Preliminary Results for San Diego Ballot Measures: 2022 Election

People walk along the sidewalks near the Port of San Diego, Calif., on March 27, 2021. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Out of six ballot measures, one countywide and five citywide, before San Diego voters in the Nov. 8 election, four were winning, according to updated results Nov. 10, including a county general tax on cannabis businesses and a $3.2 billion bond for city K–12 schools.

San Diegans were evenly split on the remaining two measures, including a new trash collection fee for certain neighborhoods in the city.

Here are the preliminary results released by the county registrar as of 5 p.m, Nov. 11.

County Measure A: Cannabis Tax

The measure was winning 57.51 percent to 42.49 percent.

It would impose a tax on recreational and medical cannabis businesses in San Diego County’s unincorporated areas, generating an estimated $3 million to $5.5 million. The revenue would be used for government services, such as parks and recreation, health care, and fire safety.

City Measure B: Trash Collection Fee

San Diegans seem to be evenly divided on the measure, with 50.86 percent against and 49.14 percent in favor.

Measure B would allow the City of San Diego to charge a trash collection fee for single-family homes and multi-unit complexes with up to four residences on a single lot.

Supporters say these residents are not paying their share while those living in apartments and condos have to pay for private haulers. Opponents say they already pay for trash collection services through property taxes.

If passed, the fee would not be effective until approved by the city council after a study is conducted to determine the cost of services.

City Measure C: Remove 30-Foot Height Limit for Midway District Buildings

Voters are also torn on this measure, with 50.59 percent in support and 49.41 percent opposed.

The measure would remove the current 30-foot height limit for the city’s Midway District, excluding the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area of 1,324 acres.

Proponents say the measure would create more housing and restore a rundown neighborhood, whereas opponents say it would lead to denser residential complexes and cause traffic congestion.

City Measure D: Repeal Ban on Project Labor Agreements

The measure is winning 56.84 percent to 43.16 percent.

It would repeal a decade-long ban that prohibited the city from requiring contractors to enter into project labor agreements—discussions between contractors and labor organizations to establish terms of employment—for construction projects.

Supporters claim the current ban deprives the city of funding, which they say is not granted to local construction projects prohibiting such labor agreements. Opponents say this is not a concern because the ban contains an exemption allowing labor agreements on projects when funding opportunities might be affected.

City Measure H: Child Care Services

Measure H was winning 67.23 percent to 32.77 percent.

It would give the “City Manager”—which would default to the Mayor’s role since the city currently has no city manager—the right to approve leasing county parks and recreation centers for child care services.

If passed, 42 recreation centers would be eligible for use, according to a recent survey, which could benefit an estimated 74,000 children under the age of 5 that don’t have access to quality, licensed care, according to supporters. However, those in opposition say they are against allowing current or future mayors to be solely in charge of such decisions for valuable parkland.

San Diego Unified Measure U: $3.2 Billion K–12 School Bond

Placed on the ballot by the San Diego Unified School District, the measure requires at least 55 percent of votes to pass, which is likely, with 62.88 percent approval and 37.12 percent opposition so far.

The measure would activate a $3.2 billion bond—the fourth in the school district’s past 14 years—to fund improvements of facilities and security for public and charter schools in the city, and the construction of hundreds of units of affordable housing for district employees, according to the ballot’s text.

According to district officials, the bond would not affect taxpayers since it would be paid off by extending the existing districtwide property tax of six cents per $100 of assessed value. Those in opposition say they are concerned about the district’s ability to be financially responsible.

For latest results, please visit San Diego County Registrar of Voters website.