LAKE COUNTY — Five months before the March 3, 2020 presidential primary and 13 months before the Nov. 3 election, candidates for Lake County positions are beginning to line up at the gate.
Up for grabs in Lake County this election cycle are three county supervisor seats—Districts 1, 4 and 5—and one superior court judgeship in Department 2. (District 2 and 3 supervisors Bruno Sabatier and E.J. Crandell have each secured their jobs until 2022.)
The county began accepting signatures for petitions in lieu of filing for candidacy—the first chance potential candidates have to get their names on the books for the March primary—on Sep. 12. Those still interested in adding their names to this list can do so until Nov. 6 by visiting the registrar of voters at the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport.
Then, beginning Nov. 12, would-be candidates can officially declare their candidacy with the county. The last day to file for these declarations is Dec. 6. Lake County Registrar of Voters Catherine McMullen said this week that her office will forego its typical Friday closure to remain open to the public on that day until 5 p.m.
As of this Wednesday, four had entered their names with intent to file for candidacy in the aforementioned supervisor races, according to McMullen, though it’s still too early to assume no more candidates will get on board.
No one had signed for their intent to run for the District 1 seat currently held by vice chair Moke Simon, McMullen said.
In District 4, incumbent Tina Scott, the current chair of the board of supervisors, was up against fellow Lakeport resident Chris Almind.
In District 5, where incumbent Rob Brown has signaled he’s not planning to run for re-election, the two candidates who’ve signed with the registrar have gained early visibility with public announcements of their intent to run: Cobb resident Jessica Pyska and Kelseyville resident Lily Woll.
The Department 2 judgeship at the Lake County Superior Court, currently held by Hon. Michael Lunas, was so far uncontested.
And at least two Lake County residents intend to run for state and federal-level positions. Matthew Nelson, who has spoken recently at a Lake County Republican Party meeting, has entered his name for California State Assembly District 4.
McMullen noted that one John Tyler had entered his name for the U.S. Congress House of Representatives candidacy, but had not specified whether he’d be running for district 3 or 5, both of which cover parts of Lake County.
McMullen said a “candidate handbook” is available online at the Lake County government website for general information about candidacy during the current election. McMullen has also posted information on that website (www.lakecountyca.gov) including a rundown of voter and candidate registration timelines.
Voter information guides will be mailed out by McMullen’s office in late January or early February, she noted. On Feb. 3, vote-by-mail ballots will be sent.
Voters across California can register to vote in the March 3 primary at www.registertovote.ca.gov. McMullen noted that voter registration cards are also available at the Lake County Courthouse, any county library, and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Voter registrations must be completed online or postmarked by Feb. 17, 2020, according to the office of the California Secretary of State.
The Lake County Registrar of Voters can be reached at (707) 263-2372, and is located in the Lake County Courthouse at 255 North Forbes St., Lakeport.
