Election 2010: What’s on the Ballot?

Election Day is here, and Union City's got some competitve races underway. Nine candidates are running for three seats on the City Council and four candidates are vying for two spots on the New Haven Unified School District Board of Education.

Also on the ballot are Measure AA, a proposed half-cent increase on the local sales tax and Alameda County's Measure F, a proposed $10 increase in vehicle registration fees. There's also a long list of state propositions and state-wide contests (see our Prop. 19 man-on-the-street feature here).

If you're not sure where your polling location is, you can find it on the county registrar's website.

Voting tomorrow begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m.

We've compiled a list of information and resources to help you be an informed voter. Click on the highlighted names to find out more about the candidate.

City Council candidates:

• Subru Bhat
• Rommel Dingle
• Emily Duncan
• Lorrin Ellis
• Pat Gacoscos
• James Greaney
• John Repar
• Gary Singh
• Bill Stone

School board candidates:

• Jerico Abanico
• Linda Canlas
• Sarabjit Cheema
• Gwen Estes (Incumbent)

Measure AA (City of Union City)

To prevent cuts to vital services such as police, fire, paramedic, library, streets, parks and other programs, the city is pushing for a half-cent sales tax increase, which equals 50 cents for every $100 purchased in Union City. According to officials, the city estimates the measure will generate $3.2 million a year. All funds will be spent entirely on city services.

Without Measure AA, the city will be forced to make cuts to city services.

"If Measure AA is not passed, the new city council will be facing a $3 million deficit per year," said Vice Mayor Richard Valle. "It's going to be horrendous in terms of the impact to our city services."

At last month's city council candidate's forum, six of the nine candidates announced their opposition to the measure. Many cited personal surveys of residents and the current economic climate.

John Repar, a retired businessman, said the city should control its costs and only spend on necessities while cutting back on other programs.  Subru Bhat, a pharmacist and biotech executive, said he opposed any tax increase. Bill Stone, an insurance agency owner, said he was in favor of a quarter-cent increase, which would be better for the community.

The measure requires a simple majority (50 percent plus one vote) to pass. The tax will expire in four years.

Measure F (Alameda County)

This countywide transportation improvement measure would add a $10 surcharge to vehicle registration fees, according to Union City Mayor and Alameda County Transportation Commission Chairman Mark Green. The measure is expected to generate $11 million a year.

According to the text of the measure, 60 percent would go toward city and county roads; 25 percent would be spent on congestion relief measures such as rail station improvements, express buses and transit passes for students and workers; 10 percent would be earmarked for transportation technology improvement; and 5 percent would help improve lighting, crosswalks, sidewalks and bicycle and pedestrian travel.

Election Resources:

• Election Watch 2010: A Proposition Breakdown
• Alameda County Registrar of Voters
• Find your polling place
• SmartVoter.org
• Vote By Mail

Other races:

Congressman Pete Stark, D-Fremont, faces off with Republican Forest Baker in the 13th Congressional District, which spans parts of Alameda County.

• Forest Baker (Republican)
• Pete Stark (Democrat)

Bob Wieckowski and Adnan Shahab are competing for State Assembly District 20, which includes all of Union City, Newark, Fremont and Milpitas, along with other parts of southern Alameda County and northern Santa Clara County.

• Adnan Shahab (Republican)
• Robert "Bob" Wieckowski (Democrat)

For State Senate District 10, Sen. Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro, is being challenged by American Independent Ivan Chou and Republican Rob Maffit of Hayward.

• Ellen Corbett (Democrat)
• Rob Maffit (Republican)
• Ivan Chou (American Independent)

Battling for the District 2 supervisor seat are former state senator Liz Figueroa and Nadia Lockyer, the current executive director for Alameda County Family Justice Center. Supervisor Gail Steele is stepping down after serving as District 2 supervisor for 18 years.

• Liz Figueroa
• Nadia Lockyer

Three people are competing for two slots on Alameda County Water District's Board of Directors. The water district serves Union City, Fremont and Newark.

• Judy C. Huang (Incumbent)
• Frank M. Price, Jr.
• Paul Sethy