Mail-in ballots on the way

OROVILLE — Just in time for the power to go out all over the county, the Butte County Elections Office has sent out the mail-in ballots for the 2024 Primary Election.

The March ballots are on their way to Butte County residents this week and will feature three supervisor races, items related to Valley’s Edge and races at the state and federal levels including the presidential primary.

Butte County Clerk-Recorder Keaton Denlay

Butte County Elections Official Keaton Denlay said residents can likely expect the ballots to arrive in their mailboxes within the next seven days, adding that some in the past have reported having their ballots within a day of them being shipped out.

“Any time you get into an election, it gets busier,” Denlay said of his department’s workload. “We’re busy all the time, but this is when we really kick it into high gear.”

This is the first primary election directly overseen by Denlay who took over after previous Clerk/Recorder Candace Grubbs retired at the end of 2022. Denlay officially took office on Jan. 23, 2023, but had been with the department for years prior and has worked elections many times.

“I’m feeling pretty good about it,” Denlay said. “I’ve been with the department for six years, so I’ve seen my fair share of elections.”

Despite the power outage, which included his office, Denlay said getting the ballots out has gone smoothly.

“Everything else is going as planned,” Denlay said. “We don’t need power for the mail or to get the ballot boxes installed.”

Early Monday morning, ballot boxes were placed around the county at various libraries and public buildings such as Chico’s Fred Davis Municipal Building.

Once a ballot is filled out it can be dropped off at any of the ballot box locations specified on the ballot. Denlay said the sooner a ballot is turned in, the sooner it can be counted.

“I would encourage people to make sure that they get it back earlier,” Denlay said. “The sooner we get the ballots back, the sooner we can get them counted and get the results finalized.”

This year’s ballot

Depending on location, voters who live in Butte County supervisor districts 1, 4 and 5 will decide who their local representatives will be in this primary.

Supervisor Bill Connelly, whose District 1 covers eastern to southeastern portions of Butte County including the Oroville area, is running unopposed this year.

District 4 voters will have the choice between sitting Supervisor Tod Kimmelshue, who has been on the board for one term, and his challenger Joanna Warrens. District 4 consists of a portion of Chico as well as Durham, Gridley and Biggs and covers the southwestern part of the county.

Current District 5 Supervisor Doug Teeter is running against challenger Julie Threet for the seat that represents the eastern and northeastern part of Butte County including part of Chico. District 5 saw a more dramatic change in the recent remapping of the county supervisor coverage in large part thanks to the Camp Fire displacing many residents.

Massive southeast Chico development Valley’s Edge has also found its way to the ballot after a successful referendum effort in the form of Measure P. With this measure on the ballot, it’s in the hands of voters how it goes forward with a yes vote keeping it on track and a majority no putting a stop to it as it is currently planned.

On top of the local ballot items, voters with political party affiliation can expect to see primary races on their ballots including the early presidential race.

Denlay said the voting booth locations, as well as voting resource centers, will be listed on the ballots as well.

Resources

With the March 5 election quickly approaching, the Butte County Election Department has scheduled voting assistance centers throughout the county. This will include 11-day centers in Paradise, Oroville and Chico along with four-day centers in Chico, Oroville, Durham and Gridley and varying locations. Additionally, a one-day operation is scheduled for Magalia on the day of the election. All centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for March 5 when they will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Feb. 24-March 5

Paradise: Paradise Veterans Memorial Hall at 6550 Skyway

Chico: Chico Masonic Family Center at 1110 W. East Ave.

Oroville: Hall of Records at 155 Nelson Ave.

March 2-5

Chico: Chico First Baptist Church at 850 Palmetto Ave., Chico State BMU, the Elks Lodge at 1705 Manzanita Ave., Sol Mexican Grill at 3269 the Esplanade and the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds at 2357 Fair St.

Durham: The Durham Veterans Memorial Hall at 9319 Midway.

Gridley: The Butte County Fairgrounds at 199 E. Hazel St.

Oroville: The Lake Oroville Golf and Event Center at 5131 Royal Oaks Drive and the Municipal Auditorium at 1200 Myers St.