Soledad voters reject Measure P, city council to discuss next steps

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION) - UPDATE MARCH 6, 2024 AT 5:12 PM- People living in Soledad have made their feelings heard as they have voted against Measure P.

If the measure was approved, that would have put in place a five-district map that would have had a five-district map in place which meant voters in each district would elect a city council member plus the role of mayor would rotate between city council members.

Voters will still have a say in who is voting for the mayor and the city council.

"It was a reflection of what our citizens and our residents had shared with the council already," Soledad Mayor Anna Velasquez said. "They wanted to retain their right to vote for their mayor."

Monica Andrade who is a spokesperson for the Soledad Committee of Voting Rights is glad that people voted against the measure but she felt like it should have never made it on the ballot.

"Come out and and exercise you know your vote because it could easily be taken away," Andrade said.

Velasquez said once the election results get finalized in April, the Soledad City Council will discuss their next steps.

"These are the discussions that we need to have with our legal counsel in terms of what are the options for the council," Velasquez said. "How do we make sure that we still are in compliance with, the California Voting Rights Act, lawsuit that came to the city and how can we move forward."

Original Story

Some people in Soledad are raising concerns about "Measure P" and how it's written.

Some viewers said the writing for the ballot measure is confusing and are concerned their views on supporting or rejecting the city's district elections ordinance won't be properly counted

It's a measure that will determine the future of district elections in the city – and how the mayor is elected in Soledad.

"I need to study it further because I don't want to mistakes in how I vote for myself, my family, and the people that deserve to vote for who their mayor is," said Karen Eggermann who lives in Soledad.

The "No on P" following has been vocal while some council members previously voiced their support for the district elections ordinance as it stands.

Some "Yes on P" signs around town have a website attached, but when KION looked up the website, the page was blank.

"This adds to the confusion, the wording on the ballot and the fictitious websites, that's not serving our community," said Monica Andrade, the spokesperson for the Soledad Committee of Voting Rights.

Here's the measure as it's currently written:

“Shall City of Soledad ordinance no. 765- establishing and implementing by-district elections, by which all city council members shall be selected from newly established voting districts and the mayor’s position shall no longer be elected at-large by the public but rather, shall be selected from among the seated council members, be adopted?”

In simple terms, voting yes on Measure P means you want district elections and​ for the council to choose the city's mayor.

Voting no on measure P means you reject district elections and​ want to elect a mayor directly.

According to the program manager for vote-by-mail services – poll workers can't explain a measure to voters in person.

However – they can refer them to voter guides with an impartial description of the measure with the meaning of a yes or no vote. Voter guides are available at polling stations and county elections offices.

To go to your nearest polling place in Soledad or wherever you live visit montereycountyelections.us