6 hours Ago By Kimberly Hayek
Former Democratic state Assemblyman Adam Gray has taken the lead over Republican incumbent Rep. John Duarte in the razor thin race for California’s 13th Congressional District by just 182 votes. Gray served California’s 21st Assembly District, which included all of Merced County and parts of Stanislaus County, from 2012 to 2022.
A critic of state water management, Gray has said his priorities include water, agriculture, and improvements in education. Duarte has represented the 13th Congressional District, which includes parts of Fresno, since 2023. While in office, Duarte sponsored a number of bills, including the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act.
At this point in the electoral process, campaigns and volunteers are working on “ballot curing,” a term for helping voters fix disqualified ballots. In California, counties must verify that ballots qualify to be counted. A signature on the ballot not matching the signature that a county registrar has on file is a common issue that can lead to ballot curing.
Republican, Democratic, and nonpartisan organizations use uncured ballot lists to let voters know that their ballots were rejected and tell them how to fix the issue. Voters must file for a recount with the county election official responsible for conducting an election within five days of an official result. The recount must begin no more than seven days after the county election official has received the recount request.
.
