The Atascadero Unified School District will have four trustee seats up for election in 2022

by Christianna Marks and Camille DeVaul

ATASCADERO — On June 7, voting Americans will take to the poll booths for the primary election. Vote-by-mail ballots was mailed to all registered Californian voters on May 9, but in case you are nostalgic and prefer to hit the booth in person, here is what you need to know about this year’s primary election.

This year’s ballot will include candidates for U.S. Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, Member of State Board of Equalization, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, U.S. Representative in Congress, State Senator, State Assembly Member, as well as other local candidates.

Vote by mail ballots must be postmarked on or before election day and received by June 14 or in-person to a secure ballot dropbox on June 7.

In-person voting locations will offer voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines, and language assistance to those who need it.

For Californians, 2022 is a big year as voters will take the polls in November to vote for a new governor or re-elect current Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

In 2021, Newsom faced a recall election, which failed with California voters. The push to recall Newsom began in February 2020 and gained over 2 million signatures — only 1.495 million were required to trigger the recall election.

In the 2022 primary election, over 20 qualified candidates are running for California Governor — including Newsom. Qualified candidates from all parts of California are on the June ballot, some from the most northern and rural parts of the state to the most populated southern areas.

Their occupations range from farmers, fathers, mothers, business executives, small business owners, writers, lawyers, and more. Democrats, Republicans, and Independent Party candidates make up the list of potential governors.

You can find additional information on the primary election and voting in San Luis Obispo County through the County Clerk website here.

Upcoming Local Elections

San Luis Obispo County

District 2 now includes Atascadero within its territory. Current District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson is running for re-election, and is being challenged by candidates Geoff Auslen, John Whitworth, and Bruce Jones. 

Appointed County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano is running for re-election against James Baugh and Stewart Jenkins.

Current County Superintendent of Schools James Brescia is running for re-election unopposed. The same goes for District Attorney Dan Dow and Sheriff Ian Parkinson.

Atascadero 

Atascadero residents will have some voting choices to make for their city on the Nov. 8 election as well. The Atascadero City Council will have two “at-large” seats (currently held by Mayor Pro Tem Heather Newsom and Councilmember Susan Funk) up for re-election, as well as Mayor. The position of Treasurer is also up for re-election and is currently held by Gere Sibbach.

Candidates currently in the running are Susan Funk (re-election to City Council), Heather Newsom (re-election to City Council), Heather Moreno (re-election for Mayor), and Tori Keen, who is running for City Council.

Parties who are interested in running for City Council, Treasurer, or Mayor can file their intent to run at the County Clerk Recorder’s Office from Monday, July 18, thru Friday, Aug. 12. 

The Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) will have four trustee seats up for election in 2022. The trustee seats are currently held by George Shoemaker, Tami Gunther, Ray Buban, and Donn Clickard.

Unlike Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, which is switching to By-Trustee Area voting in November, AUSD will continue with “at-large” voting during the next election cycle, including the November 2022 General Election.

By-Trustee Area voting is a newly proposed system where candidates are elected by “trustee areas.” This means only voters within a given trustee area can vote for candidates who reside within that same area. The new voting system is intended to offer more opportunities for board representation. While “at-large” voting is open to all residents of the city where the school district resides. 

Persons interested in being an AUSD trustee can file their intention to run between Monday, July 18, and Friday, Aug. 12, with the County Clerk Recorder’s Office. 

The new trustee seats will be elected on the Nov. 8 General Election.