Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday signed an executive order requiring all voters in the 25th Congressional District to receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the May 12 special election in an effort to protect public health and safety during the coronavirus outbreak.

The order also authorizes and encourages election officials to make in-person voting opportunities available on or before Election Day.

Assemblywoman Christy Smith, D-Santa Clarita, will face Republican Mike Garcia, a Navy fighter pilot during the Iraq War who became an executive with the aerospace firm Raytheon Co., to fill the final seven months of the term of former Rep. Katie Hill, D-Santa Clarita, who resigned Nov. 1 amid allegations of a relationship with a staff member and the online release of explicit photos.

The 25th Congressional District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, and portions of the northern San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley and eastern Ventura County.

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