeful voters can full the method at by filling out a California on-line voter registration software.
Energetic registered voters can anticipate to obtain a vote-by-mail poll for the Nov. 8 Normal Election.
As soon as obtained, registered voters can return their vote-by-mail poll through mail with pay as you go postage. The returned poll have to be postmarked on or earlier than Election Day and obtained by Nov. 15.
Another choice for voters is to drop off their vote-by-mail poll in-person to a safe poll drop field or their nation elections workplace. This have to be achieved by 8 p.m. on Nov. 8. Voters can discover their closest drop field through the use of this voting data instrument.
For these wishing to vote in-person, it may be achieved on or earlier than Election Day. County elections workplaces provide early voting with some counties providing further places.
Polls are set to open Nov. 8 at 7 a.m. and can shut at 8 p.m. Voters can discover their polling location by referring to the Voter Data Information mailed to their residence deal with or through the use of this voting data instrument. Voters can even textual content Vote to GOVOTE (468683) or name (800) 345-VOTE (8683).
Within the meantime, Weber and Bernosky are set to go head-to-head this election cycle in hopes of commanding the workplace of California Secretary of State.
