November 6, 2008

Almaden Votes

Turnout high at various precincts

By Carol Rosen
Editor

The 2008 election is finally over, after what seems like a decade of campaigning. The United States has a new president in what appears to be one of the largest voter turnouts in possibly 40 years.

While a steady stream of voters kept election workers busy through most of the day, once the sun began to set more voters came to do their civic duty. Several voters are checking in at one of two precincts at Leland High School: Bill and Kaly Watt and their daughter, Ashley state their names and addresses for precinct worker Pallavi Johary. Photos by Carol Rosen

It was unique because near the end of the day during a tour of various precincts within Almaden, it appeared that close to 100 percent of voters either voted on Tuesday, voted early or mailed in a ballot. Several trips to these precincts provided a picture of a huge clog of voters early in the morning, a steady stream throughout the day and a smaller crowd near closing time at 8 p.m.

“We’ve had more than 250 people,” said one precinct captain at about 6 p.m., who noted that during the June primary only 42 people voted during the entire day. Others noted that nearly all the registered voters who did not receive an absentee ballot had voted.

While the turnout didn’t surprise anyone, pundits and newscasters predicted long lines, it appeared that about one-third of Santa Clara County voters already had voted or turned in an absentee ballot before the polls opened on Nov. 4. Many of them had stood in long lines and waited up to 90 minutes to cast their vote fearing lines would be even longer on Tuesday. Leaving the majority of Tuesday’s voters to sail through.

As you all probably know by now, the historical campaign has provided us with an historical president even before Barack Obama takes office. Only time will tell if he will bring the change he promised and that the voters appeared more than willing to take a chance with.

Four-year-old Thomas J. Boardman, gets an “I Voted” sticker from a precinct worker because he helped his mom, Kari Boardman vote at St. Basil’s Greek Orthodox Church. Thomas attends preschool at the Over the Rainbow Montessori School behind the church.

Some of the state ballot measures were too close to call at press time, but it appeared that all the Santa Clara County and San Jose city measures did pass. Measure A, a bond measure requiring two-thirds approval to retrofit Valley Medical Center making it seismically safe, passed with 78 percent voting yes. This vote keeps the hospital and all of its beds open while the county issues $840 million in general obligation bonds to update the facility to meet state earthquake laws. The passage also provides for an independent citizen’s oversight group and annual audits.

Measure B, which authorizes a one-eighth cent sales tax to extend BART from Fremont through San Jose to Santa Clara, received close to the two-thirds majority it needed with 66.27 percent for the measure and 33.73 percent against at 11 p.m. However, it did not receive the 66+one percent necessary to pass.

Voters also passed several city-sponsored measures placed on the ballot. Measure J decreased the 9-11 access fee by 10 percent to $1.57 per telephone line from $1.75 with a corresponding reduction for commercial trunk lines. This fee supports city services including police, fire, emergency response, parks and libraries. Seniors and low-income or disabled households are exempt. The measure, which required majority approval, passed with 77.5 percent of the vote in favor versus 22.5 against.

Leland High School seniors Alisha Wadav and Anchal Singhal fulfill part of the Honors American Government class by working the precinct on Election Day. Unfortunately the girls were too young to vote, but explained they were happy to be part of an historic day—they probably also were happy to get out of class! Photos by Carol Rosen

The telecommunications users tax change or Measure K, which also required a majority approval, passed by a vote of 79.4 percent with only 20.56 percent voting against it. This measure dropped the telecommunications users tax rate to 4.5 percent from 5 percent to support essential city services with the same exemptions as Measure J.

Bother Measure L and Measure M also required a majority approval and passed. The former is to build a new fire station in Willow Glen and the latter to improve parks and enhance recreational agreements amending the charter to approve use with non-city entities for up to 25 years in parks with more than five agrees.

District 10 City Councilmember Nancy Pyle was running unopposed after beating her opposition during the June primary and will retain her council seat for the next four years.