Vote Results: Measure P, Measure O lead with voter support

By Sara Beth Williams–
Measure P and Measure O, local bond measures totaling more than $1.3 billion combined, appear to be passing as of a Friday, Nov. 8 update from Sacramento County.

Measure P, a facilities bond for the San Juan Unified School District, is currently passing with 59 percent in favor. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District facilities bond is currently passing with 68 percent in favor.

Measure P: If the measure passes, Measure P would allow the San Juan Unified School District to spend up to $950 million on modernization, renovation, expansion, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and furnishing of school facilities. No funds may be used for general school operating expenses, including teacher or administration salaries or pensions, or for any other projects except those explicitly stated in the measure. The district estimates the average annual tax rate to fund the bond will be $60 per $100,000. (A home assessed at $500,000 would pay $300 annually.) The final fiscal year in which the tax is expected to be collected is 2054-2055.

To pass, the measure must be approved by at least 55 percent of voters.

Measure O:  If passed, Measure O would allow the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District to spend $415 million on modernization, renovation, expansion, construction/reconstruction, rehabilitation, and furnishing of fire facilities, emergency medical vehicles, apparatus, and capital equipment. No funds may be used for general school operating expenses, including employee salaries or pensions, or for any other projects except those explicitly stated in the measure. The district estimates the average annual tax rate to fund the bond will be $19 per $100,000. (A home assessed at $500,000 would equal $95 annually.) The final fiscal year in which the tax is expected to be collected is 2060-2061.

To pass, the measure must be approved by at least two-thirds of voters.

As of Nov. 8, Sacramento County officials report that a total of 411,809 ballots have been counted, countywide, with approximately 260,062 ballots remaining to be counted. The next update is expected Tuesday, Nov. 12.

What about Prop 5?

Prop 5 proposes to change the voting threshold required for local governments to approve bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure projects. Currently, these bonds need a two-thirds supermajority from local voters to pass. If Prop 5 passes, the threshold would be lowered to 55 percent, aligning it with the approval requirement for school bonds in California.

As of the last update from the Secretary of State’s office, Prop 5 appears to be headed toward defeat with 56 percent of voters opposed.