March 2024 Presidential Primary Election: Unbiased Ballot Measure Details

March 2024 Presidential Primary Election: Unbiased Ballot Measure Details

Your Vote Counts
LWV Nevada County provides information to help you decide whether to vote Yes or No on each ballot measure without influencing you to vote a certain way. We hold events to explain ballot measures and answer questions about them in an impatial, fair and balanced manner. Contact us to learn more, schedule an event or ask a question.
 

CA State Ballot Proposition 1 - Unbiased Explanation

WHAT YOUR VOTE MEANS:

  • YES vote: You support authorizing $6.38 Billion in Bonds to build Mental Health Facilities and housing for Homeless in California.
  • NO vote: You do not support authorizing money for Prop 1.

BACKGROUND:

This measure was placed on the ballot by the State Legislature and is part of the Behavioral Health Modernization project proposed by Governor Newsom. It has 2 parts. One part amends the Mental Health Services Act, known as the "Millionaire Tax" that was established as law by California voters by passing an initiative in 2004. The law allocates $2.0 - $3.5 billion every year for mental health services with 95% of these funds granted to California’s counties, with relative flexibility in local government use for mental health services and substance abuse treatment. Currently, total housing and treatment resources are insufficient to address these crises. Any law created by an initiative can only be amended by an initiative, so that is why Prop 1 is on the ballot.

The other part of this proposition proposes that the funds from a $6.38 million general obligation bond will be used for building health treatment facilities and housing for homeless people who are suffering from substance abuse or other mental illness, including for some veterans who are chronically without housing but who do not suffer from mental illness. It requires certain percentages of the funds be used for certain programs.

In January 2022, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that 171,500 Californians were homeless. Of that count, approximately 75,700 were suffering from severe mental illness including chronic substance disorders, and 10,400 were veterans.

In February 2023, the LAO determined $11 billion of new funds from the 2 previous State budgets would flow into behavioral health services. This is in addition to $10-$12 billion for mental health that is paid for by a combination of federal funds, money from the “Millionaire Tax”, and some county and state money. Approximately 75% of it goes toward infrastructure, workforce, and capacity building for these services.

PROP 1 PASSES – More than 50% YES votes are required for it to pass. If passed:

  • The bonds would be authorized to be issued to raise $6.4 billion: $4.4 billion to build facilities for mental health and substance abuse treatment, and $2 billion to build or renovate housing for homeless or those with substance abuse or other mental health disorders.
  • A portion of the annual "Millionaire Tax" that is currently available to counties for community-based mental health services would be shifted away from local government control to the State.
  • About one third of county "Millionaire Tax" funding currently used for mental health services and substance use disorders would be shifted to housing, employment assistance, and education.

FISCAL EFFECTS

According to the non-partisan State Legislative Analyst Office (LAO):

  • If Prop 1 passes, counties would receive approximately $140 million less each year and that money would shift to the State. Also requirements would be imposed on how to spend the money, which means counties may need to use other county, state, or federal money to keep current services operating.
  • The bond would pay for building 6,800 treatment beds in new facilities, and up to 4,350 housing units, half of which would be for veterans experiencing homelessness.
  • Prop 1 would result in an estimated 3% overall reduction of homelessness statewide.
  • The cost to repay the Prop 1 bond from the State General Fund over 30 years would be approximately $310 million annually. The total cost to pay off the bonds plus interest would be $6.38 billion plus several more billion, depending on the interest rate.

SUPPORTERS SAY    these are the opinions of various proponents, not of LWV...

The bond will pay for needed housing and services for the mentally ill, including veterans, without raising taxes. They also say that the homeless and drug addiction situation in California is mounting and continues to threaten the mental health of more and more citizens of our State.

OPPONENTS SAY     these are the opinions of various opponents, not of LWV...

Prop 1 would have minimal impact (3%) on reducing overall statewide homelessness and it would reduce funding for local community treatment. In addition, local government would lose the ability to decide how to apply funds that match the needs of their local communities.

You can see regular updates to contributions on the Secretary of State website  and also on Ballotpedia.

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR: $14.7M  As of 3/1/24

Top Contributors:

$4.5M Uber

$1.5M Indians of Graton Rancheria

$5M combined from various state-level construction, health care and Correctional Officers.

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS AGAINST: $1,000

Only contributor: Policy Analyst Jon Li.

You can also Watch a 5 minute video or read about it from LWV California.

 

Measure A

Twin Ridges Elementary School District Bond Approval
“To make basic repairs and upgrades to classrooms and facilities, replace outdated HVAC systems, ensure ADA access, improve safety and security, and build new kindergarten and pre-K classrooms; shall Twin Ridges Elementary School District’s measure authorizing $2,600,000 in bonds at legal interest rates, levying approximately $30 per $100,000 of assessed value, generating an estimated average $190,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, with citizens’ oversight, annual audits, all funds staying local and NO money for administrators’ salaries, be adopted?”

A 55 percent supermajority vote is required for the approval of Measure A. To view the full resolution for Measure A, click here

 

Measure B - Grass Valley Voters

QUESTION TO VOTERS

Do you want to approve a city ordinance that imposes a 0.375% sales tax with funds going to Grass Valley general fund?

BACKGROUND

Based on a shortage of funds available to reduce and respond to the wildfire threat in the upcoming wildfire season, the Grass Valley City Council voted unanimously to declare a fiscal emergency. Subsequently, on October 16, 2023, the same Council voted unanimously to place Measure B on the ballot.

Measure B will be enacted if it receives a YES vote from more than 50% of those who vote on the issue. See the full resolution for Measure B here. See the impartial analysis provide by the City attorney here.

IF MEASURE B PASSES:

  • Beginning April 1, 2024, a sales tax of 0.375 would be imposed on personal property purchased, stored, or used within the incorporated territory of Grass Valley. The tax would be calculated on the gross sale, including delivery charges. The tax would apply only to purchases currently subject to tax  (not to food or prescription drugs) and would be in addition to the existing local and state taxes.
  • Measure B would remain in effect until April 1, 2031 unless it is repealed or amended by voters.
  • The City Council would be required to adopt a plan for expenditures, conduct a public hearing before adopting it, and maintain the current plan on the City website.
  • A 5-member Independent Citizens' Advisory Committee would be appointed by the City Council, limited to no more than four 1-year terms, and would be required to do the following:
    • Hold public meetings once a quarter to review revenue and expenditures imposed by Measure B.
    • Review annual audit reports related to the tax.
    • Issue at least one written report annually to the City Council at a public meeting summarizing the Committee's findings and recommendations for changes to the annual budget.
    • Provide Committee meeting minutes to the City Council. The Council would be required to include those minutes in the subsequent City Council meeting agenda packet for public review.
  • The following would be exempt from the Measure B tax:
    • Aircraft to be used outside Nevada County. However, fuel would be subject to the tax.
    • Any obligation to purchase or lease personal property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into before the operative date of the Measure B ordinance.

MEASURE B FISCAL EFFECTS

The non-partisan Grass Valley Administrative Services Director has determined that if enacted, revenue from the tax generated by Measure B would generate $3.4 million yearly for 7 years.

SUPPORTERS SAY:   these are opinions of various Measure B proponents, not LWV

The intent of the City Council is to apply revenue from Measure B to fund wildfire risk reduction measures for Grass Valley, with the following priorities (1) mitigation of public property like hospitals & schools, (2) establishing safe zones for evacuated residents, (3) private property mitigation.

OPPONENTS SAY:   these are opinions of various Measure B opponents, not LWV

The tax is not dedicated to fire safety, which requires a 2/3 vote. Our community needs funds dedicated to fire safety funds.

 

Measure C - Nevada City Voters

QUESTION TO VOTERS

Do you want to approve a 0.5% sales tax and apply the revenue to Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation within Nevada City?

BACKGROUND
On October 18, 2023, the Nevada City City Council voted unanimously to place Measure C on the ballot. In November 2023, Nevada City hired a a Fuels Mitigation Equipment Operator with funds granted from Prop 64 that will expire in 5 years. The City also hired a Community Risk Reduction Officer who worked with the Mitigation Equipment Operator on these projects that are currently underway:
  • Education Outreach for Home hardening & defensible space
  • Community Wildfire Protection Plan
  • Fuel reduction projects on city city-owned property
  • Microgrant Program for home hardening projects
  • Citywide parcel inspection program for defensible space.

Measure C will be enacted if it receives a YES vote from 2/3 of those who vote on the issue.

IF MEASURE C PASSES:
  • Ten days after election results are finalized, a sales tax of 1/2% on every dollar would be imposed within the incorporated territory of Nevada City. The tax would be calculated on the gross sale, including the delivery charges.
  • Measure C would remain in effect until March, 2031 unless it is repealed or amended by voters.
  • Measure C would be monitored by a Citizen's Oversight Committee.
  • Funds would be locally controlled with expenditure of 100% of the funds going to:
    • Designating and improving emergency evacuation routes and refuges areas.
    • Improvement and maintenance of emergency communications and early warning systems, wildfire prevention training, and building hardening.
    • Opportunities for grant funding to augment funds generated by Measure C.
    • Development and implementation of enhanced defensible space inspection programs.
MEASURE C FISCAL EFFECTS

If enacted, the Nevada City Attorney and Nevada City Manager estimate Measure C would generate $900,000 annually over 5 years.

MORE INFO
A summary written by the Community Risk Reduction Officer is here.
The full resolution for Measure C here.

See the Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Plan here.

March 5, 2024 Ballot Availability

All California registered voters will receive a Vote-By-Mail ballot that can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or at the County Elections Office at 950 Maidu Ave, Nevada City. In-person voting locations offer voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines, and language assistance. List of in-person vote centers and ballot drop-off locations is here.

Election Dates & Deadlines:

  • Nevada County began mailing ballots February 5, 2024
  • Ballot drop-off locations began opening: February 6, 2024.
  • Early in-person voting began Feb. 24 at various locations in Nevada County. Find out where and when here.
  • Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before March 5, 2024 and received by March 12, 2024.
  • Last day to register to vote in this election is February 20, 2024.

Your General Election ballot includes:

  • 1 Statewide Ballot Proposition
  • U.S. Presidential candidates
  • Statewide candidates for U.S. Senate
    • There are two races for U.S. Senator from California on this ballot. The U.S. Senator Partial Term race is a special election to fill the remainder of the six-year term left by Senator Feinstein, who was elected in 2018 and died on September 29, 2023. The Full Term U.S. Senator position is for candidates vying to serve in the regular six-year term ending January 3, 2025.
  • U.S. Representative in Congress for District 3
  • County and district committee candidates for Republican, Democratic, Green, Peace & Freedom, and Libertarian political parties.
  • State Senate and State Representative candidates for District 1.
  • County Superior Court Judge candidates for Seats 1 & 2.
  • County Board of Supervisor candidates for Districts 1, 2, & 5.
  • Local candiates and ballot measures, depending on where you live.
  • Here's What's On Your Ballot in Nevada County - including descriptions of local ballot issues.

Top-Two Primary

With the passage of Prop 14 in June 2010, California voters enacted a Primary Election process for certain offices that includes a single ballot, rather than multiple ballots based on political party. In a top-two primary, all candidates from all parties who are running for statewide offices, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House are listed on all ballots regardless of voter party affiliation. The candidates who are the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliations. Consequently, it is possible for two candidates belonging to the same political party to run against each other in the November election. Primary Elections for president and political party officers are partisan and not affected by Top-Two process.

No Party Preference Voters

If you are registered as No Party Preference, and you received a ballot for the March 5th election with no presidential candidates included, and you would like to vote for a presidential candidate in this election, you have these options:

  • If you choose to vote for an American Independent, Democratic, or Libertarian Party presidential candidate, you can request a ballot for one of those parties by using this Crossover Ballot Request Form and return it to the county elections office. These forms are also available in the county elections office.
  • If you choose to vote for a Green, Peace and Freedom, or Republican Party presidential candidate, you must re-register online until February 20, 2024, or re-register in person at a polling place, vote center, or the county elections office until election day.

For more information, see the Nevada County Explainer on the crossover ballot.

More Resources for You:

  • Voter Rights

  • Find your complete ballot with nonpartisan information about candidates, ballot measures including local measures for your address, and your polling place at VOTE411.

  • After submitting your ballot, track its progress on the way to being accepted: WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.