Dear Center Community,

I’m Gloria Cruz Cardenas (she/they), The Center’s Chief Impact Officer, and I’m urging District 1 voters to vote in the County Supervisorial Special Election on July 1. Voters will have the opportunity to elect a new representative on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, which will shape the future of our county and our local LGBTQ+ community.

The County Board of Supervisors plays a crucial role in funding and overseeing health and human services, public safety, behavioral health services, housing programs, economic development, and much more in our binational region. With one seat on the Board still vacant, we have a critical opportunity to elect someone who will stand up for the services our community relies on.

This election is only open to residents of Supervisorial District 1, which includes:

• Chula Vista
• Imperial Beach
• National City
• Some communities within the City of San Diego, such as Barrio Logan, East Village, and Golden Hill
• Unincorporated areas of Bonita, East Otay Mesa, Lincoln Acres, Sunnyside, and La Presa

To confirm whether you are in District 1 and eligible to vote, find your district on the Registrar of Voters website.

Why This Election Matters

This election is happening at a critical moment when our LGBTQ+ community members—especially trans and nonbinary people and LGBTQ+ immigrants—are facing heightened threats from anti-LGBTQ legislation, harmful federal policies, and divisive rhetoric. When our federal government fails us, our local leaders are a crucial line of defense for protecting our community. Encouraging our community to participate in this election is essential to ensure our local elected officials prioritize urgent issues like housing, mental wellness and behavioral health, and immigrant rights, which impact many vulnerable residents in District 1.

Thanks to our advocacy with the San Diego LGBTQIA+ Regional Table—which includes The San Diego LGBT Community Center, San Diego Pride, North County LGBTQ Resource Center, and TransFamily Support Services—we successfully secured funding for the Immigrant Legal Defense Program and LGBTQ-affirming housing and homelessness prevention services in the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 County budget. While this is an incredible win for our community, this funding has been significantly scaled back from what it was before, along with funding for other essential services like Medi-Cal and CalFresh staffing and tenant legal aid. These initiatives are lifelines for many people in our community, and upcoming federal policy changes are expected to exacerbate the need for these services.

That’s why it’s more important that we fill the vacant seat on the County Board of Supervisors with someone who sees the value of these programs and will fight to protect and expand them. Our advocacy has shown us that we can make this happen if we come together!

With a population of about 650,000 in District 1, it is vital that we mobilize voters to make their voices heard. Special elections like this often see lower turnout than presidential or gubernatorial elections, but they shape the future of our communities just as powerfully. From housing and healthcare to tenant protections and environmental justice in the Tijuana River Valley, this election will decide the direction of policies that impact our daily lives.

We cannot afford to sit this one out and your vote can make a difference.

How to Vote

All registered voters in District 1 will have received a ballot by mail starting the week of June 2. Here’s how you can cast your vote:

• Mail-in Voting: Complete your ballot at home and return it via U.S. Postal Service.
• Ballot Drop Boxes: Drop off your ballot at one of 29 official drop boxes throughout the district, which will accept ballots until 8pm on July 1.
• Election Day Voting: On July 1, 13 vote centers will be open from 7am-8pm.

Make a plan to vote and encourage others to do the same because every vote matters! Your vote is your voice. Use your voting power and show up for this election, for each other, and for the future of our San Diego community.

In community,

Gloria Cruz Cardenas (she/they)
Chief Impact Officer