The announcement that Democratic Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher was selected to serve as Undsersecretary of State has county pols hopping with rumors and guesses. But no one knows yet when the Special Election to fill Tauscher’s vacant seat will be held.
Steve Weir, County Clerk, sent this report:
“Governor calls a Special Vacancy Election: 14 days after vacancy (EC10700) [Assume vacancy is when appointment is announced.]
“Election Day: 112 days to 126 days after Gov. Proclamation (EC 10703)
Special Primary Date: Eight Tuesdays before the Special Election Date (EC 10704) [Provisions for holding on the 9th Tues. before is the 8th Tues. is a state holiday or the day following a state holiday.]
“Nomination Period: E-63 days to E-43 days before the Primary date. (EC 10704)
“Signatures in Lieu of Filing Fee Petitions: Shall be made available 5 days after the creation of the vacancy. [EC8106 (b)]
“As of 3/17/2009 there are 251,515 registered voters in the 10th Congressional District in Contra Costa County, this represents 48% of our total registration in the County.
“The 10th Congressional also goes into Alameda, Sacramento and Solano Counties.
“Special Primary:
All candidates listed on one ballot for the Primary. (EC 10705) [All parties and independent candidates run on same ballot. If any candidate receives a majority of all votes cast, he or she is declared elected and no General shall be held.]
“Special General:
If no candidate receives a majority of votes cast at the Special Primary, then the name of the candidate of each qualified party who receives the most votes for all candidates of that party shall go on the Special General ballot. The name of each candidate who qualified by independent nomination shall go on the Special General ballot unless two or more are registered with the same party, then only the candidate with the greatest votes shall go on the ballot.
“We cannot determine the dates of the nomination period until the Special General is called so we can determine when the Special Primary will be. We are attempting to get a verification on the filing fee and the number of signatures in lieu of the filing fee. If potential candidates contact our office we will compile a list and call or e-mail them as soon as we have more information. Attached is an information sheet minus some of the specific dates and numbers.”
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This should make 2009 all the more interesting! The GOP has nothing to lose, and everything to gain in this one. Nick Gerber actually did better than I thought he would do in November, regarding his total number of votes received, which can be considered a positive sign. If the Republican Party can get a true Conservative to run for this seat, it could end up being a lot closer than people would think. This is a great chance for the GOP! We must capitalize.
http://www.alamedagop.org/