Voters in Menlo Park, Atherton, East Palo Alto, Woodside, Portola Valley and Ladera won't decide several special district races this fall. San Mateo County's candidate roster marks each of these contests "On Ballot: No" because no more candidates filed than there were seats.
Menlo Park Fire Protection District
All three incumbents, Chuck Bernstein, Gary Bloom and Robert Jones, filed for the three seats, the Almanac reported, and no one challenged them.
West Bay Sanitary District
Incumbents Edward Moritz and Roy Thiele-Sardina were the only candidates for two seats on the sewer district's board.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
In Ward 6, which includes Woodside, Portola Valley, Atherton, Menlo Park and Redwood City, retired programmer Bryan Beck was the only candidate. Incumbent Margaret MacNiven, a co-founder of Buck's Restaurant in Woodside, did not run again, the Almanac said. The roster also shows Karen C. Holman as the only candidate in Ward 5. The open space district's other contested race is covered in our Ward 1 explainer.
Ladera Recreation District
All five seats on the board that runs Ladera's pool and recreation center were up, but only three people filed: incumbent Brian Wall and Shawn Salmon for full terms, and previously appointed director Helen Wang for a short term.
What happens next
The Almanac explained that when candidates equal seats, a board can appoint them instead of holding an election, and they serve as if elected. When too few people file, the board can appoint someone to fill the vacancy.
How to vote
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.