This coming Tuesday, November 8, the midterm elections will be held in the country, and the general elections in California, and therefore in San Mateo County and the city of Redwood City. So that you have all the necessary information, Península 360 Press has created a brief electoral guide with the main proposals and positions that you can decide with your vote.
State Contests:
- Governor. One year removed from overcoming a recall, Gov. Gavin Newsom is running for a second term against Republican state Sen. Brian Dahle, a representative from northeastern California.
- US Senator from California. Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla and Republican attorney Mark Meuser are running twice on the ballot: once to finish the remainder of the term Padilla was appointed to in 2020, and the other for a new six-year term beginning in January.
- Attorney General. Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta is seeking to remain California's top law enforcement official. He faces Republican Nathan Hochman, a Los Angeles-based attorney and former attorney general.
State Proposals:
- Proposal 1. Should California amend its constitution to include reproductive rights, including access to abortion and contraception? It would prohibit the state from denying or interfering with a person's reproductive freedom, such as the right to abortion and choosing or rejecting contraceptive methods.
- Proposal 26. Should California legalize sports betting in casinos and horse racing, in addition to allowing roulette games in casinos? It would allow tribal casinos, along with California's four private racetracks, to offer sports betting on professional leagues and some college games as well, as long as they do not include California teams.
- Proposal 27. Should California legalize online sports betting? It would allow Californians to place online bets. Gambling companies would have to partner with the government of a California Native American tribe to launch their online application.
- Proposal 28. Should California ensure that 1% of public education funding is reserved for music and arts in every K-12 public school? The amount of funding California provides to schools for arts and music education would be doubled.
- Proposition 29. Should California add new regulations for kidney dialysis clinics? It would require dialysis clinics to have a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant present and prohibit dialysis clinics from refusing to serve patients based on their insurance provider, among other measures.
- Proposition 30. Should California raise personal income taxes on its wealthiest residents to pay for programs to combat climate change and pollution? Would increase taxes by $1.75% on individuals or married couples in California who earn more than $2 million annually to create the Clean Cars and Clean Air Trust Fund, pay for certain electric car rebates, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, wildfire mitigation and firefighter training.
- Proposition 31. Should California ban flavored tobacco products? Since 2020, the retail sale of flavored tobacco products that can be smoked, vaped or eaten has been banned. Hookahs (also known as “hookas”), premium cigars and loose tobacco leaves would now be added.
We also present the races that will appear on the ballot for San Mateo County, so that you are better informed and can make a better decision.
Contests in San Mateo County:
- United States House of Representatives, District 15. For the first time since 2014, a congressional seat is up for grabs in the Bay Area, with the retirement of U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier. State Assemblyman Kevin Mullin finished first in the primary, ahead of San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa.
- Supervisor for district 2. San Mateo-Foster City School District Counselor Noelia Corzo and Belmont Councilmember Charles Stone are running to represent the cities of San Mateo, Foster City and Belmont.
- Supervisor for district 3. Menlo Park Councilmember Ray Mueller and San Carlos Councilmember Laura Parmer-Lohan are running for a vacancy representing the coastal part of the county.
Finally, in the city of Redwood City, district representatives will also be elected and two measures will be voted on, which we present below.
Contests in Redwood City:
District 2. Retired healthcare professional Margaret Becker, he nonprofit event coordinator Chris Sturken and the housing lawyer and businesswoman Alison Madden, they seek to be representatives of this district, which includes Downtown, Centennial and part of Mt. Caramel.
District 5. The lawyer Kaia Eakin, is seeking to represent this district, which includes Redwood Oaks and part of Palm Park. Notably, no other candidates have filed to run for the seat.
District 6. The minister and businessman, Jerom Madigan, and the City Councilor and Nurse Diana Howard They are running to represent this district that includes Eagle Hill, part of Mt. Carmel, Woodside Plaza and Central.
Proposals in Redwood City:
- Z measure Would amend the Redwood City Charter to align the date of the Redwood City General Municipal Election with the date of the State General Election, clarify the date by which Redwood City elections must be certified and City Council members must be sworn in, and provide for the election of City Council members by district to comply with state law.
- Measure P. Would amend the Redwood City Charter to shorten the mayor's term from two years to one, to allow more councilmembers to serve as mayor during their tenure on the City Council.
- Measures. Improve local elementary and secondary schools by repairing and upgrading science, technology, engineering, arts, and math classrooms/labs; making safety/security improvements; improving inadequate heating, cooling, and electrical systems; construction and acquisition of sites/facilities. Authorizes $298 million in bonds at legal rates, raising $$24 for every $$100 thousand of assessed home value.
To confirm the district you live in you can click here.
You may be interested in: Measure S, a path in search of better education and educational services in Redwood City
