Voters to Decide on Schools, Council, Other Issues Today

Today is Election Day for about 40% of the county’s voters, as Camarillo tries again for a bond measure to build new schools, Ventura picks City Council and school board members, and several communities decide whether to bail out cash-starved libraries.

The most intensive campaigning during this off-year election has focused on Measures I and J--two Ventura ballot initiatives that would require voter approval before development of most farmland in and around the city.

Public library boosters also have mounted a major push in Ventura, Ojai, Meiners Oaks and Oak View for proposed parcel taxes--Measures L, O and N--to restore funding lost because of state cuts to libraries.

In Camarillo, supporters of the Pleasant Valley School District are wooing voters for a fourth time to approve a $55-million bond proposal--Measure M--to fix dilapidated schools and build three new ones.

Although schools and libraries have wide support, such tax and bond measures have a steep burden: They must by approved by at least 66.7% of voters rather than by a simple majority.

In the east county, voters in Oak Park will select school board members. And a few water and sanitation districts scattered across the county are also holding elections for board members.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters who have trouble finding polling places or have related questions can call county election officials at 654-2664 or 654-2781.