SANTA CLARA COUNTY LEAGUES OF WOMEN VOTERS RECOMMENDS
Vote No on Measure A
The Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County recommends a no vote on the proposed county-wide Measure A on the primary election ballot June 7. Measure A asks voters to approve an increase in terms limits from the current Santa Clara Valley Board member term limits of three successive four-year terms (12 years total) to four successive four-year terms (16 years total). However the ballot language says “Shall the measure amending the Santa Clara Valley Water District Ordinance 11-01 to limit Board members to four successive four-year terms be adopted?” This language implies to voters that they are limiting the length of Board member terms when in fact they are increasing the length of available Board service from three to four terms. Therefore the Santa Clara County Leagues of Women Voters opposes Measure A on the basis of misleading ballot language. Deceptive language that confuses voters violates LWV standards of good governance.
As background, in 2010, voters in Santa Clara County passed Measure C, which instituted term limits for the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board members. Measure C passed with over 75% yes votes and instituted term limits of three successive four-year terms for a total of 12 years.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. The Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County formed a County Council to be known as the Council of the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County. This County Council is composed of the five local Leagues in Santa Clara County: LWV Cupertino/Sunnyvale, LWV Los Altos - Mountain View, LWV Palo Alto, LWV San Jose/Santa Clara, and LWV Southwest Santa Clara Valley.
Media Contact: League@LwvSantaClaraCounty.org