SJUSD Special Election 2023: Who’s running and how to vote

Sentinel staff report–
The special election to replace the school board seat left vacant by the late Steve Miller will be held Nov. 7, with vote-by-mail ballots being sent out on Oct. 6 to registered voters in the district.

Two candidates are running for school board for the Area 7 seat on the San Juan Unified School District’s governing board. Candidate Murad “Moe” Sarama has been endorsed by Citrus Heights Councilwoman Porsche Middleton as well as the Democratic Party of Sacramento County, while candidate Manuel Perez has been endorsed by Vice Mayor Bret Daniels and the Sacramento County Republican Party.

A news release on Friday from the Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections office said ballots may be returned at either of two drop box locations at Citrus Heights City Hall and the Rusch Park Community Center, or at the Voter Registration and Elections office in south Sacramento. Ballot drop-offs are accepted from Oct. 6 through Election Day.

An in-person vote center will also be open from Oct. 28 to Nov. 7, at the Crosswoods Community Center, located at 6742 Auburn Blvd., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with extended hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. City Hall will not serve as a vote center this year, but ballots can be dropped off at City Hall 24 hours a day, according to the county’s elections website. Hours are more restrictive at the Rusch Park drop-off site.

The Area 7 school board seat largely covers Citrus Heights, except for several portions of the city south of Greenback Lane and east of Mariposa Avenue.

Voters can view the campaign websites for each candidate below:

• Moe Sarama: www.sarama.vote
• Manuel Perez: manuelperezforsjusd.com