Why Vote YES on Measure A?

Vote YES on Measure A to save Santa Barbara City taxpayers money and help voters by shifting elections from odd- to even-numbered years!
Here is the YES-on-Measure-A outreach summary page.

City Taxpayers Save Well Over $1 Million after 10 Years

A YES vote will save City taxpayers $245,000 each election. When City elections are consolidated with County, State, and Federal elections, the City typically would need to spend just $35,000 per election, saving 87% of the $280,000 cost of running a separate election. After only 10 years, savings will be MORE THAN $1 MILLION to become available for important City budget needs.

Voter Turnout Increases Significantly

Voter turnout during even year elections has been nearly double the turnout during odd year elections.

Voter Turnout since 1995:

EVEN-YEARS average = 66.8%

ODD-YEARS average = 37.8%

People are more enthusiastic about voting when State and Federal issues are also on the ballot. Increasing voter turnout is good for Santa Barbara and will provide a more representative and accountable government for all.

Convenient and Efficient Elections

Imagine a year without the repetitive ads and junk mail of an election.

Measure A will give a year off to Santa Barbara voters, making elections more convenient and efficient because voting only happens every two years.

Conclusion

Measure A would take effect in 2010. By shifting to even-year elections, the current City Council members would have to serve an additional year as a one-time occurrence to catch up with the even-year election cycle. Measure A also requires the elected County Registrar of Voters be the one responsible for running the election, instead of having City staffers and pricey outside consultants in charge of counting the votes for their own City Council bosses.

The 5 signatories on the Ballot Argument for Measure A-2007:

1. Hal Conklin, former Santa Barbara Mayor
2. Kenneth A. Pettit, former County Registrar of Voters
3. Joseph Allen, Attorney at Law
4. David Pritchett, Co-Chair, SB Clean Elections Working Group
5. Cathy Murillo, Journalist and Community Activist