10,032 / 51.6% Yes votes ...... 9,413 / 48.4% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

This measure is not binding on the City Council. However, if the electorate votes in favor of this measure, i.e., to change the date of municipal elections from odd numbered years to even numbered years and the City Council decides as a result thereof, to change the date of the municipal election, the Council must choose to either extend the terms of the Mayor and Council by one year or reduce them for a like period.

On the other hand, if the electorate votes against changing the date of the municipal elections, no action need be taken by the City Council as a result of this measure.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure V. If you desire a copy of the measure please call the San Ramon City Clerk at 925-973-2536 and a copy will be sent to you.

The reasons to vote Yes on Measure V are substantial:

o The odd-year election cost to the City is $4.50 for each registered voter. That cost drops to $1.30 for an even-year election. San Ramon is currently wasting $80,000 to hold each odd-year election. Since the San Ramon is growing in population with the annexation of Dougherty Valley, the estimated cost per election by 2010 is $202,500 in odd years vs. $58,500 in even years.

o If San Ramon continues holding odd-year elections for another 20 years, the waste to taxpayers will he almost $1,500,000!

o According to a "Public Policy Institute of California" Research Brief, the difference in voter turnout among California cities can be explained by election timing--odd-year elections represent about 30% of the voters and even-year elections over 50%. The report states:

o "One concern is that low turnout can lead to unrepresentative city government: If nonvoters and voters differ systematically in their political preferences and needs, local priorities and policies are less likely to represent the views of all citizens. Another concern is that nonparticipation is associated with a host of negative attitudes about government and politics. If unchecked, declining civic engagement and turnout could compromise the legitimacy of government."

o The Brief concludes that "Increasing voter participation at the local level remains an important way to enhance democracy in a diverse state with powerful city governments."

Save San Ramon taxpayers millions of dollars, insure representative government and policies, and encourage the democratic process--

VOTE YES ON MEASURE V!

MELODY LUNDGREN, PARKS COMMISSIONER

VICTOR PETERSEN. GENERAL PLAN REVIEW COMMISSIONER

JEFFREY RHOTON, PLANNING COMMISSIONER

ROSALINE ROGOFF, SAN RAMON OBSERVER SCOTT MILLER

PENNY-WISE AND POUND FOLISH Admittedly, the ballot cost to the City in even year elections will be lower. But what do we surrender to gain those savings? We surrender the political independence enjoyed in, odd-year elections when local citizens are not overwhelmed by National, State and City elections plus numerous Measures and Propositions. Loss of local independence can easily be estimated at $75,000-100,000 per election ($3-5 per votes). Switching to even year elections is a classic example of being penny-wise and pound foolish. The cost burden on local candidates will be enormously higher. The City and its candidates benefit from odd-year elections.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Voter turnout varies from election to election depending upon issues and interest among the voters. In 11/03 over 40% of our registered voters submitted ballots. Regardless of turnout, San Ramon elected officials have created a very fine City following incorporation. Averages don't tell us very much. Two decades of quality growth under officials elected in odd years tell us that our systems works very well.

Going to even year elections requires San Ramon to give up more that it gains.

VOTE NO ON MEASURE V

Herman Carruthers

David B. Baird

John R. Hill

Ronald Smith

Cheryl Reich

KEEP CITY ELECTIONS LOCAL

Even numbered years have elections at multiple levels of government as well as for a myriad of Measures and Propositions that obscure all local elections. A candidate in a local. election has no opportunity to gain the attention of the voters as now exists in odd-year elections. Changing to even-numbered years means a loss of the political independence that San Ramon has enjoyed since incorporation in 1983.

CANDIDATE FUNDING WILL NEED TO INCREASE

Greater campaign funding would be needed for local candidates in order to compete with elections at the County, State and Federal levels. These added funds are needed for candidates to achieve name recognition, attain issue identification, and to get their messages out to the voters. This leads to either wealthy candidates running for office or increased campaign contributions being provided by special interest groups.

ODD YEAR RESULTS WORK

Our city has prospered for two decades with odd-year elections. A prior effort to change to even-year elections was voted down by a substantial margin. Cost savings, which is not all that much in the scheme of things, is a weak excuse for a change to even year elections. Saying that other public agencies have gone to even-year elections is an even weaker reason to change. If it isn't broken, don't fix it!

We urge you to keep the City's elections in odd-numbered years.

Vote No on Measure V

Hermann E. Welm

Samuel O. Lemon, Jr.

Harry M. Sachs

William K. Meine

Joseph Covello

Opponents say, "A prior effort to change to even years was voted down." Measure H extended existing Councilmembers' terms. Did voters reject evenyear elections or term extensions? Measure V is for even years only.

Opponents say candidate funding will need to increase, which will require support from special interests. Voters should know which special interests are backing which candidates. Should we make this decision on the cost to candidates, or on potentially saving the City millions of dollars?

The whole idea of democracy is to get more voters to the polls, armed with full information. Do we want decisions made by 15% to 25% of the registered voters, typical in odd-year elections, when that number could be increased to over 50% in even years?

Opponents say the savings "is not all that much." You decide--current cost for an EVEN-YEAR election, $32,500; current cost for an ODD-YEAR election, $112,500. This is calculated on the cost per registered voter; so as the voting population of San Ramon doubles (annexation of Dougherty Valley), so does the election cost.

YES FOR DEMOCRACY!

YES TO SAVE $$$$$!

YES ON MEASURE V!

Rosalind Rogoff, San Ramon Observer

Rena Waterson, "Friends of San Ramon"

Edward Cahill, Retired Bank Executive

Jeffrey Rhoton, Planning Commissioner

Melody Lundgren, Parks & Community Services Commissioner