San Rafael, CA -- Voter information pamphlets for the June 3, 2014 Primary Election mailed to voters in San Anselmo and other Southern Marin jurisdictions outside of the Marin County Library District included Marin County Library District Measure A in error. The pamphlets for voters in Corte Madera, Fairfax, Novato, Ross and the unincorporated areas of the county are correct.
According to Elaine Ginnold, Marin County Registrar of Voters, the error that put Measure A on the ballots occurred when her office coded Measure A as a countywide measure instead of a district measure. Ginnold learned about the error from the Town Clerk of San Anselmo, Joanne Kessel. The Town of San Anselmo has its own library parcel tax measure (Measure E) on the June 3 ballot.
“I take full responsibility for this mistake and apologize to voters for any confusion this has caused them,” Ginnold said. “Although it is too late to correct the voter pamphlet, the official ballots will be corrected and will not include Measure A for voters who live outside of the County Library District.”
The cost to correct the official ballots was estimated at $100,000, which is available in the Elections Office budget for the current fiscal year. In the interest of fair election practices and diffusing confusion, County staff believes the extra cost will be worth the assurance the voters have accurate ballots.
Voting for the June 3 election began May 5 at the Elections Office. Official ballots will be mailed to vote-by-mail voters starting Friday, May 9.