Markham seeking to retain Lake County Superior Court seat
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Lake County Superior Court judge is asking for the community’s support of his election to his first full term this spring, which he’s pursuing as a write-in candidate.
Incumbent Judge J. David Markham is running in the March 3 election to continue serving in the position of Lake County Superior Court judge.
“I want to confirm categorically that I am indeed running to retain my position as a judge,” said Markham.
He serves as assistant presiding judge, with his primary assignment being the felony case calendars.
A well-known Lake County attorney, Markham practiced law for 17 years before he was appointed to the bench by Gov. Brown in 2017 to fill the unexpired term of retiring Judge Richard Martin. He was sworn in at a February 2018 ceremony.
Markham’s seat is up for election on the March ballot. Judge’s seats are elected for six-year terms.
An incumbent judge seeking another term isn’t out of the ordinary, but Markham’s approach as a write-in is different.
“Due to a combination of factors, there was a failure in the filing notification process,” said Markham.
Specifically, with the presidential primary now falling in March, rather than June, filing deadlines are months earlier. Expecting to file early this year, Markham missed the earlier Dec. 6 filing deadline.
“Therefore, even though I am unopposed for the office of Superior Court judge, I am required to conduct a write-in campaign in the March 3 election,” he said.
Running as a write-in candidate has its own unique requirements, according to the California Secretary of State’s Office.
While the declaration of candidacy and nomination paper filing period ended on Dec. 6 for most candidates – with the exception of those in races where the incumbent didn’t file, which was extended several days – write-in candidates have from Jan. 6 to Feb. 18 to submit their statement of write-in candidacy and nomination papers.
Interim Lake County Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley confirmed to Lake County News on Thursday that Markham has fulfilled those requirements.
Write-in candidates such as Markham must also educate the voting public about how the voting process works for them.
Due to no one having submitted papers by the December deadline, no candidates’ names will be printed on the ballot.
So voters need to understand that they must write in the candidate’s name in the blank box next to the office of Lake County Superior Court judge on the ballot and then check the box next to the name.
Markham said he’s already received commitments from dozens of local volunteers to assist with his write-in campaign.
There is precedent for a write-in candidate to win a local race. In fact, the only time it’s been done in decades was when Betty Irwin ran for justice court judge of the Clearlake-Highlands Judicial District in 1982, according to Fridley.
Fridley said Irwin received enough votes in that year’s primary to finish in the top two vote-getters, which earned her a place on the ballot on Nov. 2, 1982. Ultimately, Irwin won the race and took office in 1983.
Markham said he is not accepting any monetary donations. “There are other causes in Lake County that can use your money,” he said, asking instead that people help him by sharing word of his write-in campaign.
For more information about Markham visit his website.
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