November 7, 2017 (Parcel Tax)

Election - November 7, 2017

On July 19, 2017, the City Council adopted an Ordinance calling a Special Election for November 7, 2017. The ordinance ordered the submission to Atherton registered voters a Measure to renew the Parcel Tax for an additional three years and increase the Appropriations Limit to permit spending the proceeds of the Parcel Tax for the same period. For more information about the Town's Special Parcel Tax please visit the Special Parcel Tax webpage.

The Council placed the following advisory measure on the ballot for consideration:

Ballot Question

To continue providing funding to maintain neighborhood police patrols and the Town’s ability to respond to emergencies, repairing and maintaining streets, and repairing and constructing storm drains, shall an ordinance be adopted to continue a Special Parcel Tax for three years and allowing for the expenditure of funds derived from such tax?

Results

The number of YES votes for Measure F was 981. The number of NO votes for Measure F was 884. The City Council declared (by resolution) that as a result of the election, Measure F did not receive the necessary two-thirds “yes” votes of the ballots cast in the election required for passage, and thus the measure was deemed Failed.

Text of the Measure

View the full text of the measure (PDF).

Election Details

Argument in Favor of Measure (PDF)

Authors of this Argument:

Mayor Michael Lempres
Vice Mayor Cary Wiest
Council Member Elizabeth Lewis
Council Member Bill Widmer
Council Member Rick DeGolia

Argument Against Measure (PDF)
Authors of this Argument:

Sandy Crittenden
Jim Massey
Charles Ramorino

The deadline for the filing of a rebuttal ballot argument, not to exceed 250 words is on Monday, August 28. The City Clerk's Department requests the argument no later than 3pm. This argument rebuts the primary arguments for and against.

Rebuttal to Argument Against Measure (PDF)
-Same Authors who wrote the Measure For

Rebuttal to Argument For Measure (PDF)
- Same Authors who wrote the Measure Against

City Attorneys Impartial Analysis
Authored by Atherton City Attorney Bill Conners
View analysis (PDF)

General Information

Rebuttals, like primary arguments, must include the standard argument submission form and include the following title:

"Argument in Favor of Measure ___" or "Argument Against Measure ___" and "Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure ___" or "Rebuttal to Argument Against Measure ___" respectively.

There is a 10-calendar day examination period for public review of all arguments. The review period for primary arguments in favor of or against ballot measures started at 5 pm on August 18. The review period for rebuttals to primary arguments in favor of or against ballot measures started at 3 pm on August 28.

For more information, please email Theresa DellaSanta, City Clerk - (650) 752-0529

Staff Report History

The City Council discussed the ordinance at their July 19 meeting. Links to the staff reports are below.

Staff Report calling the election and submitting the ordinance to the electorate (PDF)

Staff Report setting priorities for primary arguments (PDF)

Campaign Signs in Atherton

Election signs are permitted as follows

Right-of-way
Political signs are allowed in front of residences as long as they are 6’ back from the edge of the paved road. Signs placed closer than 6’ will be removed by Public Works staff and stored in the corporation yard where they can be picked up. You can email Judi Herren to coordinate pick up.

Private Property
Not to exceed 150 square feet.

Town Property
Signs placed on Town property will be removed immediately and stored in the corporation yard. You can contact Deputy City Clerk Judi Herren at jherren@ci.atherton.ca.us to coordinate pick up.

Important Election Dates

September 28 – October 27
Between these dates, the County Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet will be mailed to each voter who is registered at least 29 days prior to the election.

Thursday, September 28
First pre-election campaign statement for candidates and committees is due for the period ending September 23, 2017.

October 9 – October 31
Between these dates, any registered voter may request a Vote by Mail Ballot. Any requests received prior to October 9, 2017 will be kept and processed during this period.

Monday, October 23
Voter registration closes. Voters must register by this date to be eligible to vote in this election. Voter registration forms postmarked on or before with this date are accepted.

Tuesday, October 24
Conditional voter registration and provisional voting at the Elections Division at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo.

Thursday, October 26
Second pre-election campaign statement for candidates and committees is due for the period ending October 21, 2017.

Tuesday, November 7
Election Day. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Thursday, December 7
Last day for County to certify election results.

Election Day Information (from the County)

1. Vote by Mail
Learn about Voting by Mail
Permanent Vote by Mail Application
Learn more on how to receive a vote by mail ballot for all qualified elections without having to apply each time.

2. Vote Early at the Voting Centers
California law allows voters to cast their ballot any time during the 29 day period prior to Election Day. You may vote in person with your mailed ballot or on the electronic voting machine (eSlate).

Voting Centers for November 7, 2017 Election are located at:

San Mateo County Elections Division, 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402
Office of the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
South San Francisco Main Library, 840 West Orange Ave., South San Francisco 94080

Voting Center Hours:

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, November 4, 2017, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Election Day, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

3. Vote at the Polls on Election Day
The eSlate is an electronic voting device, also known as a Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting system.
Visit the eSlate Learning Center to learn more.
How to mark a paper ballot
Step by step instructions on how to mark a paper ballot.

4. Mobile Voting Program Options
For voters with disabilities who are not able to or do not wish to vote at polling places or at established voting centers, the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division offers three options to assist when given a minimum 24-hour notice. To view these options, visit the County webpage.