Napa Valley Voter Guide: Local Races, Early Voting

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Election day may not be until Nov. 8, but Californians are allowed to begin voting almost a month before the general election.

In the Golden State, Oct. 10 was the deadline for counties to send out vote-by-mail ballots, which every registered voter will automatically receive, according to the California Secretary of State’s office.

Through Nov. 8, residents can vote at 17 sites in Napa County. Find a complete list of sites and other election information here.

"We're urging all Californians to vote early this year,” said California Secretary Of State Shirley Weber. “You don't have to wait until Election Day because voting by mail makes it easy as soon as you get your ballots. Every person who votes early will help keep lines shorter and reduce wait times at in-person voting locations on Election Day."

Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Nov. 8, and ballots returned at a designated ballot drop box must be deposited by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

In most instances, Californians are not required to show identification to cast a ballot. However, those who did not provide a driver’s license number or a social security number while registering to vote may be asked to do so while voting for the first time in person.

Drop Boxes

Drop box locations in Napa County are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Here's a list:

American Canyon: 4381 Broadway – by the entrance to City Hall American Canyon, CA 94503

Angwin: 15 Angwin Ave – by the entrance to Howell Mountain Market Angwin, CA 94508,

Calistoga: Fair Way – next to the bus stop (outside Cal Mart) Calistoga, CA 94515,

Saint Helena: 1492 Library Lane – in front of Library St. Helena, CA 94574,

Napa:

• Soscol Avenue at Lincoln Avenue– South of Soscol Plaza across from Walmart, next to Round Table Napa, CA 94558
• Solano Avenue – South of Redwood Road across from Redwood Plaza Napa, CA 94558
• S. Jefferson St – Outside of River Park Shopping Center in front of Goodwill Napa, CA 94558
• 2nd Street Garage alley – between 1127 1st St and 2nd Street Garage Napa, CA 94559
• Napa Valley College – 2277 Napa Vallejo Hwy, by the Library Napa, CA 94558

Yountville: Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington Street (near the library droop box), Yountville, CA 94599

Vote Centers

The vote center at the Napa County Election Division, 1127 1st Street, Suite E, in Napa, is open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for early voting. Starting Oct. 29, it will also be open weekends from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.; and on Election Day from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

The vote center in American Canyon at American Canyon Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 5001 Main St., is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays starting Oct. 29, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on weekends, and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Election Day.

Starting Nov. 5, the following Napa County vote centers are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on weekends, and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Election Day.

• American Canyon: Boys and Girls Club, 60 Benton Way, American Canyon, CA 94503
• Calistoga: Calistoga Community Center, 1307 Washington St., Calistoga, CA 94515
• Napa: Las Flores Community Center, 4300 Linda Vista Ave., CA 94558
• Saint Helena: Napa Valley College - Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Ave., St. Helena, CA 94574
• Yountville: Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington St., Yountville, CA 94599

Local Races

There are several local races across Napa County, including county supervisor races for the 1st and 3rd Districts; American Canyon City Council election; school board races; Calistoga mayor and City Council seats; Napa City Council, Districts 1 and 3; St. Helena mayor and City Council seats; Yountville mayor and Town Council seats; water district races; and Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space District, wards 1, 3, and 5.

See a breakdown of the races and candidate names here.

Local Measures

Voters will also decide on several local measures

Napa Valley Unified School District - Measure A1

Measure A 1 asks voters in NVUSD's Area 1 (Napa Area) to approve the issuance of $200 million in bonds that would be used to upgrade Napa schools to meet safety/academic standards, fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing/ electrical systems, remove hazardous materials including asbestos/ lead pipes; construct, repair, upgrade, and acquire classrooms, labs, facilities/equipment to support student achievement in science, math, technology, and skilled trades. The bonds, which require approval by 55 percent of voters, would be paid back by levying a tax increase of $20 per $100,000 assessed value on properties within the district.

Napa Valley Unified School District - Measure A2

Measure A 2 asks voters in NVUSD's Area 2 (American Canyon) to approve the issuance of $25 million in bonds that would be used to provide classrooms, facilities and technology to support instruction in math, science/ engineering, fix roofs, plumbing/electrical systems, construct, repair, upgrade/ acquire classrooms, facilities, equipment, provide labs/equipment for career and technology classes to prepare students for college and in-demand jobs. The bonds require approval by at least 55 percent of voters and would be paid back by levying a tax increase of $20 per $100,000 assessed value on properties within Area 2 (American Canyon).

Calistoga Joint Unified School District - Measure BMeasure B asks voters to approve the sale of up to $41 million in bonds that would be used to improve educational facilities; construct career technical education classrooms and facilities; upgrade classroom technology and improve technology infrastructure. The bonds require approval by 55 percent of voters and would be paid back by levying an annual tax of $32-$35 per $100,000 assessed value on properties within the district.City of American Canyon - Measure J

Measure J asks voters in the city of American Canyon to approve the annexation of 157 acres known as the Green Island Property.

California State Assembly, District 4

Voters will choose whether to re-elect Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, a Democrat; or support her Republican challenger Bryan Pritchard.

California State Senate, District 2

Voters will also decide whether to re-elect state Sen. Mike McGuire, a Democrat; or support his Republican challenger, Gene Yoon.

U.S. Senate, California

Also on the Nov. 8 ballot, voters must choose between incumbent U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, a Democrat; or his Republican challenger, Mark Meuser.

Statewide Races

Millions of Californians will be called back to the ballot boxes this year to decide who will occupy the governor’s seat as well as a slew of other important statewide positions.

Golden Staters will be asked to vote on candidates for:

Governor

Gov. Gavin Newsom is up for re-election in 2022, and he’s likely to sail to another victory with ease after surviving a recall election last year and managing and dominating in the primary election.

Nonetheless, he will face opponent state Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Bieber), whom he beat by nearly 40 points in the June primary.

Dahle’s campaign has raised just $2 million, while Newsom’s campaign has raised more than $23 million, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Newsom leads Dahle by a 27-point margin — 58 to 31 percent — among likely voters, according to a September Public Policy Institute of California survey.

The Democratic governor will debate the lesser-known Dahle on Oct. 23.

READ MORE: Rumors Of Presidential Run Swirl As Newsom Seeks Re-election

Attorney General

Attorney General Rob Bonta was appointed after Xavier Becerra became the first Latino to hold the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services seat.

Bonta, a Democrat and former state lawmaker, will face off against Republican Nathan Hochman, a former assistant U.S. attorney general and a criminal attorney. Hochman says the state needs a new attorney general who will combat rising crime.

Hochman got 18 percent of the vote in the June 7 primary, while Bonta won 54.8 percent.

Insurance Commissioner

Incumbent Democrat Ricardo Lara will run for a second term as insurance commissioner, a seat that is tasked with regulating the state insurance industry. Republican cybersecurity equipment manufacturer Robert Howell will challenge Lara in the general election.

He has described himself as a “Reagan Republican,” who says he’s committed to helping wildfire victims and insurance premiums that are “abusively inflated,” CalMatters reported.

Secretary of State

Incumbent Secretary of State Shirley Weber, a Democrat, was appointed by Newsom after Alex Padilla ascended to his seat as a senator. She will face Republican Rob Bernosky, who describes himself as a “practical conservative.”

Bernosky, the chief financial officer of a tech company, is a longtime activist and former Hollister school board member. He previously ran for state Assembly in 2010 and in 2012 but was unsuccessful.

If re-elected, Weber said she plans to change the state’s recall system after the attempted recall of Newsom last year. Democrats argue that the recall process was abused.

“Very little conversation occurred about: Does this man need to be recalled? Has he done something so egregious that we want to remove him from office?” Weber told CalMatters.

READ MORE: What Would Shirley Weber Do Next As California Secretary Of State?

Controller

The race for controller in a California general election doesn't typically generate much interest, but June’s primary was among the most interesting races statewide. That’s because a Republican, Lanhee Chen, was able to advance. Chen opened the door for a Republican to have a shot at their first statewide office since 2006.

The state’s fiscal officer typically facilitates audits and serves on some 70 state boards and commissions.

In November, Chen will face Malia Cohen, a Democrat and member of the state Board of Equalization. Chen is a Stanford instructor and former top Republican adviser.

READ MORE: Chen Advances To Runoff For CA Controller

State Treasurer

Democratic incumbent Fiona Ma will face Republican Jack Guerrero in November. Guerrero is a certified public accountant serving on the Cudahy City Council in Los Angeles County.

If re-elected, Ma said her priority would be to meet Newsom’s goal of building 3.5 million homes by 2025, she told CalMatters.

Lieutenant Governor

Incumbent Eleni Kounalakis, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Angela Underwood Jacobs, a bank manager who has experience serving as a member of the Lancaster City Council.

Kounalakis is the first woman to be elected lieutenant governor of California and said she wants to ensure a woman succeeds to the governor’s seat in 2026, hinting at a run herself.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Unlike the other statewide races, this competition is a nonpartisan one. In November, Lance Ray Christensen, an education policy executive, will try to unseat incumbent Tony Thurmond.

Statewide Propositions

Proposition 1

This measure would codify the rights to abortions and birth control within the California constitution. Read more about it here.

Proposition 26

California does not currently allow sports betting, but since the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door to legalized sports wagering three years ago, California has become the jackpot for the gambling industry since it has the most professional and college teams in the nation in addition to the largest population and concentration of wealth.

Prop. 26 is a constitutional amendment that would allow it in tribal casinos and racetracks. Read more about it here.

Proposition 27

Prop. 26 seeks to allow it in tribal casinos only and racetracks while Prop. 27 is a constitutional amendment that would allow some tribes and gambling companies such as FanDuel and DraftKings to operate online or mobile sports betting outside of tribal lands. The dueling propositions present a political cage match between gambling entities battling for control over the future of the billion-dollar sports betting industry in California. Because both propositions are diametrically opposed, the passage of both would likely trigger legal battles. Read more about it here.

Proposition 28

Prop. 28 seeks to set aside funding every year for arts and music education in California’s K-12 public schools. Read more about it here.

Proposition 29

Prop. 29 would require clinics to have at least one physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant on site when patients are being treated and to report infections related to dialysis treatment. Read more about it here.

Proposition 30

Prop. 30 would increase the tax on personal income above $2 million by 1.75% and dedicate the revenue to zero-emission vehicle subsidies, building charging stations and zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gasses and hiring and training firefighters to help combat wildfires. Read more about it here.

Proposition 31

A California law banning the sale of flavored tobacco products in stores and vending machines passed in 2020 but was placed on hold when a referendum initiated by the tobacco industry qualified for the 2022 ballot. Now, the issue is being put to the voters. Proposition 31 essentially asks voters: should the ban go into effect? A yes vote would uphold the ban. A no-vote would kill it. Read more about it here.

Prop 1: California's Abortion Rights Amendment Explained
Prop 26: CA’s Tribal Legalized Sports Betting Measure Explained
Prop 27: CA’s Legalized Online Sports Betting Measure Explained
Prop 28: CA’s K-12 Art and Music Education Initiative Explained
Prop 29: CA’s Dialysis Clinic Requirements Initiative Explained
Prop 30: CA’s Clean Cars And Clean Air Act Explained
Prop 31: CA’s Flavored Tobacco Ban Referendum Explained