Election Day Coverage
The DP Times posted live updates throughout Election Night. Here is the complete collection of posts, presented in chronological order with the most recent posts at the top.
South Coast Water District: Dietmeier, Erkeneff and Rayfield Win Director Seats
Update (12:45 a.m.)
Dick Dietmeier, Rick Erkeneff and Wayne Rayfield will fill the three open seats on the South Coast Water District Board of Directors.
The trio held onto the top three spots throughout the evening, but the close race saw them trade places a few times as the votes were tallied.
Dietmeier rose from second to first with 4,820 votes (19.1 percent) and Erkeneff from third to second with 4,645 votes (18.4 percent). And, after spending a majority of the evening in the first-place spot, Rayfield ended in third with 4,578 votes (18.1 percent).
Gary “Water Watch Dog” Langdale came in fourth with 3.813 votes (15.1 percent), followed by Joel Bishop, 3.734 votes (14.8 percent) and Richard Gardner with 3.679 votes (14.6 percent).
– Andrea Swayne
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Hanacek Wins CUSD Trustee Area 1 Seat
Updated (12:25 a.m.)
Amy Hanacek has won the seat representing Trustee Area 1 on the Capistrano Unified School District’s Board of Trustees, according to the final polling results.
Hanacek finished with 9,448 votes (67.7 percent) over Karin Schnell’s 4,504 votes (32.3 percent).
Trustee Area 1 covers a majority of Dana Point, including Capistrano Beach, as well as portions of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.
Jack R. Brick currently represents Dana Point in Trustee Area 1 but is not running for reelection. Brick was elected to the board in 2008 for a term ending in 2012.
Part of the city, along with Laguna Niguel, also lies within Trustee Area 4, but there are no open seats this year in that area.
Dana Point’s current Area 4 trustee, Anna Bryson was first elected in 2006 and reelected in 2010 for a term ending in 2014.
– Andrea Swayne
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City Council: Schoeffel and Olvera Win Two Open Seats
Update (12 a.m.)
Dana Point voters have chosen incumbent Councilman J. Scott Schoeffel and former Historical Society President Carlos N. Olvera to fill the two open seats on City Council.
The final tally showed Schoeffel claiming 5,568 votes (29.7 percent) and Olvera with 5,083 votes (27.1 percent). Denton ended the night in third place, with 4,722 votes (25.2 percent).
While Schoeffel maintained a comfortable lead throughout the night, the contest between Olvera and current Planning Commissioner Norm Denton for the second seat, remained tight. As of the 11:30 p.m. update, the two were in a dead heat; Olvera with 2,938 votes and Denton with 2,932.
Ed Stevenson trailed in fourth throughout the evening and ended with a final count of 3,352 votes (17.9 percent).
–Andrea Swayne
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Dietmeier Pulls Ahead in South Coast Water District Race
Update (11:35)
The 11:30 p.m. update of the South Coast Water District vote shows Dietmeier pulling ahead into first place by a mere four votes.
The top three spots continue to be held by Dietmeier, Rayfield and Erkeneff.
Langdale has pulled slightly ahead of Bishop, 15.4 percent to 15.3 percent, respectively.
The update shows:
Dick Dietmeier, 2,808 votes, 18.4 percent
Wayne Rayfield, 2,804 votes, 18.4 percent
Rick Erkeneff, 2,779 votes, 18.2 percent
Gary Langdale, 2,356 votes, 15.4 percent
Joel Bishop, 2,334 votes, 15.3 percent
Richard Gardner, 2,151 votes, 14.3 percent
–Andrea Swayne
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Incumbent Leads Municipal Water District Election
Update (11:30 p.m.)
Susan Hinman, District 7 incumbent Municipal Water District of Orange County director continues to hold a comfortable 68.7 percent to 31.3 percent lead over challenger Vanessa A. Mathews.
According to the latest update posted to the Registrar’s website at 11:30 p.m., 87 of 235 precincts have been completed.
–Andrea Swayne
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Latest South Coast Water District Update Shows No Change
Update (10:50)
As of the OC Registrar’s 10:30 p.m. update, the South Coast Water District numbers remain unchanged since the 9:30 p.m. report and are as follows:
Wayne Rayfield, 2,470 votes, 18.8 percent
Dick Dietmeier, 2,384 votes, 18.2 percent
Rick Erkeneff, 2,362 votes, 18.0 percent
Joel Bishop, 2,027 votes, 15.4 percent
Gary Langdale, 2,016 votes, 15.4 percent
Richard Gardner, 1,867 votes, 14.2 percent
–Andrea Swayne
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City Council: Schoeffel Holds Lead , Denton and Olvera in Close Race for Second Seat
Update (10:45 p.m.)
City Council votes last updated at 10:30 p.m., with one of 30 precincts reporting, show the following tally:
J. Scott Schoeffel, 2,753 votes, 29 percent
Norm Denton, 2,557 votes, 26.9 percent
Carlos N. Olvera, 2,533 votes, 26.7 percent
Ed Stevenson, 1,652 votes, 17.4 percent
–Andrea Swayne
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Associated Press: Incumbent Senator Feinstein Wins Reelection
Update (10:26 p.m.)
According to an Associated Press report, Democratic State Senator Dianne Feinstein has won her reelection over Republican challenger, Danville autism advocate Elizabeth Emken,
Poll results, last posted at 10:20 p.m., show Feinstein has 2,347,106 votes (57.5 percent) to Emken’s 1,733,096 votes (42.5 percent) with 21.9 percent of precincts reporting.
Feinstein’s victory marks the former San Francisco mayor’s fourth Senate term since winning office in 1993.
Emken is the former vice president for government relations at Autism Speaks, a national advocacy organization and made a previous run for Congress in the 11th District, in northern California.
–Andrea Swayne
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Latest Results for State Propositions
Update (10:15 p.m.)
As of 10:05 p.m., 20.4 percent of statewide precincts have reported their numbers. Here are the latest results for the 11 statewide propositions:
Prop 30 – Temporary Taxes to Fund Education
Yes: 1,938,975 (48.5 percent)
No: 2,055,378 (51.5 percent)
Prop 31 – State Budget, State and Local Government
Yes: 1,579,980 (42.1 percent)
No: 2,176,811 (57.9 percent)
Prop 32 – Political Contributions by Payroll Deduction
Yes: 1,910,022 (48.3 percent)
No: 2,041,420 (51.7 percent)
Prop 33 – Auto Insurance Prices Based on Driver History
Yes: 1,847,488 (47.4 percent)
No: 2,047,172 (52.6 percent)
Prop 34 – Death Penalty
Yes: 1,732,385 (44.0 percent)
No: 2,206,420 (56.0 percent)
Prop 35 – Human Trafficking
Yes: 3,273,034 (83.2 percent)
No: 659,829 (16.8 percent)
Prop 36 – Three Strikes Law
Yes: 2,694,279 (68.4 percent)
No: 1,244,445 (31.6 percent)
Prop 37 – Genetically Engineered Foods Labeling
Yes: 1,690,514 (42.6 percent)
No: 2,276,865 (57.4 percent)
Prop 38 – Tax Education, Early Childhood Programs
Yes: 1,005,433 (25.6 percent)
No: 2,921,082 (74.4 percent)
Prop 39 – Business Tax for Energy Funding
Yes: 2,288,905 (59.0 percent)
No: 1,588,591 (41.0 percent)
Prop 40 – Redistricting State Senate
Yes: 2,786,433 (74.3 percent)
No: 964,792 (25.7 percent)
– Brian Park
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State Assembly Race Led by Harkey
Update (10:05 p.m.)
With 27 of 339 (8 percent) of precincts partially reporting, Dana Point Republican incumbent Diane Harkey owns a commanding lead over San Clemente teacher James Corbett, DEM, in the race for State Assembly District 73.
Harkey has 52,437 votes (66.8 percent) over Corbett’s 26,101 votes (33.2 percent).
Corbett is best known for his involvement in a 2007 lawsuit while he taught at Capistrano Valley High School. Corbett allegedly disparaged creationism during a lecture, which prompted a lawsuit by a Christian student. The student initially won his suit against the Capistrano Unified School District in Federal District Court, but the suit was overturned on appeal. As a candidate, he has stated that he would champion equalization of state education funding, noting the funding problems of CUSD in recent years.
Harkey currently serves as vice-chair of both the Assembly Committee on Appropriations and Revenue and Taxation Committee. She has recently spoken out against state funding of high-speed rail projects, and has promised to introduce a bill to de-fund the program in January if re-elected. She also serves on the Assembly Committee on Public Employees Retirement System and Social Security, the Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and the Banking and Finance Committee and Budget Committee.
–Andrea Swayne/Jim Shilander
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President Obama Wins Reelection as Romney Delivers Concession Speech
Update (9:58 p.m.)
President Barack Obama will stay in the White House for another four years, as poll results indicate that he will win the 270 electoral college votes needed to retain his office.
Senator Mitt Romney called the President to concede, moments before delivering a speech to his supporters in Boston.
“This election is over but the principles endure,” Romney said. “I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction.”
– Brian Park
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Local Races Relatively Unchanged
Update (9:40 p.m.)
The second round of unofficial results from the Registrar’s Office show little change in the local races.
For City Council, Schoeffel remains in the lead with 29 percent of the vote. Denton and Olvera are in a near tie with 26.9 percent and 26.7 percent, respectively, and Stevenson trails with 17.4 percent.
South Coast Water District candidates have also stayed relatively unchanged. Rayfield, Dietmeier and Erkeneff are holding the top three spots, commanding 18.8 percent, 18.2 percent and 18.0 percent of the vote, respectively.
In the bottom three are Bishop and Langdale, tied with 15.4 percent of the vote, followed by Gardner with 14.2 percent.
For CUSD Trustee Area 1, Hanacek holds the lead over Schnell, 68.8 percent to 31.2 percent.
–Andrea Swayne
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Issa Leads Tetalman in 49th District U.S. Representative Race
Update (9:08 p.m.)
With 106 of 495 precincts (21.4 percent) district-wide partially or full reporting, Republican Darrell Issa is leading Democrat Jerry Tetalman 61,720 votes (60.7 percent) to 39,888 votes (39.3 percent) respectively.
Issa currently chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and has served in Congress since 2001.
A long-time political activist, Tetalman said that he’d volunteered previously on a number of different campaigns and decided to run this year because “it was time.”
Tetalman said he would be in favor of phasing out the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
“I believe we need to move to renewables. The risks of San Onofre are too great, in terms of safety.” Tetalman said he also opposed offshore drilling in the area, which he said Issa had favored. He pointed to the damage wrought by the 1969 oil spill near Santa Barbara. Tetalman said he would champion electrifying transportation, as well as high-speed rail if elected.
–Andrea Swayne/Jim Shilander
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Early Poll Numbers Say Prop 32 is a Coin Flip
Update (9:01 p.m.)
The vote on Proposition 32, the statewide ballot measure that would forbid payroll deductions by unions or corporations for political purposes, is a virtual coin flip, according to the most recent poll results.
Votes against the proposition own a razor-thin lead with 1,803,307 votes (50.9 percent) over votes in favor at 1,741,151 (49.1 percent), according to poll numbers posted at 8:54 p.m.
Prop. 32 would also prohibit unions or corporations from contributing directly to candidates or candidate committees.
Other proposition votes are as follows:
Prop 30 – Temporary Taxes to Fund Education
Yes: 1,699,916 (47.5 percent)
No: 1,882,143 (52.5 percent)
Prop 31 – State Budget, State and Local Government
Yes: 1,428,511 (42.4 percent)
No: 1,941,916 (57.6 percent)
Prop 33 – Auto Insurance Prices Based on Driver History
Yes: 1,684,483 (48.2 percent)
No: 1,810,185 (51.8 percent)
Prop 34 – Death Penalty
Yes: 1,527,600 (43.3 percent)
No: 2,004,008 (56.7 percent)
Prop 35 – Human Trafficking
Yes: 2,946,292 (83.4 percent)
No: 584,372 (16.6 percent)
Prop 36 – Three Strikes Law
Yes: 2,401,651 (67.9 percent)
No: 1,133,652 (32.1 percent)
Prop 37 – Genetically Engineered Foods Labeling
Yes: 1,482,753 (41.6 percent)
No: 2,077,672 (58.4 percent)
Prop 38 – Tax Education, Early Childhood Programs
Yes: 892,511 (25.3 percent)
No: 2,630,130 (74.7 percent)
Prop 39 – Business Tax for Energy Funding
Yes: 2,041,922 (58.7 percent)
No: 1,437,944 (41.3 percent)
Prop 40 – Redistricting State Senate
Yes: 2,501,668 (74.3 percent)
No: 864,840 (25.7 percent)
– Brian Park
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Networks Project Four More Years for President Obama
Update (8:44 p.m.)
President Barack Obama has won his bid for reelection over Senator Mitt Romney, major television networks are projecting.
In California, 12 percent of precincts have reported in as of 8:39 p.m. Obama owns 1,657,974 votes (53.4 percent) over Romney’s 1,383,346 votes (44.6 percent).
Orange County voters, however, favored Romney with 219,434 votes (57.4 percent) over Obama’s 156,207 votes (40.8 percent).
The President’s official Twitter account posted this message at 8:14 p.m.: “This happened because of you. Thank you.”
– Brian Park
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Rayfield, Dietmeier and Erkeneff in the Lead for Water District Board
Update (8:20 p.m.)
In the race for three open seats on the South Coast Water District Board, the trio of leaders are Wayne Rayfield (2,379 or 18.9 percent), Dick Dietmeier (2,285 or 18.1 percent) and Rick Erkeneff (2,262 or 17.9 percent).
Joel Bishop has 15.5 percent or 1,958 of the votes so far, Gary “Water Watch Dog” Langdale, 1,942 votes (15.4 percent) and Richard Gardner has 1,791 votes (14.2 percent).
–Andrea Swayne
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First City Council Poll Update Shows Schoeffel in the Lead, Olvera and Denton in Tight Race for Second
Update (8:10 p.m.)
The Orange County Registrar of Voters posted the first unofficial early voting and vote-by-mail results at 8:05 p.m.
With zero of 30 precincts complete, the results are as follows:
In the City Council race, incumbent J. Scott Schoeffel is in the lead with 2,627 votes (28.8 percent).
Carlos N. Olvera and Norm Denton are in a tight race for second with a mere eight vote difference between them. Olvera has 2,449 votes (26.9 percent) and Denton has 2,441 votes (26.8 percent).
Ed Stevenson is currently in fourth place with 1,601 votes, representing 17.6 percent.
The Registrar will post the next round of unofficial results at 9:30 p.m.
Results will be updated in 30-minute intervals until 1 a.m.
–Andrea Swayne
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Hanacek in the Lead in Capistrano Unified School District Area 1 Race
Update (8:10 p.m.)
In the CUSD race for Trustee Area 1, Amy Hanacek is leading with 4, 516 votes (69.1 percent) over Karin Schnell who has 2,021 votes (30.9 percent).
–Andrea Swayne
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The Polls are Open
Update (2 p.m.)
Election Day is finally here and the Dana Point Times will be providing updates on how local candidates are faring as results come in throughout the evening.
The polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. today.
By 9 a.m. area poll workers were reporting a larger than usual early turnout and many said that although a light but steady stream of voters continued through the afternoon, they were bracing for an evening rush as people finish their work day and head to their precinct to cast their votes.
Should you have any lingering questions regarding where your assigned polling place is or need to see a sample ballot, click here.
Also, if you care to do any last minute research on candidates for local races, click here to see the full Election Special edition of the Dana Point Times or search “election” on our website www.danapointtimes.com. As part of our ongoing coverage leading up to Election Day, we asked local candidates questions regarding the issues and how they intend to govern should they be elected.
The Orange County Registrar of Voters expects to have results of the vote-by-mail and early voting posted on their website by 8:05 p.m.
At 9:30 p.m. the Registrar’s site will begin posting unofficial results from polling places with updates every 30 minutes through 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Results will be updated by 5 p.m. each weekday until all official results are posted.
In addition to the Presidential Election, Dana Point residents will be voting for:
City Council
Four candidates are vying for election to two open seats on the Dana Point City Council.
One of the two open spots is being vacated by current Mayor Lara Anderson who has termed out and the other by incumbent Scott Schoeffel who is seeking reelection.
Joining Schoeffel on the ballot are business development manager Ed Stevenson, retired professional engineer and former
Historical Society president Carlos N. Olvera and Planning Commissioner Norm Denton.
Capistrano Unified School District
Voters in Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 1—one of two areas covering the city—will be asked to choose between Amy Hanacek and Karin Schnell for the single open seat representing Dana Point residents.
Trustee Area 1 covers a majority of Dana Point, including Capistrano Beach, as well as portions of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.
Jack R. Brick currently represents Dana Point in Trustee Area 1 but is not running for reelection. Brick was elected to the board in 2008 for a term ending in 2012.
Part of the city, along with Laguna Niguel, also lies within Trustee Area 4, but there are no open seats this year in that area.
Dana Point’s current Area 4 trustee, Anna Bryson was first elected in 2006 and reelected in 2010 for a term ending in 2014.
South Coast Water District
Of the three South Coast Water District Board incumbents whose terms end this year, only two are seeking reelection. Board President Wayne Rayfield and Director Richard Gardner are running, while Vice President Ingrid McGuire decided not to run.
Rayfield and Gardner are joined by Gary Langdale, Rick Erkeneff, Dick Dietmeier and Joel Bishop in the race to fill the three open seats on the five-member board.
The other two positions are currently held by directors Robert Moore and Richard Runge who were both elected in 2010 to terms ending in 2014.
Congress
Due to the redrawing of district lines, Dana Point is now part of the 49th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Vista Republican Darrell Issa.
Issa is being challenged by Democrat Jerry Tetalman, a Carlsbad Realtor.
Senate
Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein is also up for re-election.
She is being challenged by Danville autism advocate Elizabeth Emken.
State Assembly
For State Assembly District 73, San Clemente teacher James Corbett is challenging the incumbent, Dana Point Republican Diane Harkey.
Other Non-partisan
Other non-partisan contests on the Dana Point ballot include South Orange County Community College District Board elections for Trustee Areas 1, 3 and 7 and a Municipal Water District Board race where incumbent Director Susan Hinman is challenged by businesswoman Vanessa A. Mathews.
11 Ballot Propositions
Proposition 30 would increase sales taxes and income taxes for those earning more than $250,000 a year in order to fund schools and community colleges, as well as public safety services.
Proposition 31 would establish a two-year budgeting cycle, as well as force the state legislature to offset any spending over $25 million with corresponding budget cuts. It also forces a performance review of all state programs, as well as allows local governments to alter how laws governing state-funded programs apply to them.
Proposition 32 would forbid payroll deductions by unions or corporations to be used for political purposes. It would also prohibit unions or corporations from contributing directly to candidates or candidate committees.
Proposition 33 would allow auto insurance companies to set prices based on whether a driver has previously had insurance.
Proposition 34 would abolish the death penalty in the state, making life without parole the maximum sentence for those found guilty of murder. It would apply retroactively; meaning those currently under a death sentence would be commuted to life sentences.
Proposition 35 would increase the penalties for human trafficking, allowing for sentences up to life in prison, in some cases. It requires those found guilty of trafficking to register as sex offender, and to provide information on their internet access and identities.
Proposition 36 changes the state’s “three-strikes law,” to impose a life sentence only in the case of a serious or violent felony conviction. It would also allow the state to re-asses those currently facing life sentences for non-violent felonies.
Proposition 37 would require labels on food that either is genetically modified, or processed food with genetically modified ingredients. Certain foods would be exempt from labeling. Genetically modified foods would also be prohibited from being labeled as “natural.”
Proposition 38 would increase personal income tax rates on annual earnings over $7,316 using sliding scale from .4% for lowest individual earners to 2.2% for individuals earning over $2.5 million, for twelve years, and allocates 60% of revenues to K-12 schools, 30% to repaying state debt, and 10% to early childhood programs for the first four years.
Proposition 39 requires multi-state businesses to calculate their state income tax liability based on the percentage of their sales in the state.
Proposition 40 would accept the State Senate districts drawn by the Citizen Redistricting Commission. If rejected, the boundary lines will be adjusted by officials, supervised by the state Supreme Court.
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DANA POINT POLLING PLACES
Richard Henry Dana Elementary School
24242 La Cresta Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629
Precincts 0041100, 0041224
South Shores Church
32712 Crown Valley Pky
Dana Point, CA 92629
Precincts 0041119, 0041313
Dana Hills High School
33333 Golden Lantern St
Dana Point, CA 92629
Precincts 0041121, 0041302
Del Obispo Community Center
34052 Del Obispo St
Dana Point, CA 92629
Precincts 0041122, 0041294
Del Obispo Community Center
34052 Del Obispo St
Dana Point, CA 92629
Precincts 0041123, 0041300
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
33501 Stonehill Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629
Precincts 0041124, 0041301
Aegis of Dana Point
26922 Camino De Estrella
Capistrano Beach, CA 92624
Precincts 0041154, 0041169
Fire Station #29
26111 Victoria Blvd
Capistrano Beach, CA 92624-1127
Precincts 0041155, 0041156
Christ Lutheran Church
35522 Camino Capistrano
San Clemente, CA 92672
Precinct 0041158
Faith Lutheran Church
34381 Calle Portola
Capistrano Beach, CA 92624
Precincts 0041161, 0041162
Wilcox Residence
33072 Marina Vista Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629-1101
Precincts 0041291, 0041293
Roknich Residence
32962 Danapoplar
Dana Point, CA 92629
Precinct 0041292
First Team Real Estate Office
32451 Golden Lantern # 210
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-5342
Precinct 0041296
City Plaza/Council Chambers
33282 Golden Lantern St
Dana Point, CA 92629
Precincts 0041298, 0041299
Seaside Villas Clubhouse
33715 Surfside Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629-2153
Precincts 0041304, 0041305
Dana Point Library
33841 Niguel Rd
Dana Point, CA 92629
Precincts 0041375, 0041378
Niguel Shores Community Center
33654 Niguel Shores Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629
Precincts 0041377, 0041379
–Andrea Swayne
