Get a Jump on Election: Read the Ballot Language for WCCUSD Measures

It's often said that voters pay no attention to fall elections until at least after Labor Day, but the Contra Costa County Elections Division gets prepared much sooner.

That holiday milestone has passed, so more voters are beginning to pay attention to the various campaigns. Some will vote early, and some will wait to see how the campaigns shake out. Either way, informational tools are available.

Voters in the West Contra Costa Unified School District can start now in the process. Below is the approved ballot language for two measures. One is a $360 million bond measure for school facilities. The other asks voters to extend an existing properly parcel tax for five years.

Measure E, the bond measure, requires approval of 55 percent of votes cast to pass. Measure G, the property tax extension, requires a two-thirds majority to pass.

For the eager early-birds, the first day to vote by mail will be Oct. 8 and the last is Oct. 30. The last day to register to vote in the 2012 election is Oct. 22. The election itself is Nov. 6.

The following is from the website of the county elections division, which also has the language for all measures in Contra Costa County.

BOND MEASURE E
WEST CONTRA COSTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

To make schools safe, complete essential health/safety repairs, qualify for State matching grants, shall West Contra Costa Unified School District upgrade schools for earthquake safety and handicap accessibility, remove asbestos, upgrade science labs, restrooms, vocational classrooms, technology and energy systems to reduce costs, install lighting and security systems, and acquire, repair, construct, equipment, sites and facilities, by issuing $360,000,000 in bonds within legal rates and bonding capacity limits with independent audits, citizen oversight, and no money for administrators’ salaries?

PARCEL TAX MEASURE G
WEST CONTRA COSTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

To maintain quality education with local funding the State cannot take away, including protecting core academics – reading, writing, math, science, attracting and retaining quality teachers, providing lower class sizes for the youngest children, preparing students for college and the workforce, and improving safety on and around school campuses, shall West Contra Costa Unified School District renew its existing parcel tax for five years, keeping the current rate, with no funds for administrator salaries, exempting seniors and requiring citizen oversight?

Will you vote on these measures or not? Is the ballot language sufficient for you to make up your mind about how to vote?