Voter Guide 2005: Key choices face voters on state, Voter Guide 2005: Key choices face voters on state, (October 26, 2005)local issues and races

By Marion Softky

Almanac Staff Writer

On November 8, local voters will really be participating in two separate elections: a showy, expensive one called by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to bypass the Legislature and "reform" California government; and the more modest off-year election when community voters choose representatives on local boards, and decide on key financing measures.

The statewide election consists of eight ballot propositions, all of which are initiatives; none was put on the ballot by the Legislature.

The governor is supporting four of the initiatives: 74, 75, 76 and 77.

Proposition 74 would extend the probationary period for teachers from two to five years; 75 would require public employee unions to get annual written consent from each member to use a portion of union dues for political activity; 76 would give the governor extensive powers to cut the budget and modify school and transportation funding; and 77 would take the power of redistricting from the Legislature and give it to a panel of three retired judges.

The other statewide measures were put on the ballot by private groups. They relate to notification of parents before a teenager receives an abortion (Prop 73); two competing measures providing prescription drug benefits (78 and 79); and a re-regulation of electric utilities (80).

The nonpartisan League of Women Voters opposes all but one of the state propositions. It supports Proposition 79 to create a new prescription drug program for Californians living at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level.

Local ballots have contested races for several city councils, school boards and special districts; and four measures to raise money.

The weightiest local election will be a $468 million bond issue to renovate and construct facilities at the three campuses of the San Mateo County Community College District. Measure A requires a 55 percent yes vote to pass. Also on the ballot is an election for two seats on the Board of Trustees, with four candidates running.

The liveliest race many be the nine candidates running for three seats on the board of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District.

Voters in Portola Valley will choose three out of four candidates running for the Town Council, and will decide on two tax measures. Measure H would extend the long-running utility users tax for the town's general fund. Measure I (which can't pass if Measure H doesn't) would renew a 2 percent tax of utility bills for open space.

Voters in the Woodside Elementary School District will decide on a $12-million bond measure for school construction. They will also choose three of four candidates for seats on the school board.

In the Sequoia Union High School District, incumbents Gordon Lewin and Sally Stewart are seeking re-election. Noria Zasslow of Menlo Park is also on the ballot, but she has not provided information or responded to requests for interviews.

Voters in Los Trancos Woods and Vista Verde will choose among six candidates for three seats on the board of the Los Trancos County Water District, which recently sold its water system to Cal Water.
INFORMATION

** The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 8. Voter registration closed October 24. ** Abundant information on candidates, their positions, and ballot measures can be found at the county's election Web site: shapethefuture.org; and at the League of Women Voters' information Web site: smartvoter.org.
Mail-in voting

** Mail-in ("absentee") ballots may be requested by registered voters until 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 1. An application can be found on the back of the Sample Ballot or downloaded from shapethefuture.org. ** The ballot may be picked up at the county election office at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo, or at the satellite office at 555 County Center (corner of Hamilton Avenue and Bradford Street) in Redwood City during business hours. ** The ballots can be mailed or returned to county elections officials at polling places or the central offices by 8 p.m. election day. ** To check the status of your ballot, go to shapethefuture.org and click on "New! Track & Confirm Your Absentee Ballot."

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