Politics & Government

Manhattan Beach Voter Guide

Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the primary election.

Local voters heading to the polls Tuesday will cast ballots on five propositions, as well as selecting party nominees for governor, senator and other statewide offices. Here's a list of the major candidates and ballot measures on the primary election ballot.

Gubernatorial Race

Republican voters will be choosing between Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman as the two major candidates for their party's nomination.

Find out what's happening in Manhattan Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Leading up to the primary election, Poizner has called for a 10 percent cut on personal income, state sales and corporate taxes, as well as a 10 percent reduction in state spending.

Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman has called for a $15-billion reduction in the state budget and a decrease of 40,000 in state workers. Whitman has made improving the state's education system a focus of her campaign.

Find out what's happening in Manhattan Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For the Democrats, Attorney General Jerry Brown is the only major candidate for governor. Brown was elected California governor in 1974 and re-elected in 1978. Brown has called for no tax increases unless approved by voters, as well as more authority to be given to small towns such as Manhattan Beach.

Senate Race

Republicans will be choosing among Tom Campbell, Chuck DeVore and Carly Fiorina as the three major candidates to become the party's nominee in the U.S. Senate race.

Former Rep. Tom Campbell has lead his campaign with a call to curb federal spending, reduce the nation's deficit and preserve private health care. He has urged stronger security along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine) has been known to favor offshore oil drilling along the California coast. He has also encouraged the development of modern nuclear power in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He has openly opposed the federal stimulus package, abortion and government benefits for illegal immigrants.

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina has argued that lower taxes and less regulation will improve the country's economic state. She is opposed to abortion and gay marriage, and would like to see the health care reform legislation repealed and Guantanamo Bay prison kept open.

For the Democrats, incumbent Barbara Boxer is the only major candidate. If re-elected in November, it would be her fourth term. Recently, the Senate passed legislation that included Boxer's amendment prohibiting tax dollars from being used to bail out Wall Street. She has also contributed to the Obama administration's efforts to create more jobs around the country. Boxer has a reputation for advocating for policies that protect the environment.

Propositions

Proposition 13 would allow property owners to make earthquake safety retrofits to a building without triggering property tax reassessments.

Proposition 14 would require that all candidates for statewide, congressional and legislative offices run on the same primary ballot and voters would choose their candidate from a full list. The new system would take effect in the 2012 elections.

Proposition 15 would allow for public financing to fund the secretary of state race in 2014 and 2018. The proposition would increase registration fees for lobbyists, lobbying firms and lobbyist employers to fund secretary of state races.

Proposition 16 would require local governments, such as the city of Manhattan Beach, to win a two-thirds voter approval before organizing new public electricity networks.

Proposition 17 would permit insurance companies to offer a discount to drivers who have continuously maintained their auto insurance coverage even if they change their insurance company.

To learn more about local candidates in the state Assembly and Congressional district races, click on the stories to the right under "See More on Patch." For a full list of candidates and propositions on the Tuesday ballot, visit the California Secretary of State's website. To find a polling place near you, click here. To vote-by-mail, click here.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here