Election 2018

Tomorrow, Nov. 8, is election day, and more than 20,000 registered voters in the city limits and within the Morgan Hill Unified School District boundaries will join millions of their fellow Americans in deciding who will represent them from the local to the federal level.

Polls throughout Santa Clara County will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Returns will begin to be posted on the Registrar of Voters’ website shortly after the polls close, though a complete counting of the ballots could last well into the morning of Nov. 9.

Sample ballots sent by mail to registered voters in October list each individual voter’s designated polling place. Voters can also determine where they should go to vote by visiting the Registrar of Voters website at sccvote.org, or by calling (800) 345-8683, or by texting “Vote” to 468683 (GOVOTE) on a mobile device.

Local races on the Nov. 8 ballot in Morgan Hill include the mayor’s seat, two city council positions, three seats on the Morgan Hill Unified School District board of trustees and a director’s seat at the Santa Clara Valley Water District, as well as three measures on growth and public services, and 17 state propositions.

Running for mayor are incumbent Steve Tate, Kirk Bertolet and Joseph Carrillo. The winner will serve a two-year term.

Five candidates running for council are incumbents Larry Carr and Marilyn Librers, as well as Mario Banuelos, Armando Benavides and Rene Spring. The top two vote recipients in this race will win the two available seats, to serve a four-year term.

In MHUSD Trustee Area 5, running for the single seat are incumbent Tom Arnett and Angelica Diaz.

Candidates running for the trustee’s seat in MHUSD Trustee Area 6 are incumbent Rick Badillo, Albert Beltran Jr. and Mary Patterson.

For the SCVWD director’s seat, appointed incumbent John Varela faces off with challenger Tom Cruz.

The ballot text for the following three measures will also appear on the ballots for Morgan Hill voters:

Measure A (requires a two-thirds majority): To provide affordable local housing for vulnerable populations including veterans, seniors, the disabled, low and moderate income individuals or families, foster youth, victims of abuse, the homeless and individuals suffering from mental health or substance abuse illnesses, which housing may include supportive mental health and substance abuse services, shall the County of Santa Clara issue up to $950 million in general obligation bonds to acquire or improve real property subject to independent citizen oversight and regular audits?

Measure B (requires a two-thirds majority): To relieve traffic, repair potholes; shall VTA enact a 30-year half-cent sales tax to:

Repair streets, fix potholes in all 15 cities;

Finish BART extension to downtown San Jose, Santa Clara;

Improve bicycle/pedestrian safety, especially near schools;

Increase Caltrain capacity, easing highway congestion, improving safety at crossings;

Relieve traffic on all 9 expressways, key highway interchanges;

Enhance transit for seniors, students, disabled;

Mandating annual audits by independent citizens watchdog committee to ensure accountability.

Measure S (requires a simple majority): Shall a measure be adopted to amend the Morgan Hill General Plan and Municipal Code to update the City’s voter-approved Residential Development Control System (RDCS) to extend it to 2035, establish a population ceiling of 58,200, with a slower rate of growth than currently exists, and improve policies to maintain neighborhood character, encourage more efficient land use, conserve water, and preserve open space?

Not to be overlooked on the Nov. 8 ballot is the choice for president, U.S. senate and congressional seats and state and regional offices.

For more information, visit the registrar’s website at sccvote.org.

Previous article‘The Lion King’ is a glowing experience
Next articleStudents weigh transfer options at college fair

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here