Ballot returns for Elk Grove running at 25 percent with six days until voting ends

With six days until voting ends, about 25 percent of ballots from Elk Grove voters have been returned to Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections.

Data compiled by Political Data Inc. show that 27,921 of the 112,921 ballots distributed to voters have been returned. There are 84,217 outstanding ballots.

Unlike in 2022, when there were several competitive races in Elk Grove for the Elk Grove City Council, Elk Grove Unified School Board, the State Assembly, and the State Senate, there are only a couple of competitive races in Elk Grove city limits.

Although Bobbie Singh-Allen is being challenged by two opponents, Brian Pastor and Lynn Wheat, she is favored to win a record third term as mayor. Two incumbent Elk Grove City Council members, Kevin Spease and Darren Suen, are unopposed.

For California Assembly District 10, freshman Democratic incumbent Stephnie Nguyen is being challenged by Republican Vinaya Singh. Nguyen easily beat Singh, the only opponent in the March primary, by a 68 to 32 percent advantage and is expected to perform similarly in the general election. 

The Elk Grove Unified School District Area 6 race is one of interest. Located on Elk Grove's southwest side, Area 6 has candidates Jennifer Ballerini and Jacqueline Ortiz competing for Nancy Chaires-Espnoza's vacant position. 

Although Democratic registration is higher in Elk Grove than Republican or independent, as of yesterday's tallies, return rates are lagging. Thirty percent of Republican voters have returned ballots, compared to 26 percent for Democratic votes and 18 percent for independents. 

While Democratic return rates lag Republicans, they outpace other groups in the number of ballots cast. So far, 13,634 Democratic votes have been cast, compared to 8,264 for Republicans and 6,023 for independents.