September 07, 2006

Fights widen over ballot rebuttals

"The debate about whether or not to include rebuttal arguments for or against November ballot measures in mailed-out voter information is expanding in Solano County.

A group of Dixon residents will be watching closely today as opponents of Measure J, a proposed extension of the county's Orderly Growth Initiative, head to court to fight for the right to rebut an argument in favor of the measure in voter pamphlets.

They'll be watching, because they are in the midst of the same kind of battle with county elections officials over Measure L, a proposal to repeal a recent sewer rate increase in Dixon.

In both the Measure J and Measure L campaigns, one side of the debate has submitted an argument for inclusion in voter election information to be mailed out later this month. In the case of Measure J, supporters of the measure submitted their argument in favor of the measure by the Aug. 18 deadline.

A group of farmers opposed to the initiative did not, and when they then tried to submit a rebuttal to the proponents' argument, county elections officials ruled against them. They have now filed action in Solano Superior Court where a local judge is scheduled to hear the case today.

In the case of Dixon's Measure L, it is the opponents of the measure - the city of Dixon - that submitted an argument by the Aug. 18 deadline. Proponents of the measure now want to submit a rebuttal.

County elections officials have ruled, however, that rebuttals can't be included because those submitting them failed to file an initial argument detailing their positions. The rebuttal process is only triggered, County Counsel Dennis Bunting has stated, when both sides have submitted initial arguments. Thus, on Measure L, there will be no rebuttal by either side."

The article is here.

Posted by Randy Riddle at September 7, 2006 09:06 AM