Spencer

INTRODUCTION

Petitioners Rebecca Spencer and the Riverside County Registrar of Voters

(collectively “the County”) seek a peremptory writ of mandate directing respondent

Superior Court of Riverside County to vacate its April 19, 2022 order that required the

County to print primary election ballots using candidate Amy Barajas’s designation of

“Senior Deputy District Attorney.” The County contends this ballot designation violates

Elections Code section 13107 and California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 20716,

and that the improper designation must be addressed before the upcoming general

election.

Recognizing the urgency of the matter, we requested an opposition to the petition

and advised the parties we may issue a peremptory writ in the first instance under Palma

v. U.S. Industrial Fasteners, Inc. (1984) 36 Cal.3d 171, 178. No response was filed. We

agree with the County and grant the requested relief.

FACTS

Real Party in Interest Amy Barajas is a candidate running for superior court judge.

Before the primary election earlier this year, Barajas requested the ballot designation of

“Gang Homicide Prosecutor.” The County notified Barajas that the designation…