Costa Mesa’s Measure P ballot wording confuses voters

Howard and Rosemary McVicker have been reading their Costa Mesa voter pamphlets but are befuddled by Measure P.

The retired teachers, who have lived in Costa Mesa for 58 years, are having second thoughts about the advisory measure that’s attempting to gauge voter sentiment on a state proposal for new toll lanes on a portion of the 405 Freeway. The idea of creating toll lanes has been around for years, and city leaders along Orange County’s 405 corridor have come out strongly against them.

On the Nov. 4 ballot, however, Measure P seems to be asking two contradictory questions about the matter.

The ballot title reads: “Advisory measure, should toll lanes be built on the I-405 Freeway?”

It is then followed by the actual ballot question, which requires a “yes” or “no” vote: “Do you agree with the Costa Mesa City Council, which unanimously opposes the establishment of toll lanes on the I-405 Freeway in Orange County?”

The popular sentiment would be “no” to the ballot title, but “yes” to agreeing with the council’s rejection of 405 toll lanes.

“I can see clearly what it says, but I’m not sure the city will interpret it right,” said Howard McVicker.

City Hall is accepting responsibility for the confusion, particularly for the question mark in the ballot title. The ballot question was approved by a majority of the City Council in August.

“In an attempt to summarize the I-405 toll lane advisory measure in a short ballot title, city of Costa Mesa staff used wording and punctuation that could cause confusion among voters,” city CEO Tom Hatch said in a prepared statement Thursday. “For that, we apologize. We are reviewing the matter.

“Ultimately, as the city CEO, I take responsibility for the title’s lack of clarity and hope that it does not detract from the purpose of this advisory measure.”

Hatch stressed that voters should concentrate on the ballot question, not the ballot title.

City Hall officials said they are sending out two more mailers that will emphasize the ballot question to lessen any confusion. The clarification will also be made on the city’s website, www.costamesaca.gov, and its social media platforms.

Councilwoman Sandy Genis sees Measure P as a “political stunt.” She and Councilwoman Wendy Leece wrote the measure’s dissenting arguments.

Even though the two don’t like the 405 toll road idea, they didn’t think it should be an advisory measure on the ballot.

“I kept looking at the ballot and going, ‘Huh?’” Genis said. “I think it’s unfortunate that it happened, and it’s obviously confusing. It’s a good thing it’s an advisory thing, as opposed to something that’s actually going to have a change.”

Genis said she might just skip voting on it.

“It’s just odd,” she said. “Very odd.”