California’s 16th Congressional District will have three candidates on the November ballot after an unusual tie in the primary.
Nearly a month after the March 5 election, unofficial results showed two Democratic candidates tied for second place in the nonpartisan “jungle” primary. State Rep. Evan Lowe and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian each received 30,249 votes, behind former San Jose Mayor Sam Licciardo (38,489 votes).
“Today is a special ‘tie’ day!” The low was posted to X after all precincts finished reporting their vote totals on Wednesday.
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State Representative Evan Roe is one of two Democratic candidates in a tie for second place in the primary for California’s 16th Congressional District. (Philip Farawan/Getty Images, Equality California)
If the primary results are certified by California’s Secretary of State, that means both Mr. Licciardo and his challenger will appear on the November ballot, according to state law.
“If only one candidate receives the highest number of votes and two or more candidates who receive the second-highest number of votes receive an equal number of votes, then those second-place candidates each receive the next “The candidate in the general election shall be the candidate with the greatest number of votes cast, whether or not there are more candidates in the general election than are provided for in this section.” California Election Law. is stipulated.
“Under no circumstances should a tie be determined by drawing lots.”
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Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian is the other candidate who finished in a tie for second place in the District 16 primary. (Brad Burkett/Getty Images, Fast Company)
San Mateo County Assessor and Assistant County Clerk/Recorder Jim Irizarry told local news station KPIX that the votes the county received Tuesday for Simitian tied the election. Officials in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties are expected to announce official results by 5 p.m. local time Thursday.
“It’s a matter of candidate preference. At this point, campaigns need to decide whether they are satisfied with the results. If they are not, they have five days to request a recount.” Irizarry told KPIX. “Right now, there’s a tie, so state law basically says that if the two positions we’re talking about are tied, they’re going to go to the November election, so they’ll come in third place. There is fierce competition.”
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Former San Jose Mayor Sam Licciardo came in first in the primary for California’s 16th District. If preliminary results are certified by April 12, all three candidates will face off in the November election. (Daily Kanno/Media News Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)
California election officials have an April 12 deadline to certify the results, according to the Secretary of State’s website.
The election will decide who will replace Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), who announced her retirement in November after more than 30 years in Congress.
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“I chose this beautiful season of Thanksgiving to announce that I will not seek re-election,” Eshoo, 80, said in a video accompanying the announcement. “And I am forever grateful to you, my wonderful constituents.”
Representatives for the Roe and Simitian campaigns did not immediately respond to requests for comment asking whether they planned to contest the election results or seek a recount.
Fox News Digital’s Jessica Chasmar contributed to this report.
