2022 Election

Voting is your chance to have your voice heard, to exercise a fundamental democratic right, to make your opinion count.

There are many critical decisions in this 2022 election to be made about who will represent our community as elected officials.

The Chamber’s advocacy and education are a valued part of what we do, as you tell us year after year. Each election season, we devote many hours of committee, Board and staff time to pull together guidance and resources to help you make informed decisions at the polls.

We hope these resources help you sort out your options — whether at the ballot box November 8, 2022 or voting by mail from the safety and comfort of your own home.

View our 2022 Voter Guide

But first ... make sure you're registered

First things first, make sure you are registered to vote. Check your voter status here, and if you’re not good to go, register online here or stop in the Visitor Center and we’ll get you sorted. The deadline to register before the 2020 primary election is online or postmark by October 24, 2022, or you can “conditionally” register and vote at your county elections office after the 15-day voter registration deadline.

This year, every registered voter in California will receive a vote by mail ballot, which is how nearly 70 percent of SLO County residents vote. Ballots will go out on October 10, and it is highly encouraged you fill it out and mail it in quickly, or drop it off in person at one of county polling places.

While you’re at it, encourage everyone you know — coworkers, relatives, friends, new citizens and new voting-age citizens — to register and cast their ballots, too. As recent elections both here and nationwide have proven, every vote really does count.

Attend a Candidate Forum

SLO County Supervisorial District 2 Candidate Forum

September 29, 2022 | Atascadero High School Gym


SLO County Supervisorial District 2 Candidate Forum

October 5, 2022 | SLO Farm Bureau


SLO City Council Candidate Forum

October 6, 2022 | People’s Self Help Housing

 

San Luis Obispo City Council

Read the candidate’s answers to our questionnaires here:

Joe Benson

Emily Francis

James Papp

Michelle Shoresman

Education

The SLO Chamber is committed to supporting top-quality, inclusive public and private education. Board Members elected at a variety of levels are key to the care and service of students as well as the ongoing vibrancy of our community as a whole, so it essential that we know what the roles entail before voting. Learn more about what is asked of Board Members at different levels:

San Luis Obispo County Community College District / Cuesta College Board of Trustees

Community college boards ensure the wise and prudent delivery of education, ensuring that the community college district fulfills its responsibility to lead and serve the community. Five elected members and one student representative are tasked with overseeing the resources, performance and welfare of students by:

  • Assure fiscal health and stability of the District
  • Work with the Curriculum Committee and administration to adopt the courses of study
  • Determine general policies which will govern the operation of the District
  • Hire and evaluate the Superintendent/President and entrust them with effectively leading the District
  • Adopt the rules and regulations for the governance of the District
  • Evaluate the educational program of the College with the administration

SLO County Board of Education

The County Board of Education establishes the direction and priorities for the county office of education through fiscal oversight, and provides leadership to support the success of public education. Divided into five trustee areas, each member has a responsibility to: 

  • Maintain a cooperative and supportive working relationship with local school districts, their school boards and the community.
  • Collaborate with the superintendent so that the shared vision, goals and policies of the county office of education can be implemented.
  • Adopt, evaluate and update policies consistent with law to ensure that a safe and appropriate educational environment is provided for all its students.
  • Maintain accountability for student learning in schools and programs operated by the county office of education.
  • Adopt the annual budget and review interim reports of the county superintendent of schools.
  • Review the real property audit and acquire or dispose of real property as necessary for county office of education schools and programs.

School District Boards

School Board members are entrusted with articulating a vision and core principles to ensure that students thrive. Guided by this vision, they make decisions about budgets and fiscal policies, school buildings and maintenance, leadership and administration within each district. There are ten School Districts in SLO County, Find more information about more information about your school district here:

CA State Assembly District 3o

Read the candidate’s answers to our questionnaires here:

Dawn Addis

Vicki Nohrden

U.S. Congressional District 19

Watch the candidates’ video statements:




U.S. Congressional District 24

Watch the candidates’ video statements:




We have yet to receive a video statement from Brad Allen.