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San Mateo County residents have until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4 to cast their vote in the countywide special election on Measure A. The ballot measure, if passed, will give the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors the power to remove embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus from her position with a four-fifths vote if there is found to be cause for removal.
Mail-in ballots were sent to voters beginning Feb. 3. As of Feb. 28, 75,053 ballots have been returned to the county.
Why is San Mateo County holding a special election?
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted in December to place Measure A on the ballot following the release of a 408-page report from an independent investigation commissioned by the board. The report details alleged corruption, abuse of power and more in Corpus’ administration.
This ballot measure is distinct from a traditional recall election. The measure would alter the county charter to give the Board of Supervisors the ability to remove the Sheriff. The board does not currently have the authority to remove a sheriff or any other elected official from their post.
While supporters of the measure see it as a necessary step toward accountability, critics argue that it undermines voter choice and sets a troubling precedent. Still, some believe that with Corpus refusing to resign, the measure offers the fastest route to address the growing concerns as calls for her removal intensify.
To learn more about the measure and the arguments from supporters and critics of the measure, read this news organization’s Measure A voter guide.
Measure A must be approved by a simple majority of San Mateo County voters to pass. If the measure passes, Corpus would not be removed from her position automatically — the Board of Supervisors would still have to justify a reason to remove her, take a vote to remove her, and she would have to be given an opportunity to defend herself publicly.
If the sheriff’s seat becomes vacant, Undersheriff Dan Perea would immediately begin acting as sheriff. The Board of Supervisors would have 30 days to appoint an interim sheriff or call for a special election to fill the position. If no action is taken, the County Elections Office must schedule a special election. The appointed sheriff would serve the remainder of Corpus’ term.
Should the Measure fail, Corpus may still be removed via a traditional recall process. A recall committee has been formed and is headed by Jim Hartnett, a former Redwood City mayor.
Who can vote in this election?
All registered San Mateo County residents are eligible to vote in this election. Unregistered voters can still vote under “conditional voter registration” until 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you are registered to vote but not at the correct address, you can also re-register and vote conditionally with your new address.
At the vote center, unregistered voters or voters who need to re-register will fill out a paper voter registration or electronic voter registration form. Next, voters will be given a ballot, which will be placed in a special conditional voter registration envelope. The ballots in these envelopes will only be processed once the county elections office has completed the voter registration verification process.
Where to vote on the mid-Peninsula
There are two kinds of places to vote in San Mateo County: vote centers and ballot drop boxes. Vote centers are staffed and are the only places you can vote if you have not registered or did not receive a ballot in the mail. You can also turn in your mail-in ballot at vote centers. Vote centers will be open until 8 p.m. on election day.
San Mateo County residents who received a ballot in the mail can drop them off at ballot drop boxes any time until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Here is where to vote in person:
Atherton
- Atherton Town Hall, 80 Fair Oaks Ln., Atherton, CA, 94027 (indoor ballot drop box).
- Menlo College, Russell Center, 1000 El Camino Real, Atherton, CA, 94027 (vote center and outdoor ballot drop box).
East Palo Alto
- Lewis and Joan Platt East Palo Alto Family YMCA, 500 Bell St., East Palo Alto, CA, 94303 (vote center).
- East Palo Alto Government Center, 2415 University Ave., East Palo Alto, CA, 94303 (outdoor ballot drop box).
La Honda
- La Honda Fire Brigade, 8945 La Honda Rd., La Honda, CA, 94062 (outdoor ballot drop box).
Menlo Park
- Arillaga Family Recreation Center, Sequoia Room, 700 Alma St., Menlo Park, CA, 94025 (vote center).
- Menlo Park City Hall, 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA, 94025 (outdoor ballot drop box).
- Menlo Park Boys & Girls Club, 401 Pierce Rd., Menlo Park, CA, 94025 (outdoor ballot drop box).
- Belle Haven Child Development Center, 410 Ivy Drive, Menlo Park, CA, 94025 (outdoor ballot drop box).
Portola Valley
- Portola Valley Town Center, Community Hall, 765 Portola Rd., Portola Valley, CA, 94028 (vote center and outdoor ballot drop box).
- Sequoia Living Portola Valley, 501 Portola Rd., Portola Valley, CA, 94028 (indoor ballot drop box, subject to facility’s operating hours).
Redwood City
- Redwood City Government Center exterior parking structure, 403 Winslow St., Redwood City, CA, 94063 (outdoor ballot drop box).
- Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder’s office, 555 County Center, Redwood City, CA, 94063 (vote center, indoor and outdoor ballot drop boxes).
- Redwood City, City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Rd., Redwood City, CA, 94063 (outdoor ballot drop box).
- Redwood City Community Activities Building, Room 1, 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City, CA, 94063 (vote center and outdoor ballot drop box).
- Cañada College Lot 4 Bookstore, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City, CA, 94063 (outdoor ballot drop box).
Woodside
- Woodside Town Hall, 2955 Woodside Rd., Woodside, CA, 94062 (outdoor ballot drop box).
- Kings Mountain Fire Brigade 56, 13889 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, CA, 94062 (outdoor ballot drop box).
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