In each election, Greenbelt Alliance offers recommendations for your vote on important conservation and smart growth decisions in our Bay Area Voter Guide.
November 2018 Voter Guide
South Bay
SAN JOSE | Yes to Measure V
This measure authorizes a $450 million bond to fund affordable housing in San Jose. The bond would target working families, veterans, seniors, teachers, nurses, paramedics, and others. These funds would complement Santa Clara County’s Measure A-2016, a $1 billion housing bond that prioritized housing for the county’s large homeless population. The funds would help the City toward its goal of creating 10,000 affordable homes over the next five years. The measure requires a ⅔ majority to pass. Read More
SAN JOSE | Yes to Measure T
This measure authorizes a $650 million general obligation bond for disaster preparedness, public safety, and infrastructure in the city of San Jose. The measure includes an innovative investment in the city’s natural infrastructure to prevent flooding and water supply contamination. The City will allocate up to $50 million for land acquisition for natural flood and water quality protection. The measure requires a ⅔ majority to pass.
SAN MATEO COUNTY | Yes to Measure W
This measure would raise approximately $2.4 billion over 30 years through a ½ cent sales tax to fund a variety of transportation projects and programs across San Mateo County. 60% of the funds would be dedicated to transit operations and capital, including bus, paratransit service, and Caltrain. The measure also includes funds to create safe places for walking and biking along with investments in local roads and highways. The measure requires a ⅔ majority to pass. Read More
East Bay
EAST BAY CITIES | Yes to Measure FF
This measure extends an existing parcel tax that raises $3.3 million annually for another 20 years to enhance multiple parks within the East Bay Regional Park District. Funds will support public safety, wildfire prevention, and healthy forests; manage park infrastructure and maintenance; and provide environmental stewardship and habitat protection. The measure covers the cities of Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, Alameda, San Pablo, El Cerrito, Albany, Emeryville, and Piedmont. It requires a ⅔ majority to pass. Read More
BERKELEY | Yes to Measure O
This measure authorizes the City of Berkeley to create a $135 million bond for the development and preservation of affordable housing for low and moderate-income households. The measure requires a ⅔ majority to pass. Read More
North Bay
SANTA ROSA | Yes to Measure N
This measure authorizes an affordable housing bond that will generate $124 million over 30 years. At least 75% of revenue will be used to provide or preserve housing for low-income residents and up to 25% will be used for housing for moderate-income residents, prioritizing fire survivors. The measure requires a ⅔ majority to pass. Read More
SONOMA COUNTY | Yes to Measure M
The Sonoma County “Parks for All” measure creates a 1/8th cent sales tax that generates an estimated $11.5 million annually over 10 years for improving and maintaining county and city parks. Two-thirds of the funds would go to Sonoma County Regional Parks and one-third would go to city and neighborhood parks. The measure requires a 2/3 majority to pass. Read More
State
CALIFORNIA | Yes to Proposition 1
This statewide measure authorizes a $4 billion bond that would fund a variety of housing-related programs, including $1 billion to be spent on home loans for veterans and $1.5 billion to build, rehabilitate, and preserve affordable rentals. It also includes money to fund grants for projects dedicated to building homes near public transportation and inside cities and towns. This measure requires a 2/3 majority to pass. Read More
CALIFORNIA | Yes to Proposition 2
This statewide measure unlocks up to $140 million per year for permanent supportive housing for individuals living with a severe mental illness who are homeless or at risk of chronic homelessness. It allows funds from the Mental Health Services Act of 2004, otherwise known as Proposition 63, to be spent on safe and secure housing, creating an environment that allows for wrap-around services, such as mental health treatment, to be delivered efficiently and effectively. The measure requires a ⅔ majority to pass. Read More
June 2018 Primaries Results
Local
WIN! SAN JOSE | No to Measure B
Though not every vote has been counted, the results are clear, San Jose has rejected sprawl by saying NO to Measure B. Measure B posed a major threat to thousands of acres of open space across San Jose. It also included development plans for the Evergreen area, paving over greenbelt lands while bypassing affordable housing requirements and local fees. Read More
WIN! SAN JOSE | Yes to Measure C
To counteract Measure B, Mayor Sam Liccardo, nine San Jose City Council members, and community organizations leaders put forward Measure C, which voters passed on June 5. Measure C stops developers from taking shortcuts. It also creates new protections for open space lands and encourages the creation of affordable homes in the right places. Read More
Regional & State
WIN! BAY AREA | Yes to RM 3
We’re excited that RM3 passed in the June 2018 election! Regional Measure 3 provides critical investments in the Bay Area’s transportation future through an increase in tolls on the region’s seven state-owned bridges. By passing RM 3, the region will have better options for transit, walking, and biking—a win-win for our communities and the environment. Read More
WIN! CALIFORNIA | Yes to Prop. 68
Californians stood up for natural resources by passing Prop. 68, the California Clean Water and Safe Parks Act. This $4.1 billion bond measure funds parks, access to clean water, and improved resilience to climate change for all residents. Passing Prop. 68 sends a powerful message to the nation about how much we value our parks and natural resources. Read More
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November 2017 Election Results
North Bay
WIN! NOVATO | Yes to Measure D
To protect open space and keep sprawl at bay for the next generation, Measure D renews Novato’s existing UGB for another 25 years. First adopted by the voters with a 70% majority in 1997, this renewal measure is now even stronger and will protect open space, prevent sprawl, and encourage walkable, bike-friendly neighborhoods near downtown and the SMART line until the end of 2042. Read More
LOSS NOVATO | Yes to Measure E
Novato residents had an opportunity to improve flood control and increase marsh restoration by voting YES on Measure E; however, this measure did not pass. Measure E would have funded improvements to water quality, restoration of fish and wildlife habitat, and smart responses to sea level rise. The measure could also reduce the threat of sprawl development by expanding protection of sensitive natural areas and low-lying wetlands around Novato. Read More
WIN! WINDSOR | Yes to Measure H
The town of Windsor in Sonoma County held a special election on November 7 to renew its urban growth boundary (UGB) for another 22 years through Measure H. The growth boundary draws a clear line around the town, beyond which major development isn’t allowed. Measure H will “lock in” two more decades of voter protections for the natural and agricultural lands surrounding Windsor while encouraging new homes and businesses within town. Read More
November 2016 Election Results
In 2016, voters decided the fate of many important ballot measures—some of which will change the Bay Area forever. From sustainable and equitable growth to protecting agricultural and natural land, your vote in local elections is critical to shaping where you live. Here are the Results.
Ballot measures are organized by region.
North Bay
WIN! SONOMA CO. | Yes to Measure K
Measure K renewed voter protections for community separators–the greenbelt lands in between the county’s cities and towns–for another 20 years. Passing Measure K protects a total of 53,576 acres of open space and farmlands from subdivision and sprawl. Read More
LOSS SONOMA CO. | Yes to Measure J
This ½ cent sales tax will raise an estimated $95 million over the next 10 years to fund regional park maintenance and improvements. It will help address Sonoma County’s considerable park funding shortfall. Read More
WIN! COTATI | Yes to Measure Q
This measure renews and strengthens the City of Cotati’s Urban Growth Boundary for another 30 years to 2048. Without action, this essential voter-enacted open space protection will expire in 2018. Read More
LOSS NAPA CO. | Yes to Measure Z
Measure Z would have established a ¼ cent sales tax for 14 years that would raise approximately $8 million per year for open space. It would permanently protect up to 30,000 acres of watersheds, forests, and natural habitats throughout Napa County. Read More
East Bay
WIN! ALAMEDA CO. | Yes to Measure A1
This measure will raise $580 million for affordable homes across Alameda County. It’s a critical step toward ensuring that all residents of Alameda County can afford to live, work, and stay here for generations to come. Read More
WIN! ALAMEDA CO. & CONTRA COSTA CO. | Yes to Measure C1
This measure preserves essential local transit service by extending an existing parcel tax for twenty years, generating $30 million annually. Read More
WIN! BERKELEY | No to Measure DD
This measure was placed on the ballot to confuse voters and undermine support for Measure U1, a smart proposal for new affordable homes in the City of Berkeley. Read More
WIN! ALAMEDA CO. | Yes to Measure F1
This measure authorizes a $250 million bond for repair and maintenance of local parks within the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD). Read More
WIN! OAKLAND | Yes to Measure KK
This measure would raise $600 million for street repair, affordable homes, and other essential community needs in the City of Oakland. Read More
WIN! ALBANY | Yes to Measure N1
This measure removes outdated parking requirements to make the city more affordable, reduce air pollution, and support walking, biking, and transit. Read More
WIN! BERKELEY | Yes to Measure U1
This measure will generate funds for new affordable homes in the City of Berkeley through an increase in the business license tax for owners of larger multi-unit residential buildings. Read More
CONTRA COSTA CO. | Neutral Measure X
This measure did not pass. It would have established a new ½ cent sales tax to fund various transportation investments across Contra Costa County and enacts new countywide land-use policies. The measure augments an existing ½ cent sales tax—Measure J from 2004. Read More
South Bay
WIN! SANTA CLARA CO. | Yes to Measure A
Measure A will raise $950 million to provide affordable homes for those most in need across Santa Clara County. These funds are essential because everyone should have the opportunity to live in a safe, healthy, and affordable home. Read More
WIN! SANTA CLARA CO. | Yes to Measure B
Measure B establishes a new ½ cent sales tax to improve transit, make streets safer for walking and biking, and fund other transportation investments across Santa Clara County. Read More
WIN! CUPERTINO | No to Measure C
This misguided measure would prohibit the creation of a walkable, mixed-use town center in the failing Vallco Mall and restrict revitalization of commercial corridors, making the city more expensive, more car-dependent, and more polluted as a result. Read More
LOSS CUPERTINO | Yes to Measure D
Measure D is a smart proposal to create a walkable, transit-friendly town center with homes, shops, and jobs—capped by one of the world’s largest green roofs—at the site of the failing Vallco Mall. Read More
WIN! GILROY | Yes to Measure H
Measure H creates an Urban Growth Boundary for the City of Gilroy, protecting thousands of acres of threatened natural and agricultural lands from sprawl development. Read More
WIN! MILPITAS | Yes to Measure I
This measure renews the city’s Urban Growth Boundary for 20 years. First adopted by voters in 1998, the city’s growth boundary protects important open space in Milpitas from sprawl development. Read More
WIN! MILPITAS | Yes to Measure J
This measure renews voter-approved protections that shield the city’s hillsides from inappropriate development and subdivision for another 20 years. The hillside protections, first adopted in 2004, complement the city’s Urban Growth Boundary. Read More
WIN! MILPITAS | Yes to Measure K
This measure protects parks and open space by requiring a two-thirds public vote to re-zone these lands for industrial, commercial, or residential development. Read More
WIN! SUNNYVALE | No to Measure M
Measure appears to have failed, final votes left to count. Measure M is a poorly conceived initiative that would make the city less affordable and sustainable while wasting limited taxpayer funds. Read More
LOSS MORGAN HILL | No to Measure S
Measure S in Morgan Hill was put on the ballot by the Morgan Hill City Council. This measure amends the city’s main voter-approved open space protection policy, making it easier for the city to sprawl outward. Read More
Peninsula
WIN! SAN MATEO CO. | Yes to Measure K
Measure K generates much needed funding for affordable homes, parks, and other essential services by extending San Mateo County’s existing ½ cent sales tax for another 20 years. Read More
Regional
WIN! REGIONAL | Yes to Measure RR
Measure RR raises $3.5 billion to help keep BART safe and reliable, reduce crowding, keep cars off the road, and protect the environment. Voters in San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties will be asked to approve the measure. Read More
June 7, 2016 Primaries Results
We won on all of our endorsed positions for the 2016 Primaries. See the detailed results here.
WIN! REGIONAL | Yes on Measure AA
Measure AA is a $12 annual parcel tax that will invest $500 million over the next 20 years for Bay restoration projects. This tax measure is the first of its kind in California. It pulls together voters from the entire nine-county region in support of restoring wetlands around the iconic San Francisco Bay. Over 30,000 acres of shoreline will be eligible for projects funded by Measure AA including projects to:
- Filter out pollution for cleaner water.
- Increase habitat for wildlife.
- Keep low-lying communities safe from flooding, storm surges, and sea level rise.
- Expand trails and shoreline access.
More from Greenbelt Alliance on Measure AA.
WIN! SANTA CLARA CO. | Yes on Measure A
Measure A in Santa Clara County is an initiative (not a tax measure) to renew the Park Charter Fund which provides $57 million annually to support maintenance and expansion of public parks. Renewed six times since 1972, the fund has had strong support among voters for decades. The measure will:
- Protect, preserve, and expand the over 50,000 acres of open space in Santa Clara County.
- Maintain water quality by protecting land around rivers, lakes, and streams.
- Update and maintain park facilities, aging roads, and trailheads.
- Improve access to trails and natural areas.
More from Greenbelt Alliance on Measure A.
WIN! RICHMOND, CA | No on Measure N
Measure N was a developer-drafted ballot measure that would overturn the City’s plans for compact infill development along the waterfront and instead approve an inefficient, unsustainable development project. The “Richmond Riviera” project would have dramatically slashed the number of new homes from 625 to 59.
Greenbelt Alliance, city staff, city councilmembers, and community groups raised significant concerns about Measure N including:
- Increasing car use, traffic, and pollution
- Negative impacts on the revitalization of the waterfront
- Undermining the viability of the nearby ferry terminal, slated to open in 2018
- Negative effects on city revenue
More from Greenbelt Alliance on Measure N.
Photo: David Yu via Flickr