California Voters Prepare for Super Tuesday

No “do-over” for voters who already mailed in ballots for Buttigieg, Klobuchar, or Steyer.

Grace Aitken, Co Editor-in-Chief

With Super Tuesday just one day away, drastic changes have altered the Democratic primary election. 

Three candidates have dropped out over the past two days. Former mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and billionaire Tom Steyer have all suspended their campaigns. Buttigieg came as a surprise to many, as he was one of the leading candidates among the field of presidential hopefuls. 

Klobuchar and Buttigieg are set to endorse Joe Biden, along with former candidate Beto O’Rourke. 

Some early voters have voted for a candidate that is no longer in the running, causing many  voters to question if they could revote in the Democratic primaries. 

People who have already filled out a vote-by-mail ballot and not sent it in can go to a local polling place and surrender their ballot. People that have already sent in a mail-in ballot or voted early at a polling place are not able to cast another vote. 

“I voted for Pete on Saturday, and he dropped out Sunday afternoon. It’s upsetting that my first vote no longer counts,” said senior Sage Groves. 

To win state-level delegates in a state, a candidate has to get 15% of the overall vote in that state. However, a candidate can also earn delegates by winning districts, even if they don’t meet the 15% threshold statewide. Even so, three candidates dropping out means that the remaining candidates are more likely to make the state threshold, possibly drastically changing the allocation of state-level delegates. 

I voted for Pete on Saturday, and he dropped out Sunday afternoon. It’s upsetting that my first vote no longer counts,

— Sage Groves (12)

This is California’s first year as a Super Tuesday state, as in the past its primary has been held in June. Due to the extremely large population, it is likely to make or break a candidate. 

The congressional primary for the 49th district is between Democrat Mike Levin, the incumbent, and republican Brian Maryott. There are no other congressional candidates, and this election will be seen more as a forecast for the general election. Whichever candidate wins has the chance of receiving more funding from their respective national parties, possibly aiding their chances in the general. 

Proposition 13 is also being voted on in this primary election. This will provide for $15 billion in bonds to be allocated towards California public school districts. $9 billion is proposed to go towards preschool and K-12 schools, $4 billion for universities, and $2 billion for community colleges.

5 candidates are running for the 73rd  Assembly district. Incumbent Bill Brough has had a few campaign finance and sexual harassment scandals recently, and is being challenged by fellow republicans Laurie Davies and Ed Sachs. He is also being challenged by two Democrats, Scott Rhinehart and Chris Duncan. The top two candidates will be up for election for the seat in November.