Alameda County voters get 2 ballots after Eric Swalwell resigns
Alameda County voters in Congressional District 14 received eric swalwell ballots for two separate elections after he resigned in April. One ballot was for the statewide primary on Tuesday, and another was for a special election set for June 16.
Cynthia Cornejo explains the split
Cynthia Cornejo, the interim registrar of voters, said the county expected questions and tried to make the materials distinct. “We do have voters calling in, especially after they received their voter guide for the special 14th congressional primary election, and then they already had their June 2 voter guide. And what we did in the planning once this was called was make sure they were very different,” she said.
She said officials sent explanatory letters with the voter materials and used targeted language and messaging so residents would understand why the district received two sets of election paperwork. “I think it all had to do with timing of when the election was called, and we already had the materials out for the June 2,” Cornejo said. “Therefore, it had to be a special election.”
June 2 and June 16 ballots
The two elections serve different terms. The June 2 primary includes longer ballot cards with multiple races and determines the top two candidates who will advance to the November general election for a full two-year term beginning in January. The June 16 special election uses a single 8.5-by-11-inch card and will choose who serves the remainder of the current term through January.
That split left at least one voter, Marietta Reagan of Castro Valley, trying to sort out which ballot applied to which contest. “And what is this? Ballots for today and one for the 16th. Like, which I didn't know,” she said.
Alameda County ballot timing
Alameda County election officials said many voters are waiting until closer to Election Day to return ballots, and Cornejo said that pattern has become part of the county’s planning. “We know voters are waiting longer to return their ballots and now as election officials, we expect it,” she said.
The timing of Swalwell’s April resignation and the existing election calendar forced the county to run the special election alongside the regular primary cycle. For District 14 voters, the practical task is simple but unusual: match the ballot to the election date before returning it.
