San Diego County voters are showing strong support for two ballot initiatives that would reshape county government and raise a sales tax to fund critical services. As of Wednesday, both Measure A and Measure B are polling at about 52% of the vote, each outpacing the opposition by roughly 23,500 votes.
What the Measures Propose
Measure A would grant the three‑member Board of Supervisors an additional term and expand their power to hire and fire senior county officials, as well as shape the county budget. Proponents argue this will keep the bureaucracy aligned with the supervisors’ policy priorities.
Measure B would create a new countywide sales tax to generate revenue for health‑care, child‑care services and a plan to address the cross‑border sewage crisis affecting Tijuana. The measure is intended to ensure sufficient funding for the priorities set by the Board.
Political Context
The measures are backed by the Democratic majority on the Board of Supervisors and allied labor groups, who view the proposals as a way to move county government toward a more activist stance. A win for both would represent a significant victory for the three‑member Democratic leadership.
Other Local Races
In nearby Vista, Democratic Socialists of America member Kenneth Zuniga is within 500 votes of former Republican councilmember Joe Green in the mayoral race. Zuniga credits a grassroots effort that has included over 13,000 door knocks and 30,000 phone calls since June.
Conservative Mayor Bruce Ehlers of Encinitas is locked in a tight race with Democratic challenger Rimga Viskanta, while two Democrats lead in City Council contests that could flip the traditionally conservative council to a Democratic majority.
In San Marcos, a Democrat is narrowly ahead in the race to replace Republican Mayor Rebecca Jones, who has moved to a vacant seat on the County Board of Supervisors.
Development and Housing Updates
Midway Rising’s megadevelopment project has faced scrutiny after the city closed a loophole that would have allowed the developer to claim credit for affordable units that were not truly new to the neighborhood. The city added language to the final agreement prohibiting “off‑siting” without explicit permission.
Upcoming Election Logistics
Councilmember Marni von Wilpert’s victory in the 48th Congressional District will likely lead her to vacate her District 5 Council seat, prompting a special election within 90 days. Additionally, a recall effort against Mayor Todd Gloria cannot begin signature gathering until late November, with a hard deadline of March 3, 2027 for submission.
What It Means for Residents
If Measure A passes, county supervisors will have greater control over staffing and budgeting, potentially accelerating projects that align with their platform. Measure B’s sales‑tax revenue would fund health and child‑care programs, as well as infrastructure improvements to address the Tijuana sewage issue, directly impacting families and neighborhoods across the county.
Both measures remain too close to call, but the widening leads suggest a favorable trajectory for the Democratic‑backed proposals as more ballots are counted.
Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.
