San Diego County Voters Face New Tax and Charter Changes on Nov. 3

Voters in San Diego County will decide on a new sales tax and major changes to how the county is run when they cast their ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 3. These two countywide measures, labeled Measure A and Measure B, will appear on every ballot in the region. They sit alongside state races and propositions that determine the makeup of the California legislature and the next governor.

Measure B, titled "Protect San Diego County's Health and Safety Act," proposes a half-cent increase in the local sales tax. The revenue generated would be directed to specific public services with strict spending limits. Up to 60% of the funds must go toward healthcare, nutrition, and family services. A separate 22.5% is dedicated to addressing the sewage crisis in the Tijuana River Valley. The remaining 17.5% will support public safety, including wildfire prevention and law enforcement.

The breakdown for the health and family spending is detailed in the ballot language. Specifically, 22% would fund childcare and child development services. Another 17% would support the County Medical Services program, covering provider reimbursements and mental health services. The measure requires the creation of a Citizen Oversight Committee to monitor how this money is spent. This committee will consist of 11 voting members appointed by the Board of Supervisors, serving four-year terms. The board must ensure the group includes professionals with expertise in areas like environmental science and childcare.

Measure A, "A Transparent, Accountable, Modern County Government," seeks to update the county charter to give the Board of Supervisors more control over certain staff. The most publicized change would extend the term limit for County Supervisors from two terms to three. The measure also creates an independent ethics commission that can investigate board members under oath and subpoena witnesses. Each Supervisor would appoint one commissioner, while the County Counsel appoints two. The Board of Supervisors would confirm these appointments by majority vote.

The charter update also establishes an independent budget analyst and a program auditor. The board could choose to combine these two roles into a single position. Additionally, the measure gives the board a review process for key staff appointments, including the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of the Office of Emergency Services. The Chief Administrative Officer could be removed by a four-fifths vote of the board.

Statewide, voters will also choose between Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra to replace Governor Gavin Newsom. In a race tied to last year's redistricting effort, San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert is running against San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond. The outcome of this contest could determine which party holds the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

On the ballot are also propositions regarding a billionaire tax and its potential cancellation. Proposition 40 proposes the tax, while Propositions 41 and 42 would effectively repeal it. Other state propositions include a bond for affordable housing and funding for immunology research. Polls in the county are open during the day until closing time on Tuesday.

Residents can vote in person at designated locations throughout the county. All voting sites will be open on election day. Voters who have not yet returned a mail-in ballot can still cast one at the polls. The full text of the measures is available on the official county election website for those who want to review the specific legal language before deciding.