Yorba Linda voters might play role in selecting presidential candidates; GOP committee posts among key races impacting this city's elections

Maybe – just maybe – Yorba Lindans will actually help select the Democratic and Republican nominees for president in the June 7 primary election. If so, it'll be the first primary in city history that residents will have played a role in choosing both of the major party standard-bearers.

Usually, candidates have garnered enough delegates to win nomination before the state's June primary. Even when balloting was moved to March in 1996, 2000 and 2004 and the presidential primary to February 2008, one or both party nominees were already assured.

And if the nominations haven't been decided before Yorba Linda votes in June, the city's often weak primary election turnout might see a substantial boost.

In the June 2012 primary, just 33.4 percent of the city's registered voters cast ballots, a significant drop from 2004's 43.9 percent and 2000's 62 per cent. In 2008, the February

presidential vote drew 56.4 percent, while 23.3 percent voted in the regular June primary.

At last count, the city's 40,839 registered voters included 22,349 Republicans (54.7 percent); 8,692 Democrats (21.3 percent); and 8,150 no party preference (20 percent).

Each time I update these numbers, I receive an email or two chastising me for omitting the minor parties. They are American Independent, 1,066; Libertarian, 292; Green, 106; Peace and Freedom, 56; and miscellaneous, 128 (all totaling 4 percent).

One interesting aspect of the primary will be Donald Trump's vote total from city Republicans, compared to his previous ballot appearance in 2000 for the Reform Party nomination. Under rules then in effect, he could draw votes from registrants of other parties.

Trump's Yorba Linda vote totaled 45, coming mostly from Republicans (28 votes). He also won six Democratic, two Reform, one American Independent and eight non-affiliated votes.

His campaign for the nomination lasted four months, but he won the two Reform primaries he entered, California with 15,311 votes and Michigan with 2,164 votes, even though he dropped out before voting. (Pat Buchanan was the Reform nominee.)

Another key race is for six slots representing Yorba Linda, Placentia, Brea and La Habra on the county Republican Central Committee.

It's important because the group makes party endorsements for non-partisan offices that influence this city's voting, as in the case in the 2014 recall and regular council elections.

City residents hold five of the posts: Brett Barbre, Karla Downing, Dennis White and council members Gene Hernandez and Peggy Huang. La Habra Councilman Tim Shaw is the sixth member.

Filing deadline is March 11. So far, in addition to incumbents, Councilman Craig Young and resident James Gerbus have filed candidacy declarations.

Only candidate for the Democratic committee so far is Placentia resident Molly Muro. If six or fewer enter the races, all of the qualified filers are appointed without appearing on the ballot.