CHULA VISTA - Voters in Chula Vista may have to cast ballots again for one city government position.
According to the latest count, only about 700 votes separate the late Simon Silva and his opponent Dan Smith. Silva, a former Deputy City Attorney, died after a second battle with cancer back in September and by then it was too late to take his name off the ballot.
"If Simon Silva ends up winning the election there will absolutely need to be a special election,” outgoing Chula Vista City Attorney Glen Googins told NBC 7. “The County Registrar has given an estimate of anywhere between $1.5 and 2 million. That number could go down if it’s a mail ballot election.”
What could help with that is the passage of Measure K, which amends the Chula Vista City Charter to allow for mail-in ballots for a special election.
Chula Vista's new mayor and City Council will weigh options and look into how to proceed with a special election for the City Attorney position next month.
Photo: City of Chula Vista