San Clemente Times

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Redefining California Voters expected to hit the polls in droves, set to decide on new candidates and controversial measures By David Zimmerle

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here’s a lot to digest this election season, and like those past trips to the polls, the end result will most likely have major impacts on the local, state and federal levels. Overall, nine candidates are looking to fill three City Council seats in San Clemente with two incumbents—Joe Anderson and Lori Donchak—seeking to regain their elected position amidst an infusion of whirlwind candidates like Brenda Miller, Tim Brown and Patrick Crosby. Jim Evert has tossed his hat in the ring and provides a key alignment with Anderson and Donchak that may give the City Council its strongest representation in the eyes of the “Silent Majority.” Chris Hamm, Jay Gaskins and Georgia Key Smith are also testing the political waters in hopes of landing a seat on the council. With the community seemingly divided on numerous issues regarding city policy and progression—most notably the Playa Del Norte project at North Beach and redefining fiscal conservatism in the face of challenging economic times—what voters decide on November 2 could impact San Clemente in ways its residents would never have thought possible. Nine propositions are also slated for this year’s California ballot including the controversial Proposition 19, which would legalize and tax marijuana. Propositions 20 through 27 deal with everything from redrawing Congressional district lines by a committee, to several tax initiatives, items involved with state spending and the environment. A 10th measure, an $11.1 billion water bond, had also been certified for the November ballot, but on August 9 of this year, state legislators voted to postpone the vote on it from 2010 to 2012. Voters will also be deciding on a bevy of candidates for the offices of U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary Of State, State Controller, State Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, State Senator, State Assembly, State Board Of Equalization and Superintendent Of Public Instruction.

At the polls, voters will decide on the future of our local school district, possibly tapping new trustees in Capistrano Unified School District, while also voting on Measure H, which will determine how trustees will be elected moving forward. According to a recent Report of Registration from the California Secretary of State, as of September 3, 1.8 million people were eligible to vote in the November 2 election with 1.6 million people (84.75 percent) already registered to vote. Out of those numbers, 512,573 people (32.03 percent) were registered as Democrats with 693,077 people (43.31 percent) registered as Republicans. San Clemente has 40,946 registered voters. All polls in California are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., but it’s a general rule that a good time to get there are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. In the words of the great boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer, “Let’s get ready to rumble.” SC


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