Bond Measure SOS
SOS is PVPUSD’s Classroom Repair and Student Safety Measure.
On Tuesday, November 5, 55.72% of voters voted Yes on SOS, while 44.28% voted no. Needing at least 55% of votes cast in favor of the measure for it to pass, SOS exceeded this mark by just 0.72%.
The bond measure will authorize nearly $300 million to be used for repairing outdated classrooms, labs and schools to support a quality education.
The money received will also be used to repair leaky roofs, faulty electrical systems, poor plumbing systems and improve natural disaster safety on campus.
Being a bond measure, SOS will increase local taxes. With improved school facilities, however, it is estimated local property values will increase.
SOS will ensure the funds will be utilized strictly for improving PVPUSD campuses through fiscal accountability protections. These protections include the establishment of a citizens’ oversight committee and annual audits.
Additionally, no funds from SOS can be taken from the State nor can they be used to raise staff salaries, benefits or anything other than school campus facilities improvements, including administrative buildings.
PVPUSD School Board
With two PVPUSD governing board member seats available and four candidates who ran for the position, voters cast their ballots for no more than two of the candidates.
The two candidates at the top of the ticket are returning Board President Ami Gandhi and Mayor Pro Tem of Rancho Palos Verdes Eric Alegria, with 12,582 (31.64%) and 10,688 (26.88%) votes respectively.
Candidate Jeremy Vanderhal came in at a close third with 9,949 (25.02%) votes cast and candidate Alexandria Kay Blumer in fourth with 6,544 (16.46%) votes.
Returning to the school board, Gandhi’s goal is “to continue to be an advocate for our children, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed,” and aims to “foster a positive learning environment that promotes academic excellence and nurtures the potential of every student,” according to gandhi4pv.com.
As a member of the school board, Alegria plans to “tackle the problems our schools face head-on,” including fixing campus facilities, engaging parents, supporting mental health, expanding extracurricular and STEM opportunities (ericalegria.org).
State Assembly
(Photo courtesy of California State Assembly) (Jeff Walters)
The candidates for California’s 66th District State Assemblymember were Al Muratsuchi (D) and George Barks (R).
58.28% of voters chose Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi to represent the 66th District of California, and 41.72% of voters selected George Barks, keeping Muratsuchi in office as Assemblymember.
During the Assemblymember’s steady time in office, he has served in the positions of Chair of the Education Committee and Chair of the Aerospace Select Committee among others.
Assemblymember Muratsuchi has focused heavily on issues surrounding environmental advocacy and education during his time in the State Assembly.
United States Congress
(Photo courtesy of U.S. House of Representatives)
The candidates for the US Representative of the 36th District of California were Ted W. Lieu (D) and Melissa Toomim (R).
Approximately 67% of voters chose Congressman Lieu, with the remaining 33% went for Toomim.
Representative Lieu will remain a member of Congress, now for nearly a decade, as he first assumed office in 2015.
Rep. Lieu has been involved in committee work surrounding issues of national security and foreign affairs, local issues and government oversight and ethics.
Rep. Lieu is also an active advocate for civil rights and social justice, also focusing on other topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and technology and the environment.
United States President
After a close race in the late hours of Election Day, Donald Trump (R) secured the necessary electoral college votes to win the presidency. As of Wednesday, Nov. 6, 4:30 PM, Trump leads with 295 electoral votes while Vice President Kamala Harris (D) has won 226.
Trump won five out of seven total swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Trump’s success is the result of a months-long campaigning process in which both candidates held rallies in a variety of states, discussing their policies and plans if they were to be elected.
In the weeks before Election Day the polls were remarkably close, further contributing to the tension of the race.