Two Peninsula health care districts that fund community health programs had seats up this year, but no contest. San Mateo County's official candidate roster marks every one of those races "On Ballot: No."
Sequoia Healthcare District
Sequoia, which serves southern San Mateo County, had Zones A, C and E up. Each drew one candidate, according to the roster: incumbent William Fong in Zone A (Foster City), appointed director Rosanne Foust in Zone C, and psychologist Brian Greenberg in Zone E. The Almanac reported that Zone E, which includes Woodside and Portola Valley, had been vacant. The district's own homepage still invites residents to learn about this fall's election for the three zones. The district says its grants and programs reach more than 100,000 residents a year.
Peninsula Health Care District
The Peninsula district, covering northern and central county cities, had three board seats up. Three people filed, the roster shows: incumbent Lawrence William Cappel, Dennis Zell and Henry Sanchez. Because candidates did not outnumber seats, that race is off the ballot too.
How this works
As the Almanac explained, when the number of candidates equals the number of seats, a district's board can cancel the election and appoint the candidates instead. They serve full terms as if elected, and the district avoids paying the county to run an election. The same thing happened elsewhere in the county; Atherton canceled its council election for the same reason.
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.