CATHEDRAL CITY – Any race that might surface in this community for the August 27 special election is to date nonexistent. Only one resident has so far filed a Candidate Intention Statement, according to City Clerk Tracey R. Martinez.

Former City Councilmember Shelley Kaplan, who has confirmed to Uken Report that he plans to seek election to the vacant District 1 seat in the August 27 special election, is the sole candidate thus far to file a California Form 501, a Candidate Intention Statement.

Form 501 must be filed before any would-be candidate may solicit or receive any contributions or before he or she makes any expenditures from personal funds on behalf of his or her candidacy.

Kaplan, who served on the City Council from 2014-2018, has also filed California Form 410, a Statement of Organization, with the Secretary of State, according to Martinez.  Residents filing this form are required to do so within 10 days of receiving $2,000 in contributions.

The Nominating Period for the special election is from May 6 through the end of the month.

Kaplan has declined an interview, saying he wants to wait to see who, if anyone, files.

There are rumblings he will have at least one opponent, but no one has yet come forward publicly.

Earlier this year when the City Council sought applications in consideration for an appointment to the City Council, 14 residents applied. Six were from District 1, including Kaplan.

Others from District 1 who applied and could be potential candidate are: They are: Jamie Lynn Birch; Elmer Diaz; Rita Lamb; Rebecca Sameroff Robinson; and Jonathan Patrick Wynne.

Potential candidates can only reside in District 1, must be 18 years of age and registered to vote.

Candidate Statements are optional.

Ballots will be mailed out to all registered voters in District 1 beginning July 29, 2019. There will be no polling places for voting, this will be an all-mail ballot election.

There will be one mail ballot drop-off box at City Hall, 68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, and one at the Registrar of Voters Office, 2724 Gateway Drive in Riverside.

All ballots must be postmarked by August 27, 2019 to be counted. The Registrar of Voters will have 30 days to certify the results.

The person elected in August will serve until November 2020 when the seat is up for election.

The winner of the August special election will serve until November 2020 when Pettis’ term expires.

 

Image Sources

  • Special Election: Shutterstock