By Rachel Wu
While the United States presidential election has dominated election season press coverage, it’s important to stay informed and vote wisely in local and state elections as well. Regardless of the outcome of the presidential election, local governments are responsible for decisions on issues that directly affect your life, such as local school quality, public safety, and affordable housing. And since less people participate in local elections, your vote will make more of a difference. Let’s examine what’s on a Milpitas voter’s 2020 ballot.
President and Vice President
The President heads the executive branch of the federal government and serves as commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces. Presidents serve four-year terms and may be reelected once. The vice president serves as president of the Senate but only votes when senators are deadlocked 50-50. If the president dies, is removed from office, resigns, or becomes incacipated, the vice president assumes the powers and duties of the president. Presidents and vice presidents are elected together on the same ticket.
District 17 United States Representative
The United States Representative for your district holds hearings, develops legislation, and votes on legislation. The Senate and the House of Representatives must pass all bills before the president signs them into law. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms and have no term limits.
District 25 Member of the State Assembly
The California State Assemblymember for your district is part of the legislative branch of California’s state government and works to help create legislation and pass a state budget. Members of the State Assembly serve two-year terms and have a six-term limit.
Judge of the Superior Court Office No. 24
The Superior Court of each county has jurisdiction over all types of cases. Superior Court judges serve six-year terms.
Member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, representing District 3
The California Constitution authorizes county boards to make and enforce local ordinances that do not conflict with general laws, purchase and hold land, and levy and collect taxes authorized by law, among other powers. Members of the County Board of Supervisors serve three-year terms and have a four-term limit.
Member of the Santa Clara County Board of Education
County Boards of Education generally oversee programs including special education and juvenile court schools. They also oversee fiscal oversight of districts, charter schools, and direct services to school districts. Members of the County Board of Education serve four-year terms.
Governing Board Member of the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District
The San Jose-Evergreen Community College District is governed by a seven-member board of trustees. Board members serve four-year terms.
Milpitas Mayor
The Mayor is the presiding officer of and a member of the city council, which governs the city of Milpitas, with authority over policy, legislation, tax levees, award contracts, and certain office appointments. Mayors serve two-year terms.
Two Members of the Milpitas City Council
The City Council governs the City of Milpitas, with authority over policy, legislation, tax levees, award contracts, and certain office appointments. City Council Members serve four-year terms.
California State Propositions
There are twelve state propositions on the November ballot this year.
Read our article on California’s ballot initiative and referendum system here: http://mhstheunion.com/2020/10/29/californias-ballot-initiative-and-referendum-system-explained/
A short summary: Anyone eligible to vote in California is eligible to propose three kinds of state measures that can appear on the ballot: initiative statutes, initiative constitutional amendments, and referendums. Initiative statutes are proposed laws, initiative constitutional amendments are amendments to the state constitution, and referendums give voters the power to approve or reject bills already passed by the California State Legislature. The measure must be approved by the California Secretary of State and garner enough signatures to appear on the ballot.
Milpitas City Measures
The only Milpitas city measure on the ballot this year is Measure F, which calls for a ¼ cent sales tax increase to offset revenue shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Measures
There are two measures on the ballot this year, a parcel tax (real estate tax) and bond measure, to fund the community college district through the post-COVID-19 economic recovery.
Santa Clara Valley Water District Measures
The only measure on the ballot this year is Measure S, which would extend an existing parcel tax indefinitely to fund the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection program, which protects the drinking-water supply and reduces pollution, toxins and contaminants in waterways.
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority Measures
Measure T calls for the extension of a $24 annual parcel tax that raises roughly $8 million a year to preserve local nature and land.
Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (‘Caltrain’) Measures
Measure RR calls for a ⅛ cent sales tax increase for 30 years to provide dedicated funding to preserve Caltrain service and support regional economic recovery.