As the 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election concludes, Olivia Hale, San Joaquin County’s Assistant Registrar of Voters, issued the following statement: “We are happy to report things ran smoothly during yesterday’s election. Polls opened right on time and we saw a steady stream of voters coming in to vote in person or to drop off Vote by Mail ballots at one of our 127 polling places. Ballot counting is proceeding efficiently and accurately which allows poll results to post as expeditiously as possible. This is due to the excellent work Registrar of Voters Heather Ditty completed in advance of the election, and the resiliency of our election officials. Even though Heather couldn’t be with us on Election Day, her hard work, energy, spirit and commitment was on full display.

In spite of the recent and unfortunate passing of the Registrar of Voters Heather Ditty, San Joaquin County was fully prepared for today’s election. This is a reflection of the excellent work she completed in advance of the election, and the resiliency of our election officials. So far, we’re happy to report things are running smoothly. Polls opened right on time at 7 a.m.

In response to the unexpected passing of San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters Heather Ditty, San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chairman Chuck Winn released the following statement:

San Joaquin County Department of Agriculture, in partnership with Amador, Calaveras, Yolo, and Sacramento Counties, are planning to host an Agricultural Pesticide Collection and Disposal Event in the late summer/early fall. This event is specifically for agricultural use (unwanted or legacy) pesticides from growers that farm in the participating counties.

San Joaquin County Public Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park told the Board of Supervisors yesterday that COVID-19 case rates, hospitalizations, and deaths are starting to slowly increase. COVID-19 case rates have risen from 6.5 per 100,000 on April 18th to 22 per 100,000 on May 23rd. This is likely due to the latest Omicron variant, BA.2.12.1, which is more transmissible than its predecessors.