North Bay Decides Big Issues on Super Tuesday

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It will be an eventful election day across the North Bay, as a slate of candidates and far-reaching issues will be decided by voters.

If you’re unsure of where to vote, visit this link and enter your address to find out: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place.

This is the first time that California voters have taken part in Super Tuesday, with the primary moved up this year in part to increase the national impact of voters in this, the nation’s largest primary.

415 Democratic delegates to the party’s convention in July are up for grabs. Statewide Bernie Sanders leads, with Joe Biden in second place. The most recent polling has Sanders leading with 31 percent of the vote, to 22 percent for Biden and 15 percent each for Elizabeth Warren and Mike Bloomberg.

In Sonoma County, voters will decide if three incumbent supervisors will get to keep their seats. Lynda Hopkins, Shirlee Zane and Susan Gorin are being challenged by rivals, with former Santa Rosa city councilman and mayor Chris Coursey’s bid to unseat Zane considered to the most serious challenge.

Meantime, voters will also decide whether to grant SMART an early extension to the 1/4 cent sales tax that provides much of its funding. The tax is set to expire in 2029, and the new extension, Measure I, would extend it to 2059. Opponents claim the tax would not be used to solely to expand the system, but rather to borrow against and pay down debt the system has amassed. Meanwhile, backers say that without the extension SMART will have to slash staff and operations. A two thirds majority is needed to approve the tax extension, which is expected to bring in $40 million annually if passed.

And voters across Sonoma County will decide whether to approve a 1/2 cent sales tax to fund improvements to fire prevention and warning across the county, including warning sirens, vegetation management, increased staffing, and upgrading of equipment and facilities. That tax, Measure G, would provide an estimated $51 million annually to county fire budgets. Two thirds of voters will need to vote yes in order for Measure G to pass.

The polls will be open through 8PM across California, and three ballot drop off locations will be open across the county. Boxes at the Santa Rosa Veterans Building and Petaluma Veterans Building will close at 4PM, while the box at the Registrar of Voters office in Santa Rosa will be open until 8PM.