Long Beach residents voting on Tuesday, June 5 will be asked to choose a governor and senator (among other offices) as well as decide the fate of multiple measures, while some constituents will also cast deciding votes in one of three runoff races for two council members and school board representative.
Three races were left undecided during the city’s primary election in April.
Certified Election Results Send Three Political Races to June 5 Runoff
Fifth District residents will need to decide between incumbent Stacy Mungo and former Long Beach harbor commissioner Rich Dines, while Seventh District residents will choose between incumbent Roberto Uranga and newcomer Jared Milrad.
Juan Benitez and Cesar Armendariz will face off tomorrow, vying to become the next Long Beach Unified School District board member.
One local measure will be left to the hands of the entire city, however—Measure M. The measure would allow the city to amend its charter to “authorize annual fund transfers from the city’s water, sewer and gas utilities to the general fund,” according to the official sample ballot.
It is not a tax increase and stems from a settlement reached by the city last year regarding a lawsuit filed by a resident over fees it charged its water department for access to water and sewer lines, and a second pending suit regarding the city’s gas company. Both suits cited state laws that dictate that utilities cannot charge more than what it costs to provide service.
Charter Reform Allowing City to Charge Fees on Municipal-Run Utilities Set for June 5 Ballot
While city officials have been quick to promote the passage of this measure which would fund police, fire, 911, park, senior and street repair programs, opponents like former Councilwoman Gerri Schipske, called the measure a “money grab” in the sample ballot.
Polling places are scheduled to open from 7:00AM to 8:00PM. To find your polling place, look up your sample ballot, track your Vote-By-Mail ballot or to find out about campaign contributions click on the city’s website here, the county’s website here or the state’s website here.