With ballots being sent out to voters in Santa Monica and Malibu, voters noticed that school bond measures intended solely within School Facility Improvement District #1 (Santa Monica) and District #2 (Malibu) both appeared on the Nov. 5 election ballot. Santa Monica’s Measure QS and Malibu’s Measure MM will both be on city ballots next month, though the RR/CC office is attempting to rectify the scenario.
"We take full responsibility for this error," Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan said in a Sunday press release. "Although we cannot modify the voting materials at this stage, we will ensure that only votes cast by eligible voters within the defined SFID boundaries are reported and certified. The election results will not include votes from outside these specific areas."
The RR/CC release reiterated that only ballots cast by qualified voters within the City of Santa Monica on Election Day will be reported and certified for Measure QS, and only votes cast in the City of Malibu and adjacent areas within the district will be reported and certified for Measure MM. Notifications to voters are currently in preparation to explain the situation.
School district officials met with the RR/CC office on Monday to further discuss the situation, with the district sending out a news release during the afternoon hours stating it in communication "to make sure the County puts in place all processes and safeguards" to ensure voters "have appropriate information" on the upcoming votes.
"We are seeking a clear and clean vote on our two bond measures," SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton said. "The democratic voting process is the foundation of our freedoms and the County Registrar is assuring us that the vote will count in your area of eligibility. We encourage everyone to share this information with neighbors, family and friends."
Measure QS calls for authorizing $495 million for facility work such as repairing and replacing leaky school roofs and other classroom upgrades. Notable supporters were listed as State Senator Ben Allen, Vice Mayor Lana Negrete and SMMUSD Board of Education member Alicia Mignano; while opponents include the Pico Neighborhood Association and Friends of Sunset Park.
Malibu’s Measure MM asks for a $395 million bond to remove asbestos, lead and hazardous materials "where needed," as well as other classroom and library upgrades. Supporters include Malibu Mayor Pro Tim Marianne Riggins and SMMUSD Board of Education member Stacy Rouse, while no notable opponents were submitted on the ballot.
Both measures will require 55% voter approval to pass at election time. In 2018, Santa Monica voters passed $485 million bond Measure SMS with 72% of the vote, while Malibu voters passed $195 million bond Measure M the same year with 70% approval.
thomas@smdp.com
