Voting In Petaluma: Everything You Need To Know

PETALUMA, CA — Voters will decide in Tuesday's general election which candidates they want to represent them on the Petaluma City Council. Eight candidates, including three incumbents, are vying for three seats on the council.

Petaluma voters also voted on two local ballot measures — Measure CC and Measure U — and chose which two candidates they want to represent them as trustees on the governing board of Petaluma Joint Union High School District /Petaluma City Schools.

Incumbents

Councilman Mike Healy, an attorney, is seeking election to his sixth four-year term.

Councilwoman Kathy Miller, also an attorney, is seeking her third term.
Councilman Gabe Kearney, an emergency services coordinator, is seeking his second term.

Five Challengers

Susan Kirks is a communication specialist/conservation consultant seeking her first term.
Dennis Pocekey, a physician and community volunteer, is seeking his first term.

Lizzie Wallack, a mother of two and a founding partner of Everywhere Architecture, is also seeking election to her first term.

Brian Barnacle, a clean energy consultant, is seeking his first team.

Robert Conklin, who serves on the city of Petaluma's Tree Advisory Committee, is also seeking a seat on the council.

Petaluma Joint Union High School District

Locally, voters will also decide on which candidates should represent them as governing board trustees for Petaluma Joint Union High School District/Petaluma City Schools.

There are two open seats and four candidates.

Incumbents Ellen Webster, a retired teacher, and Sheldon Gen, a college professor, are seeking re-election to the board, while challengers Linda Judah, an educator/biologist/parent, and fellow challenger Carol Ann Street are seeking their first term on the board.

Measure CC, Petaluma Health Care District

Ballot Question: To assure continued operation of Petaluma Valley Hospital as an acute care hospital with 24/7 walkin basic emergency care for a minimum of 20 years, shall the Petaluma Health Care District enter into an agreement to sell Petaluma Valley Hospital to NorCal HealthConnect, LLC, a secular affiliate of Providence St. Joseph Health, for $52.6 million, per the terms approved by Resolution 20-05 adopted August 6, 2020?

A "yes" vote on Measure CC will allow District to proceed to sell substantially all of its assets to NorCal.

A "no" vote on Measure CC will prohibit the District from proceeding with the sale.

Measure U

Ballot Question: City of Petaluma Local Recovery, Emergency Preparedness, and Essential Services Measure. To maintain emergency health/wildfire/natural disaster preparedness; rapid 911 emergency response; fire protection services/firefighting equipment; well-trained community police officers; streets/pothole repair; clean/safe public areas; support for local businesses/jobs; and other city services; shall the City of Petaluma adopt a measure establishing a 1¢ sales tax, providing approximately $13,500,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring audits, citizen oversight, and all funds spent locally?

A "yes" vote on Measure U authorizes the City of Petaluma to increase the sales tax by 1%.

A "no" vote on Measure U prohibits the City of Petaluma from imposing the proposed sales tax.

Still need to cast your vote? Click here to find out where in Petaluma to vote in person or drop off your mail ballot; or search this map from the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters to find a vote center or ballot drop box near you.

Want to double-check that your mail ballot has been received? Track it here.

Check back with Patch at 8 p.m. Tuesday for Election Day results.

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