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A week removed from the November 6 election and the results of local Santa Cruz City Council races and others too close to call remain uncertain. Our county registrar is one of the very best in California and her mantra is “let’s count every vote and make sure the tabulations are correct before releasing vote count updates.” According to the latest update as of November 11, 67% of the ballots issued by the County have been returned which means there are a lot of ballots that still remain to be counted. You can see the update here. Some of the ballot measures have clear winners and losers and the anticipation of the uncounted votes most likely will not change the election evening’s results. With that said, however, it reminds me of Yogi Berra’s famous quote, “It ain’t over until it’s over." The Local Winners Measure M: Locally, the defeat of the City of Santa Cruz Rent Control Measure M with a 2 to 1 voter difference sends a strong signal to the next city Council. If you chose to produce a different type of rent control measure, you better consult with those in the community — landlords and renters — on what is an acceptable option if any. Measure L: It appears that the City of Capitola voters have voted to support Measure L, however, the latest update shows that out of the 4,973 ballots issued, 1,461 have not been counted. That is certainly in the margin of error with only slightly more than 100 votes separating the Yes vs. No on Measure L vote count. Measure G: Santa Cruz County Sales tax passes with a majority of voters saying yes to another sales tax measure. City Council candidates in Scotts Valley: As of November 11, it appears that incumbent council member, Jim Reed and newcomer, Derek Timm are leading the race. Longtime incumbent, Stephanie Aguilar is a distant third and while the remaining uncounted ballots could change the election results - but it appears that we will have a new council member in Scotts Valley next month. City Council candidates in Watsonville: The four city council races by district in Watsonville produced predictable results. Lowell Hurst, Francisco Estrada, Rebecca Garcia and Ari Parker appear to have leads that will keep them ahead of their competitors. Santa Cruz County Supervisor, District 4th District: Incumbent Greg Caput appears to have enough of a vote lead to hold back Jimmy Dutra who fought a hard campaign to unseat the incumbent. The outcome may be unknown until the final vote tabulation (count) is sent to the Secretary of State on December 6. City Council candidates in Capitola: Newcomer Yvette Brooks, incumbent Jacque Bertrand and former council member Sam Storey are set to lead the City Council next month. The main question remaining is what action will the Council take to implement Measure L - if it does receive a majority yes vote? The Local Losers Measure H: The Affordable Housing Bond did receive a majority voter approval but is falling far short of the 2/3 required. The campaign started nearly two plus years ago with broad coalition of community support. However, in a volatile election cycle it is difficult to achieve the 67% approval threshold. The State housing initiatives, Proposition 1 and Proposition 2, passed which will provide much needed funding for housing. The Unknowns The Santa Cruz City Council race for three seats is up in the air as of November 11. The top four candidates are Donna Meyers, Justin Cummins, Greg Larson and Richelle Noroyan with Drew Glover a close fifth. Approximately 1200 votes separate the top candidate from the fifth candidate and with only 65% of votes returned more than 9,000 ballots remain to be counted. This will definitely be a nail biter and we will not have a final tally until December 6. Scotts Valley Unified School District parcel tax is right on the bubble of needing 67% of the voters. With nearly 30% of the votes still to be counted, it is unclear if this parcel tax will hit the 2/3 threshold. Statewide Measures Proposition 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 and 12 have received voter approval as of the November 12 update from the Secretary of State. You can see the update here. The significant defeat of Proposition 6 (the Gas Tax) and Proposition 10 (Repeal of Costa Hawkins) makes a bold statement that infrastructure improvements for our city streets, county roads, highway, bridges and transit services is a priority investment. The voters said not to repeal the current rent control measure, and so the 1995 Costa-Hawkins remains in effect. Local municipalities will need to work within those parameters if they choose to add any type of rent control ordinance in the city. The statewide races for cabinet officials from Governor to State Treasurer show predictable results with only two state wide race still unknown — that Superintendent of Public Instruction where Marshall Tuck holds a .02% lead over Tony Thurmond. In the race to become the next Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara led Steve Poizner by 2% of the vote. The County Registrar will provide another update at the end of the week. Here is the most recent updated report. Elections are always an exercise in our democracy and the will to have every vote be counted is essential to our system. Stay tuned for further updates.
A week removed from the November 6 election and the results of local Santa Cruz City Council races and others too close to call remain uncertain. Our county registrar is one of the very best in California and her mantra is “let’s count every vote and make sure the tabulations are correct before releasing vote count updates.” According to the latest update as of November 11, 67% of the ballots issued by the County have been returned which means there are a lot of ballots that still remain to be counted. You can see the update here.
Some of the ballot measures have clear winners and losers and the anticipation of the uncounted votes most likely will not change the election evening’s results. With that said, however, it reminds me of Yogi Berra’s famous quote, “It ain’t over until it’s over."
The Local Winners
Measure M: Locally, the defeat of the City of Santa Cruz Rent Control Measure M with a 2 to 1 voter difference sends a strong signal to the next city Council. If you chose to produce a different type of rent control measure, you better consult with those in the community — landlords and renters — on what is an acceptable option if any.
Measure L: It appears that the City of Capitola voters have voted to support Measure L, however, the latest update shows that out of the 4,973 ballots issued, 1,461 have not been counted. That is certainly in the margin of error with only slightly more than 100 votes separating the Yes vs. No on Measure L vote count.
Measure G: Santa Cruz County Sales tax passes with a majority of voters saying yes to another sales tax measure.
City Council candidates in Scotts Valley: As of November 11, it appears that incumbent council member, Jim Reed and newcomer, Derek Timm are leading the race. Longtime incumbent, Stephanie Aguilar is a distant third and while the remaining uncounted ballots could change the election results - but it appears that we will have a new council member in Scotts Valley next month.
City Council candidates in Watsonville: The four city council races by district in Watsonville produced predictable results. Lowell Hurst, Francisco Estrada, Rebecca Garcia and Ari Parker appear to have leads that will keep them ahead of their competitors.
Santa Cruz County Supervisor, District 4th District: Incumbent Greg Caput appears to have enough of a vote lead to hold back Jimmy Dutra who fought a hard campaign to unseat the incumbent. The outcome may be unknown until the final vote tabulation (count) is sent to the Secretary of State on December 6.
City Council candidates in Capitola: Newcomer Yvette Brooks, incumbent Jacque Bertrand and former council member Sam Storey are set to lead the City Council next month. The main question remaining is what action will the Council take to implement Measure L - if it does receive a majority yes vote?
The Local Losers
Measure H: The Affordable Housing Bond did receive a majority voter approval but is falling far short of the 2/3 required. The campaign started nearly two plus years ago with broad coalition of community support. However, in a volatile election cycle it is difficult to achieve the 67% approval threshold.
The State housing initiatives, Proposition 1 and Proposition 2, passed which will provide much needed funding for housing.
The Unknowns
The Santa Cruz City Council race for three seats is up in the air as of November 11. The top four candidates are Donna Meyers, Justin Cummins, Greg Larson and Richelle Noroyan with Drew Glover a close fifth. Approximately 1200 votes separate the top candidate from the fifth candidate and with only 65% of votes returned more than 9,000 ballots remain to be counted. This will definitely be a nail biter and we will not have a final tally until December 6.
Scotts Valley Unified School District parcel tax is right on the bubble of needing 67% of the voters. With nearly 30% of the votes still to be counted, it is unclear if this parcel tax will hit the 2/3 threshold.
Statewide Measures
Proposition 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 and 12 have received voter approval as of the November 12 update from the Secretary of State. You can see the update here.
The significant defeat of Proposition 6 (the Gas Tax) and Proposition 10 (Repeal of Costa Hawkins) makes a bold statement that infrastructure improvements for our city streets, county roads, highway, bridges and transit services is a priority investment.
The voters said not to repeal the current rent control measure, and so the 1995 Costa-Hawkins remains in effect. Local municipalities will need to work within those parameters if they choose to add any type of rent control ordinance in the city.
The statewide races for cabinet officials from Governor to State Treasurer show predictable results with only two state wide race still unknown — that Superintendent of Public Instruction where Marshall Tuck holds a .02% lead over Tony Thurmond. In the race to become the next Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara led Steve Poizner by 2% of the vote.
The County Registrar will provide another update at the end of the week. Here is the most recent updated report.
Elections are always an exercise in our democracy and the will to have every vote be counted is essential to our system. Stay tuned for further updates.