Orange County 2016 Complete Voter Guide

The Nov. 8 ballot is peppered with measures and initiatives, both statewide and local, potentially leaving voters with ballot- question overload. There are also some important statewide and countywide candidates.

Here is a brief summary of the major statewide and local measures and candidates on the ballot:

CALIFORNIA U.S. SENATE

-- State Attorney General Kamala Harris is running against Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove, to replace four-term Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, who is retiring.

Harris and Sanchez are both Democrats: Under the state's nonpartisan blanket primary law, the top two finishers in June's primary advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

Harris is a former San Francisco district attorney who has been California's top law enforcement official since 2010. Sanchez defeated longtime Republican incumbent Bob Dornan to win her Orange County congressional seat in 1996 and serves on the House Armed Services Committee.

STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES
-- Prop 51 would authorize $9 billion in bonds for construction and modernization of public, charter and vocational schools and community colleges. Paying off the bonds over 35 years would cost the state roughly $17.6 billion in principal and interest.
-- Prop 52 would extend hospital fees used to fund things such as Medi- Cal health services, uninsured patient care and children's health services. The fee is set to end Jan. 1, 2018. Critics contend the measure offers no accountability for the more than $3 billion raised by the fee, while proponents say it provides funding for critical programs and prevents diversion of funds for other purposes without voter consent.
-- Prop 53 would require voter approval before the state can issue revenue bonds of more than $2 billion for major projects funded or managed by the state. Opponents contend it could force a statewide vote on some local infrastructure projects, while proponents insist there is no impact on local projects.
-- Prop 54 would prohibit lawmakers from passing any bill unless it is publicized online for at least 72 hours before the vote, and would require the Legislature to record its pubic meetings and make those videos available on the internet. It would cost about $1 million annually to record meetings and make those recordings available online, according to the state.
-- Prop 55 would extend for another 12 years the temporary income tax increase enacted in 2012 for people making more than $250,000 a year. The law is set to expire after 2018, but Prop 55 would extend it through 2030. Revenue would go to K-12 schools, community colleges and, in certain years, health care. Proponents say it would prevent $4 billion in cuts to public schools and increase children's access to health care, while opponents say voters only supported the 2012 tax increase because the governor said it would be temporary.
-- Prop 56 would increase the cigarette tax by $2 per pack, with an equivalent increase on other tobacco products including e-cigarettes. Revenue would go primarily to health care for low-income residents. Proponents say the law would make smokers pay their fair share of tobacco-related health care costs, while opponents say too much of the money will go to insurance companies and special interests.
-- Prop 57 would allow earlier parole consideration for some nonviolent felons, authorize sentence credits for good behavior, rehab and education, and mandate that a juvenile court judge decide whether a juvenile will be tried as an adult. Proponents say it will save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, while opponents say it will result in the release of dangerous criminals.
-- Prop 58 would require school districts to get input from parents in developing language programs and would authorize districts to establish dual- language immersion programs for native and non-native English speakers. Proponents say it would give school districts local control to choose the most effective instruction methods, while opponents say it would eliminate parental rights to an English-language education for their children.
-- Prop 59 would ask California's elected officials to use their authority to seek a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's "Citizens United'' decision, which held that certain laws limiting political spending by corporations and unions were unconstitutional.
-- Prop 60 would require adult film performers to use condoms during filming of sexual intercourse and would require producers to pay for other health costs. Proponents say it would save taxpayers millions in health-care costs, while opponents say the law would allow any Californian to sue adult performers who run afoul of the law and violate the performers' privacy.
-- Prop 61 would prohibit the state from paying more than the lowest price paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for prescription drugs, with exemptions for MediCal. Proponents say it will save the state money, while opponents say it will increase prescription prices and reduce patient access to medication.
-- Prop 62 would repeal the death penalty and replace it with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Proponents say it will guarantee that no innocent person is executed and save taxpayers up to $150 million annually, while opponents say it will allow murderers to live out the rest of their lives at taxpayers' expense long after their victims are gone.
-- Prop 63 would require background checks and authorization by the U.S. Department of Justice to buy ammunition, and prohibit possession of large- capacity magazines. Proponents say it will keep guns and bullets out of the wrong hands, while opponents say it imposes costly burdens on law enforcement agencies and taxpayers. State analysts say it could cost up to tens of millions of dollars annually for a new court process for removing firearms from prohibited people.
-- Prop 64 would legalize marijuana for adults 21 and over and establish standards for marijuana products. It could result in added tax revenue of up to $1 billion annually, according to the state. Proponents tout the extra tax revenue and reduced criminal justice costs, while opponents say it omits a DUI standard to keep stoned drivers off the roads and legalizes ads promoting marijuana that could be seen by children.
-- Prop 65 would require stores to direct money collected by sales of carry-out bags to specified environmental projects. Proponents say the bag fees paid by shoppers should go to the environment, not into grocers' pockets, while opponents say Prop 65 is sponsored by out-of-state plastic companies.
-- Prop 66 would change procedures for state court challenges to death sentences, designating Superior Court for initial petitions and limiting successive petitions. Proponents say it would speed up the appeal process and save millions of dollars, while opponents say it would increase the risk of executing an innocent person.
-- Prop 67 would prohibit stores from giving away single-use plastic or paper bags, but would permit the sale of recycled paper bags and reusable bags at no less than 10 cents each, with the proceeds going to specified purposes. Proponents say it protects California's efforts to phase out plastic bags, which are an environmental hazard, while opponents call it a hidden $300 million annual tax on consumers that will go toward grocer profits and not the environment.

For a complete list of ballot measures, city and school elections information, visit the links below...

ORANGE COUNTY BALLOT MEASURES

Measures Appearing on the Ballot

• J Anaheim Elementary School District, Repair and Upgrade Aging Anaheim Schools General Obligation Bond
• K Brea Olinda Unified School District, School Facilities Improvement General Obligation Bond
• L Brea Olinda Unified School District, Proposal to Decrease Governing Board Membership
• M Capistrano Unified School District, School Facility Improvement District (SFID) General Obligation Bond
• N Centralia Elementary School District, Improving and Repairing Centralia Schools General Obligation Bond
• O Fountain Valley School District, General Obligation Bond
• P Garden Grove Unified School District, Improve School Safety and Learning Environments General Obligation Bond
• Q Huntington Beach City School District, General Obligation Bond
• R Ocean View School District, Ocean View Schools Student Success Measure, General Obligation Bond
• S Orange Unified School District, School Classroom and Facility Improvements General Obligation Bond
• T Westminster School District, School Facilities Improvement General Obligation Bond
• U City of Anaheim, Require 2/3 Vote of the City Council to Propose Taxes
• V City of Costa Mesa, Allow Operation of up to Eight Medical Marijuana (Cannibis) Businesses in the City of Costa Mesa
• W City of Costa Mesa, Allow Operation of up to Four Licensed Medical Marijuana Businesses in the City of Costa Mesa
• X City of Costa Mesa, The City of Costa Mesa Medical Marijuana Measure
• Y City of Costa Mesa, An Initiative to Require Voter Approval on Certain Development Projects
• Z City of Costa Mesa, Measure for Sensible Community Development and Development-Funded Open Space and Recreation
• AA City of Costa Mesa, An Initiative Requiring Changes in Use at Fairview Park be Subject to Voter Approval
• BB City of Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa Measure Prohibiting Athletic Fields at Fairview Park
• EE City of Costa Mesa, Voter Districts Formation
• GG City of Cypress, Cypress Town Center and Commons Specific Plan
• HH City of Fountain Valley, Fountain Valley 911 Response Police-Fire/Essential City Services Measure
• II City of Fullerton, By-District Elections
• JJ City of La Palma, City of La Palma One-Cent Sales Tax
• KK City of Laguna Beach, City of Laguna Beach Initiative Measure to Rescind Laguna Beach’s Ban on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Authorizing the Operation and Regulation of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
• LL City of Laguna Beach, City of Laguna Beach Vital Services Measure
• MM City of Newport Beach, Require 5 of 7 Votes of the City Council to Propose Taxes
• NN City of Placentia, Establishing By-District Elections
• OO City of San Clemente, San Clemente Increase in “Hotel” Guest Tax
• PP City of Santa Ana, Council Compensation Charter Reform
• QQ City of Stanton, Eliminate Funding for Stanton 9-1-1 Public Safety and Essential Services Protection Measure
• RR City of Stanton, Stanton City Council Term Limits
• SS City of Westminster, Westminster Police/9-1-1/Essential Services Measure
• TT Mesa Water District, Advisory Measure Seeking Public Input Regarding the Potential Consolidation of the Mesa Water District and the Costa Mesa Sanitary District

CITY/SCHOOL ELECTIONS:

ALISO VIEJO

City of Aliso Viejo, City Council

• Mary R. Rios, Independent Business Person
• William (Bill) A. Phillips, Councilmember/Urban Designer
• Ross Chun, Incumbent
• Mike Munzing, Mayor of Aliso Viejo/Businessman

COSTA MESA:

City of Costa Mesa, City Council:

• John Stephens, Attorney/Business Owner
• Lee Ramos, Commissioner/Retired Businessman
• Jay Humphrey, Retired Businessman
• Sandra L. "Sandy" Genis, Land Planner/Councilwoman
• Steve Mensinger, Mayor/Businessman
• Al Melone, Retired CPA
• Allan R. Mansoor, Retired Deputy Sheriff

Costa Mesa Measures:

• Costa Mesa Marijuana Initiative (8 Dispensaries)
• Costa Mesa Marijuana Initiative (4 Dispensaries)

DANA POINT:

City of Dana Point, City Council

• Nadia Khalil, Travel Agent
• Paul Wyatt, Retired Engineering Executive
• Debra Lewis, Small Business Owner
• Penny Maynard, Non Profit Consultant
• Michelle R. Brough, Businesswoman, Investment Attorney

FOUNTAIN VALLEY:

City of Fountain Valley, School District

• Ian Collins, Incumbent
• Jeanne Galindo, Trustee, Fountain Valley School District
• Jennifer Weimer, Process Safety Engineer

City of Fountain Valley, City Council

• Steve A. Nagel, City Council Member
• Kim Constantine, Business Woman
• Patrick Tucker, Retail Executive
• Cheryl Brothers, City Council Member

LAGUNA BEACH

City of Laguna Beach City Coucil

• Bob Whalen, Councilmember, Finance Attorney
• Steve Dicterow, City of Laguna Beach Councilmember, Attorney
• Verna Rollinger, Retired City Clerk
• Judie Mancuso, Businesswoman, Nonprofit CEO

City of Laguna Beach, City Treasurer

• Laura Parisi, Laguna Beach, City Treasurer
• Anne McGraw, Business Owner

Laguna Beach Unified School District

• Jan Vickers, Incumbent
• Peggy Wolff, Community Volunteer
• Howard Hills, Constitutional Lawyer/Author

LAGUNA NIGUEL

City of Laguna Niguel, City Council

• William J. Kelley, III, Attorney/Planning Commissioner
• Jonathan Wallentine, Small Business Owner
• Jerry Slusiewicz, Mayor Pro Tem
• Laurie Davies, Laguna Niguel Mayor/Businesswoman
• Matt Clements, Laguna Niguel Businessman
• Randall Aaron Morton, Consumer Legal Consultant
• John Mark Jennings, Laguna Niguel Commissioner/Attorney

LAKE FOREST

City of Lake Forest, City Council

• Frank Wagoner, Lake Forest Business Owner
• Farh Semani, Commercial Investment Manager
• Dwight Robinson, Lake Forest Councilman/Businessman
• Adam Nick, Councilman/Lake Forest Businessman
• Leah Basile, Lake Forest Business Owner
• Francisco Barajas, Account Manager/Commissioner

LOS ALAMITOS

City of Los Alamitos, City Council

• Josh Wilson, Local Business Owner
• Dean Grose, Councilman/Business Owner
• Richard D. Murphy, CPA/Councilman/Investor

Los Alamitos Unified School District

• Karen Russell, Governing Board Member, Los Alamitos Unified School District
• Meg Cutuli, Governing Board Member, Los Alamitos Unified School District
• Dave Boyer, Governing Board Member, Los Alamitos Unified School District
• Robert J. Aguilar, Jr., Parent/Legal Professional
• Cathy Larson, Teacher/Business Owner

MISSION VIEJO

City of Mission Viejo, City Council

• Patricia "Trish" Kelley, Mission Viejo Businesswoman/Instructor
• Cathy Schlicht, Mission Viejo Councilwoman/Businesswoman
• Alex A. Naghabi, Educator/Businessman
• Brian Goodell, Mission Viejo Commissioner/Businessowner
• Shelly Blair, Businesswoman

NEWPORT BEACH

City of Newport Beach, City Council, District 2

• Shelley M. Henderson, Small Business Owner
• Brad Avery, College Administrator

City of Newport Beach, City Council, District 5

• Jeff Herdman, Newport Beach Businessman
• Mike Glenn, Small Business Owner
• Lee Lowrey, Businessman/Airport Commissioner

City of Newport Beach, City Council, District 7

• Will O'Neill, Businessman
• Fred Ameri, Business Executive
• Phil Greer, Attorney

Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Trustee Area 1

• Vicki Snell, Governing Board Member, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Trustee Area 1
• Michael Schwarzmann, Attorney/Businessman/Parent

Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Trustee Area 3

• Martha Fluor, Governing Board Member, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Trustee Area 3
• Amy Peters, Businesswoman/Parent

Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Trustee Area 6

• Dana Black, Governing Board Member, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Trustee Area 6
• Leslie Bubb, Educator

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA

Rancho Santa Margarita City Council

• Shawn Gordon, Businessman/Entrepreneur
• Carol Gamble, Mayor Pro Tem
• Tony Beall, Mayor, City of Rancho Margarita

SAN CLEMENTE

City of San Clemente, City Council

• Steven Swartz, Local Business Owner
• Chris Hamm, San Clemente Firefighter/Councilman
• Pamela Joy Glass
• Robert "Bob" Baker, Mayor/Retired Pilot
• Dan Bane, Environmental Quality Lawyer

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

City of San Juan Capistrano, City Council, District 1

• Sergio Farias, Small Business Owner
• Nathan Banda, Businessman/City of San Juan Capistrano Commissioner

City of San Juan Capistrano, City Council, District 5

• Larry Kramer, Retired Submarine Captain
• Jim Schneider, Professional Geologist, Professor
• Mechelle Lawrence Adams, Director, Historic Mission
• Robert Parks, Retired Disposal Manager
• Ronda Mottl, Media Executive
• Brian Maryott, Financial Service Executive

CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT - Trustee Area 1

• Wendy Shrove, Software Development Businessowner
• Amy Hanacek, Governing Board Member, Capistrano Unified School District

CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT - Trustee Area 2

• Jim Reardon, Business Owner/ Engineer
• Gould Workman, Sales Manager

CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT - Trustee Area 3

• Patricia Holloway, Retired Business Owner
• Laura Ferguson, Public Information Officer

CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT - Trustee Area 5

• Gary Pritchard, Governing Board Member, Capistrano Unified School District, Trustee Area 5
• Jame M. Vollebregt, Marine/Orange County Businessman

SEAL BEACH

City of Seal Beach, City Council, District 2

• Ronde Winkler, Retired Business Owner
• Thomas Moore, Businessman/Entrepreneur

City of Seal Beach, City Council, District 4

• Schelly Sustarisic, Community Volunteer
• Gina Phillips, Community Volunteer

For more information on your local Orange County Elections, Candidate Statements, visit the OCVote.com Website.

VOTER INFORMATION

-- Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8.
-- Your polling place is listed on the back of the sample ballot you receive in the mail. It can also be found by visiting www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polli... or by calling (800) 345-VOTE (8683). Los Angeles County voters can also visit www.lavote.net or call (800) 815-2666.

-- Monday (Oct. 24) is the last day to register to vote.
-- Nov. 1 is the last day that county elections officials will accept an application for a vote-by-mail ballot. Vote-by-mail information can be found at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/vote-mail.