We’re sure you’ve probably heard about the death on Feb. 11 of U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos, who represented much of San Mateo County in Congress for nearly three decades. But governing must move forward, and that includes filling his unexpired term through a Special Congressional Open Primary Election on April 8. It’s a different kind of election, so you may have a few questions about how it all works.
But first we digress for a moment of reflection.
A survivor of the Holocaust and chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Lantos was known as a steadfast champion of human rights around the world. The committee has an archived video of his Feb. 14 memorial service at the U.S. Capitol, featuring a wash of luminaries from U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to U2 frontman Bono (who is pictured speaking here). RealPlayer is required.
On Feb. 12, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called a special general election on June 3 to fill the remainder of the term of the 12th Congressional District seat vacated by Lantos’ death. Seems it would be easy enough, considering that we already have a Statewide Direct Primary Election scheduled for the same day.
But because this is a partisan office, the special election also requires its own primary, which is calculated by counting back eight Tuesdays. Hence, the April 8 date we referenced earlier.
This primary is different, in that it’s a open one. Regardless of political party, there is just one ballot that everyone votes, and all candidates appear on it. Voters can choose anyone.
The deadline to file to be a candidate in the special election is Monday.
Inside Elections 