Locally, support of Measure G, the bid by Limoneira Company to develop East Area 1, was strong: a total of 3,292 Santa Paulans voted for the measure, while 695 rejected it. Measure G sought to bring the approximately 500-acre Teague-McKevett Ranch property east of the city into the urban boundary limits, as well as bypass Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) mandates.In all, 3,987 Santa Paula voters cast ballots.Throughout Ventura County - where voter turnout hit a new low - more voters used an absentee ballot than cast votes the traditional way. Of the 393,088 registered voters countywide, only 12.27 percent went to the polls, while a scant 17.19 percent voted by absentee ballot for the total of 115,498 ballots cast.Limoneira Company plans to develop up to 1,500 homes and amenities on the property located just east of the city. The development plan still must pass muster with land-use deciding LAFCO, which is expected to consider annexing the property to the city in the fall.
Report shows that SP voters stayed home but still voted June 3
July 11, 2008
Santa Paula News
What is probably a growing trend showed that more Santa Paulans who stayed away from the polls for the June 3 Primary Election voted than those who voted in person.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesWhat is probably a growing trend showed that more Santa Paulans who stayed away from the polls for the June 3 Primary Election voted than those who voted in person. Absentee ballots outnumbered those cast at polling places, according to the Certificate of the County Clerk that finalized the vote for Measure G, which asked voters to decide on development to the east of city limits.The number of precinct ballots cast in Santa Paula for the measure - as well as primary candidates and a few state initiatives - was 1,814. Those who voted by mail outvoted those going to the polls; in all, 2,255 Santa Paulans decided to cast their votes using absentee ballots.According to Santa Paula City Clerk Josie Herrera, a May 8, 2007 Special Election drew 2,428 absentee voters and 2,039 precinct votes. “It appears that voters are realizing how easy and convenient it is to vote in advance by mail rather than voting at the polls on Election Day,” noted Herrera. And, she added, voting by mail “saves time and fuel!”In other election news, Santa Paula showed a hefty turnout of close to 40 percent, compared to the dismissive reaction of the countywide electorate, only 29.4 percent who cast a ballot on June 3.