In each California election, voters are requested to approve poll measures proposed by native officers. However the partisan description on the ballots misleads voters about what the measures would do, how they'd increase authorities spending and improve taxes.
Whereas their subject material could also be wide-ranging, all poll measures have one factor in frequent: a 75-word-maximum poll query — a query required by legislation to be correct and neutral. A 2021 Alameda County Grand Jury report, “The Want for Accuracy and Impartiality of Poll Measure Questions,” needs to be notably vital this time of 12 months.
As in comparison with state measures, the wording of native poll measures doesn't require approval by anybody apart from the jurisdiction wanting it to cross, a bunch that isn’t neutral. Many citizens don't learn the professional and con arguments discovered within the voters’ handbook. As an alternative, they determine from the phrases that seem on the poll alone.
The grand jury investigated how native governments’ poll questions are ready. The investigation centered completely on the accuracy, transparency and impartiality of poll questions.
The grand jury discovered poll questions endure from a major “proponent’s bias,” which falls wanting the anticipated transparency and impartiality. For instance, tax improve measures frequently tout widespread public advantages corresponding to enhancing roads, police or homelessness. However such advantages aren't truly contained within the official ordinance elevating the tax. The cash might be spent elsewhere.
Or they state the tax in a purposely obscure manner. Or they exaggerate the advantages and gloss over the prices. Typically simply the quantity of the precise tax improve is cited, however the present price, to which the brand new tax will probably be added, isn't talked about.
Only one present instance from the upcoming November election is Livermore College District’s Measure G. It says the tax would solely price 6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (tax charges needs to be expressed in dollars per $100,000 of valuation). Few would know find out how to determine what this implies in the course of the jiffy most spend voting. However that tax improve would price $600 a 12 months for a home assessed at $1 million.
The grand jury believed voters deserve higher poll questions. It initially proposed that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors create an advisory panel to assessment poll questions for truthfulness and impartiality. Nonetheless, the board refused to comply with the grand jury’s suggestion. (The grand jury recognized the board as an offender in presenting misleading poll language to the voters).
The grand jury discovered that such a assessment panel and course of would enhance the transparency and completeness of poll questions whereas working throughout the tight timelines required for poll submissions. The outcomes wouldn't be legally binding however would operate extra like the favored Yelp rankings that the general public is acquainted with.
Given the inherent bias of the present course of, which is to advertise voter approval, this challenge received’t repair itself. No checks exist on how native governments write poll questions. As a result of most poll questions are drafted by town lawyer, whose livelihood relies on pleasing that very same metropolis, their goal assessment is unlikely. This needs to be modified to require a very impartial evaluation of the 75-word poll language.
The League of Ladies Voters, Taxpayers Affiliation, East Bay Instances and different native newspapers have applauded the grand jury report and favor its implementation. An impartial physique is sorely wanted. Is there a civic group or elected official in Alameda County that may lead this effort?
Janet Clark and Michael Henn are members of the Alameda County Grand Jury Affiliation, a nonprofit group of former members of the grand jury.