Election Briefs Election Briefs (October 15, 2004)

Walter raises $3,106

Mountain View-Whisman school board candidate Fiona Walter raised $3,106 in campaign donations, according to finance forms filed last week. All of her donations were $100 or less.

She did not sign a form intending to raise and spend less than $1,000 as reported by the Voice last week.

Walter, a newcomer, is running against four others for three seats. Only incumbent Gloria Higgins has raised more money than her with $3,604.

Campaign signs vandalized

Despite the recent defacement of local candidates' campaign signs, helpful locals have been replanting them.

Mountain View City Council candidate Tom Means noticed all the campaign signs at the corner of Phyllis Avenue and El Camino Real were knocked down and vandalized on Oct. 7. They were put back by anonymous bicyclists riding by.

He also noticed that one of his signs were missing at Levin Avenue and Grant Road and said that the recent incidents have happened more than once.

So far, it appears the vandalism was not specifically targeted at any candidate. The cost of replacing a campaign sign costs between $10 to $15 each.

Watch candidates debate on KMVT

Mountain View City Council candidates will participate in a live debate that will be aired on KMVT Channel 15 in Mountain View on Oct. 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Viewers can send questions to KMVT by e-mail to kmvtdebate@kmvt15.org or by phone at 968-1540.

The debate will be streamed live on the KMVT Web site at www.kmvt15.org.

Local residents suing over voting rights

Mountain View attorney Scott Rafferty is challenging a new state law that requires some absentee voters to forfeit their right to a secret ballot.

On Sept. 27, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill requiring individuals voting by fax to sign an oath stating that their vote will no longer be kept secret.

Rafferty, representing Mountain View resident Edwin Lau, who works overseas, and Stanford graduate Teresa Bridgeman, filed a complaint with the state Supreme Court asking for an immediate stay of the law.

"There's no reason why you should have to forfeit your right to a secret ballot," said Rafferty.

Local attorney in state voter guide

Mountain View attorney Gary Wesley authored two arguments against ballot measures in the state voter information guide.

Wesley, who has sued the city of Mountain View to view government records, wrote an argument against Proposition 59, which would expand public access to government. The measure does not go far enough, he wrote, but he told the Voice he would vote for it.

He also wrote an opinion against Proposition 61, in which the state would sell $750 million in general obligation bonds to pay for children's hospital projects.

Wesley has written about "two dozen" arguments opposing ballot measures since 1980 "just for voter consideration," he said.

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