Morgan Hill – South Valley voters have a chance to play a small but crucial role today in shaping the country’s future, while the most exciting races locally will involve electing a new mayor, two city council members, a controversial Santa Clara County land use measure, the city’s school board race and a raft of state initiatives.
Political pundits have dubbed the 11th Congressional district based in Tracy, where incumbent Republican Richard Pombo is fighting for his political life against Democrat Jerry McNerney, as a toss-up that could help shift control of Congress to Democrats. The district, which includes Morgan Hill voters and those east of Gilroy, is considered a Republican stronghold, though an influx of San Franciscans searching for affordable housing and a national tide of anti-Republican sentiment have helped put the district in play this year.
“I think it’s a real toss-up and again and I think it depends on turnout,” said Terry Christensen, a political science professor at San Jose State University. “I think if Democrats get out and vote up there, I think it will be a real squeaker.”
Morgan Hill residents may not have a chance to affect politics on the national stage, but the city will have its say in a number of controversial races. Topping the list is Measure A, an initiative backed by a consortium of environmental groups, that seeks to restrict the number of homes that can be constructed on hill sides and ranch lands. Political observers believe the urban makeup of Santa Clara County leaves little hope for the opposition, made up of farmers, Realtors and homeowners.
On the state level, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appears to have bucked the national anti-Republican sentiment and appears safely on the path to re-election. Down-ticket elections for lieutenant governor and secretary of state also could swing Republican, though Democrats hope that a strong turnout could help swing the balance in their favor.
Roughly 50 percent of Santa Clara County’s 750,000 voters are expected to cast ballots in this election, and more than a third will use absentee ballots, according to Registrar of Voters Jesse Durazo. The figures represent a 25 percent jump in absentee registrations since the June primaries, far more than the standard 10 percent increase. Durazo said convenience is a big factor in the spike, but not the only one.
“I believe that when there is not a whole lot of voter unrest, the turnout tends to be status quo,” he said. “Now when they’re upset, I believe that the percentage of numbers do go up.”
Voters today will also decide on whether to approve bonds for billions of dollars in new infrastructure spending, including money for new levees, roads and schools. A small but faithful group of cigar-puffing voters fear that Proposition 86, which would impose a $2.60 tax on each pack of cigarettes and steer it toward anti-smoking education and health programs, could force the shuttering of the Morgan Hill Tobacco Company.
Alex Kennett is running for city council in Morgan Hill, and going door to door drumming up support for Democratic causes. Voters have not been this energized, he said, since the Republican takeover of congress in 1994.
“The apathy seems to be pretty much gone,” Kennett said. “In walking neighborhoods, I haven’t run into one person who said ‘I’m not voting. My vote doesn’t count.’ so that’s been a great thing.
“Starting at 5 o’clock tomorrow night,” he added, “I’m going to start watching the poll results from the East Coast. I’m really looking at the big picture. My race is important, but the 11th District race is more important.”
Serdar Tumgoren, Senior Staff Writer, covers City Hall for the Dispatch. Reach him at 847-7109 or st*******@************ch.com.
