Election to replace Maldonado gets OK for June

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The Department of Justice has signed off on a June 22 election to replace state Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), who was confirmed last month as lieutenant governor.

The election had been on hold pending a sign-off from justice officials. Because of a history of past civil rights violations, an election in Monterey County must first be approved by the federal government. The 15th Senate District includes parts of Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara and Santa Clara counties.

A federal judge had temporarily placed the election on hold. But Thursday’s Justice Department sign-off makes the pending court case moot, said Aaron McLear, a spokesman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

‘The hurdle was the pre-clearance from DOJ, and that happened yesterday, so we’re all good to go,’ McLear said.

Democrats wanted the race to be moved to November. They believed a later election would give Democrat John Laird a better chance to win the seat. Republican Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo), is the leading Republican in the race.

The election will now go ahead June 22 -- the date chosen by Schwarzenegger. If no candidate receives 50% of the vote, the top vote-getter in each party will advance to an Aug.17 run-off.

--Anthony York in Sacramento