The voter registration deadline has passed for the May 12 special election to fill out the remainder of Katie Hill’s term in the 25th Congressional District, which stretches from the Antelope Valley into Ventura County.
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean C. Logan said that if an eligible voter misses the deadline, he or she can still vote in-person at any vote center in the 25th District. All participating vote centers will abide by the state and county’s COVID-19-related public health and safety guidelines, including social distancing, wearing of protective gloves and facial coverings and sanitizing surfaces after every voter.
Democrat Christy Smith and Republican Mike Garcia are in a run-off for the 25th District post and will meet again in a November runoff for the right to fill the seat for the next two years.
Hill, who was in her first term, resigned following the release of salacious photos online and allegations of an extramarital affair with a staff member.
The 350,916 registered voters in the district were recently sent a vote-by-mail ballot in compliance with an executive order by Gov. Gavin Newsom stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder/ County Clerk’s office said vote centers will be opened May 2.
Voters who wish to vote by mail must return their ballots postmarked no later than Election Day. No return postage is required. Voters may also leave ballots at one of 22 drop box locations located throughout the district. A full list of drop boxes, which are open 24/7, is available at lavote.net, where voters can also track the status of their ballots.
Those who prefer election materials translated in Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai or Vietnamese can call (800) 815-2666 and select option 3.
The 25th District is one of several districts ranging from the Antelope Valley to Orange County in which Republicans would like to regain a foothold after a series of defeats in 2018.
Smith has been endorsed by many of the area’s biggest Democratic names, including Sen. Kamala Harris, and by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The assemblywoman’s campaign website touts a variety of priority issues, led by improving public education, ending “corruption in Washington,” boosting support for first-responders and ensuring access to affordable health care.
President Donald Trump last week tweeted his endorsement of Garcia, a former Navy pilot who said he was inspired to run for the seat because Hill “did not represent our moderate district. I have the choice to stand on the sidelines and see what happens but that is not in my DNA. This is an extension of my desire to serve, this time to fight for my district.”
Trump praised Garcia for being “Strong on crime, the border, and second amendment” and said he “will be a tremendous fighter for the U.S. and the state of California.”
Smith finished first in the March 3 primary with 36.1 percent of the vote while Garcia was second with 25.4 percent.
The 25th Congressional District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, and portions of the northern San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley and eastern Ventura County.
