Extension Period Reshapes Alameda’s Ballot for November

Last week, we reported on the candidates who had filed and qualified to appear on November’s ballot for offices affecting Alameda. Unfortunately, we incorrectly stated that the nomination period for all offices had closed, when the period was extended until Wednesday, August 14, for offices where an incumbent had not filed for reelection. Several people took advantage of this extension and will stand for office in the November 5 General Election.

School Board race is on

Most significantly, on the last day of the extended nomination period, Meleah Hall, a teacher and data analyst, filed and qualified for the ballot for the AUSD Board of Governors . She joins incumbents Heather Little and Jennifer Williams, along with CPA Joyce Boyd. Hall’s filing brings the tally of candidates competing for the three seats to four, making the race competitive. Incumbent Margie Sherratt declined to run for another term, stating in an email to the Alameda Post that “It is time for new candidates.”

Two more candidates have joined former City Councilmember Jim Oddie in the race to replace Doug Linney as representative of District 5 for EBMUD . They are John E. Lewis, a construction manager and electrical engineer who ran unsuccessfully in the March election for the second district of the Alameda County Board of Education, and Alex Spehr, listed as a parent and tech support, whose application was considered to replace Megan Sweet when she resigned from the AUSD Board of Governors.

Another race that was finalized during the extension period was the one to represent Ward 4 for the East Bay Regional Park District . Longtime East Bay politician Ellen Corbett had already chosen not to run for reelection before she passed away earlier this month . Four candidates have qualified to be on the ballot for that seat: librarian and writer Taryn Edwards, community affairs representative Luana España, retired HR manager Susan Gonzalez, and attorney Tim McMahon. Two other candidates, Corina Lopez and Hanna Groce also pulled papers, but Lopez withdrew from the race and Groce did not qualify.

Other local races

To recap the other local races, Alameda’s City Council has five candidates competing for two seats—incumbent Trish Herrera Spencer , Steven Slauson, Thushan Amarasiriwardena, Greg Boller, and Michele Pryor. The Alameda Post will host a forum for the five candidates at Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave., on Saturday, September 28 at 2 p.m. The forum will be recorded and posted online for those who cannot attend.

Three other Alameda races will not appear on the November ballot, as the number of candidates is equal to the number of available seats. Jeff Cambra and Stewart Chen will return to the City of Alameda Healthcare District board, Auditor Kevin Kearney will retain his office for another term, as will Treasurer Kevin Kennedy.

Latest Alameda election news and information

Candidates are encouraged to get in touch and share information about their campaign by sending email to publisher@alamedapost.com . The Alameda Post will be gathering additional information about each candidate, including why they chose to run and what their goals are for office. Their responses will be published in future articles.

For the latest, up-to-date election news on these candidates and races, other statewide offices and measures, and more, please visit our Election News page regularly. You’ll find a wealth of information there, including links to candidates’ websites, important dates, registration links and other election information, along with instructions on how to track your ballot once you’ve voted. And keep an eye open for upcoming, impartial articles in the Alameda Post about the candidates and measures on the ballot.

Adam Gillitt is the Publisher of the Alameda Post . Reach him at publisher@alamedapost.com . His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Adam-Gillitt .

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