The Gilroy Measure C quarter-cent sales tax for public safety is heavily favored by voters in the initial results posted by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters office, but the count is shy of the two-thirds majority needed for passage.
As of 9pm, 60.54% votes counted—or 6,130 votes—are “yes” for Measure C, according to the registrar’s website. “No” votes so far number 3,995 ballots.
Approved by a majority of the city council earlier this year for the Nov. 5 ballot, Measure C reads, “To generate funding that cannot be seized by the State, but stays in Gilroy and is dedicated to public safety (police, fire and ambulance) services and public safety infrastructure projects, shall Gilroy enact a 0.25 percent (one-quarter of one percent) transactions and use tax; and include a citizen oversight committee and annual audits for the tax?”
The results posted by the registrar’s office so far reflect vote-by-mail ballots and drop off ballots that were collected before election day.
The measure requires a two-thirds majority, or almost 67%, in order to pass.