Voters have many decisions to make

The 2016 general election on Tuesday will likely be remembered for years due to not only its hotly contested presidential race, but for locally requiring two ballot cards due to 17 state propositions and many local measures put before voters.

Voters will be heading to the polls between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. if they opted to not take advantage of early voting that started on Oct. 10.

City of San Diego voters, including Rancho Bernardans, will be deciding 12 local measures. A summary of all 12 can be viewed at here.

They include Measure C, the downtown stadium initiative, which requires at least 66.7 percent support to pass. The San Diego Chargers-backed measure would increase the city’s hotel occupancy tax by 6 percent (to 16.5 percent) in order to build a city-owned downtown professional football stadium and convention center, the latter an expansion not connected to the existing convention center. Money would also go toward tourism marketing. The proposed facility will cost $1.8 billion, with the Chargers and NFL providing $650 million, the estimated stadium construction cost.

The separate, but related, Measure D also requires 66.7 percent support to pass, which would increase San Diego’s hotel occupancy tax up to 5 percent, end the Tourism Marketing District, let hoteliers create assessment districts and use the generated taxes for a downtown convention center, but not a stadium. It would prohibit a contiguous expansion of the existing convention center, create a downtown overlay zone for convention and sports facilities and allow the 166-acre city-owned Qualcomm stadium property to be sold for educational and park uses.

As for other city measures, they include I (a City Charter amendment so dedicated park property in Balboa Park can continue to home the 134-year-old San Diego High School), K (a charter amendment that would require a run-off election in November for the offices of mayor, city attorney and councilmember even if a candidate receives a majority of votes in the June primary) and N (lets the city impose a gross receipts tax for general revenue purposes, on non-medical marijuana if also on Tuesday California voters approve Proposition 64, which would legalize recreational marijuana in the state. The tax would start at 5 percent but potentially go up to 15 percent.).

Poway voters will fill two seats on the City Council and will decide whether the Maderas Golf Club can proceed with the planning of a hotel.

Two-term City Councilman Jim Cunningham and appointed Councilman Barry Leonard are running for four-year terms on the five-member council. They face eight challengers: Julie Bendinelli, Joe Calabrese, Sean Finley, John McConnin, Christopher Olps, Torrey Powers, Amy Romaker and Jonathan Ryan. Their profiles can be read here.

Measure W on the Poway ballot asks whether voters approve a Specific Plan Amendment to amend the Old Coach Estates Specific Plan to allow development of a hotel of up to 240 rooms on the existing golf course at 17750 Old Coach Road. If the measure is approved, the golf course’s owner would still need to submit specific plans for public review and a vote by the council. An article on the measure can be read here.

At the county level, which includes all City of San Diego voters plus those in Poway and 4S Ranch, there are two measures:

Measure A is a SANDAG-backed ordinance and expenditure plan to impose a half-cent local sales tax for the next 40 years to repair roads, deteriorating bridges, relieve congestion, provide for pothole and other street repairs, expand public transit and preserve open space to protect water quality and reduce wildfires countywide.

Measure B would amend the county’s general plan, zoning map and code so 608-acres in an unincorporated area near Valley Center so 1,746 homes, three commercial centers, a public park, 10 private parks and 16 miles of trails can be built as a new master-planned community dubbed Lilac Hills Ranch.

As for candidates, there are several local races, some of which — like their national counterparts — are hotly contested. The 52nd Congressional District race has two-term Congressman Scott Peters, a Democrat, being challenged by newcomer Denise Gitsham, a Republican. The district includes all local communities. An article about their debate last week in Rancho Bernardo can be read here.

State Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, a Republican from Carmel Mountain Ranch, is seeking his third two-year term representing the 77th Assembly District in Sacramento. He is also being challenged by a political newcomer, Melinda Vásquez, a Democrat from Rancho Peñasquitos making her first-run for office. This district also includes all local communities. A profile article is available here.

County Supervisor Dave Roberts, also a Democrat, is trying to be re-elected to his second four-year term — his last on the board due to term limits. His challenger is Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar, a Republican seeking her first county-level office. The Third District includes Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch. Their profiles can be read here.

State Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, a Democrat, is trying to make a switch to the state Senate, wanting to represent the 39th District. Also running for the seat is Republican John Renison.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Robert Hickey, a Republican, and Chief Deputy City Attorney Mara Elliott, a Democrat, are facing off to succeed termed-out San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, who has held the office for the past eight years. A profile article is available here.

As for education-related races, there are nine candidates — one incumbent and eight challengers — for two Poway Unified School District seats. (See their profiles here.) Six candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for three seats in the Palomar Community College District race (their profiles appear on here). In addition, incumbent Rick Shea, who was appointed to represent the Fifth District on the San Diego County Board of Education, is being challenged by Mark Wyland.

There are also six, including three incumbents, competing for three seats on the Palomar Health Board of Directors. (See their profiles here.)

Voters with questions about their election day polling place, ballot or how to drop off their completed ballot early can get information from the county Registrar of Voters website at sdvote.com.

Email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com