See 2024 primary election results for Stockton mayor, city council, board of supervisors

Staff
Updated ·7 min read
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Election Day is here and that means Record reporters will be hard at work covering local races.

On Tuesday and throughout the week, subscribers can find results for both state and local races in print and online.

Primary election results will be published after the first round of results are released after 8 p.m. Tuesday by the registrar of voters. Because of deadlines, print subscribers can expect election coverage in Thursday's edition.

Readers will also hear from local voters and the issues they care about the most throughout Tuesday.

Did California’s Proposition 1 pass? It's too soon to say and here's why

Eager to learn whether California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $6.4 billion mental health funding measure has been approved or rejected by voters? Don’t hold your breath.

Early results Wednesday afternoon show a 50.2% "yes" narrowly edging out a 49.8% "no" vote, with fewer than 15,000 votes tipping the scale. California has a lengthy ballot processing and confirmation timeline, and given the tight margin, reliable calls on the race may take some time.

Why is that the case?

County elections officials can begin opening and processing vote-by-mail ballot envelopes up to 29 days before an election day, and those results are released when polls close. One would think this gives election workers a head start in the counting process, but Californians overwhelmingly vote by mail, and had until March 5 in this case to have their ballots postmarked. The sheer volume of ballots to wade through can be massive. In the past three elections, nearly 90% of votes were cast by mail. If turnout is anything like 2022, that amounts to nearly 10 million ballots.

Over the next few days, election workers will sort through ballots to confirm each voter's registration status, verify signatures and ensure each person did not vote elsewhere – all before the vote is counted. In addition to vote-by-mail ballots, in-person and provisional ballots, conditional ballots from day-of voter registration, and ballots too damaged for machines to read must be processed.

The California Secretary of State will report some time Thursday or Friday how many ballots are still uncounted. Certification date for the primary election is April 12.

−Kathryn Palmer

Patti, Fugazi take early leads in Stockton Mayor race

The second round of results have been released.

Early election results show Stockton mayoral candidate Tom Patti in the lead with 34% of the vote. Not far behind Patti are candidates Christina Fugazi and Dan Wright. Only 776 votes separate Fugazi and Wright, so far.

The Stockton City Council races are tight with only District 2 candidate Mariela Ponce taking a strong lead with 40% of the vote. Her opponents, Waqar Rizvi and Anthony Silva, are nearly tied with 23% and 22% of the vote.

Over 55,000 ballots scanned so far

Around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Registrar of Voters Olivia Hale said that voting in the county is going smoothly and did not anticipate any issues.

"It's a lower turnout from what they're telling us, but we've been pretty busy today so I'll know more after everything comes back from the polls tonight," Hale said.

The registrar noted that election workers have scanned over 55,000 ballots that are going to get recorded late Tuesday.

Stockton residents head to the polls on Super Tuesday

Before the noonday rush, Edith Izaguirre, 42, dropped her ballot off at the Cesar Chavez High School polling location.

Izaguirre has lived in Stockton for 12 years. While she said she isn't following a specific local race, Izaguirre cast her ballot because she believes her vote counts.

“It's important because the citizens have an input on how we want our city officials to run or make decisions for us," she said. "And also, we want to see a change."

Izaguirre did voice her concern about Stockton's unhoused population.

"There's a lot of homeless. That's my priority right now," she said. "I want to make sure we select the appropriate candidates to make those decisions.”

By 6 p.m., the El Concilio polling location had counted 30 ballots, which included drop-off and in-person ballots.

Cesar Chavez High School was one of many polling locations in Stockton on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Cesar Chavez High School was one of many polling locations in Stockton on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

South Stockton votes

At the Kennedy Community Center polling place in southeast Stockton, voter Earl Guydry shared his philosophy about elections: "If you don't vote, don't complain."

"And if you want to make a change? Run (for office)," Guydry added.

By about 5:30 p.m., roughly 25 people had passed through the small polling location — most to drop off their finished ballots, clerk Jaylin De La Santos said. There was a steady stream of voters throughout the day, she said.

"I'm just used to voting," Guydry said. He said he'd made sure to sit his kids down and talk to them about the importance of voting.

They've moved out of state, but they still vote, Guydry said. Polls close at 8 p.m.

San Joaquin County: When will election results be posted?

In-person voting in California closes at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked by March 5. First results based on early voting tallies are expected to be released shortly after polls close at 8 p.m. for both San Joaquin County races and statewide races.

Record staff will update its 2024 San Joaquin County Primary Election results page when registrar of voters releases updated results throughout the week. Results for Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 3 and San Joaquin County Board of Education Area 5 will also be available on the results page.

Reporters will provide coverage of the following local elections:

Congressional races to watch in California

Despite its reputation as a liberal bastion, California is in the crosshairs of both Democrat and Republican parties this year, as the state lines up to hold what could be the most decisive U.S. House races in the country. USA Today elections fellow Kathryn Palmer offers a detailed look at the hottest races in California that will be must-follow on in the November General Election.

One race that is seen as a toss-up is in Congressional District 41, with incumbent Rep. Ken Calvert challenged by Democrat Will Rollins in a rematch from the 2022 election. Democrat Nurse Anna Nevenic is also on the ballot.

–Kathryn Palmer

Why does California elect local judges? How to get more information

Of all the races on your ballot, the least information is often available on local judges. Here are some ways to find out more about these candidates.

–CalMatters

California’s Prop 1 proposes billions for mental health services

California voters are faced with a single statewide proposition on their primary ballots this cycle, intended to funnel billions toward the state’s mental health and homelessness crisis.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Proposition 1, spearheaded by Gov. Gavin Newsom, would authorize the state to borrow $6.38 billion in bonds to fund the creation and expansion of mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities with a focus on helping those at risk of, or are presently, experiencing homelessness.

The governor’s office predicts the measure will add 11,150 new treatment beds and supportive housing units and add 26,00 outpatient spots. About $1 billion is to be set aside specifically for veterans’ housing.

Recent statewide polling found the proposition is supported by 59% of likely voters, down from 68% in November.

  • Supporters say the measure is a needed source of new funding to help the state's homeless population and buttress existing mental health services.

  • Opponents decry its cost and argue it would step on existing programs geared toward helping people with substance abuse and mental health challenges.

−Kathryn Palmer

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: 2024 primary election results for Stockton mayor, city council