#ballot-measure

#ballot-measure

Seth Adams, a director of Save Mount Diablo, said Judge Michael Markman's Nov. 19 decision was a "huge victory" and "one of great holiday cheer." "You've got to stand up to bullies," said Adams, whose organization was one of two groups who sued the city, including another group called Friends of Livermore. "Dublin has been a bully in this situation."

Fifteen years after a landmark Supreme Court case turbocharged corporate spending in the political process, a group hopes it may have a way to finally rein in some of the outsized influence of the ultrawealthy. The 2010 ruling on Citizens United opened the floodgates of political spending in elections. Every year since then, untraceable financial political contributions, largely from corporations and wealthy individuals, have increased dramatically.

Local News Question 3 asks voters whether Somerville officials should divest from companies that "engage in business that sustains Israel's apartheid, genocide and illegal occupation of Palestine." A nonbinding ballot question on whether Somerville should divest from companies supporting Israel's actions in Palestine passed overwhelmingly Tuesday night, unofficial results indicated. Question 3 asked voters whether Somerville officials should divest from companies that "engage in business that sustains Israel's apartheid, genocide and illegal occupation of Palestine," The question passed with 11,489 votes, or 55.7 percent of the votes, according to unofficial election results. According to unofficial election results, 38.4 percent, or 7,920 people, voted against the question, while 5.8 percent, or 1,203 voters, left the question blank.

"The proposed measure would make vital projects essential for our city and these Games potentially impossible to complete," Krekorian said in a statement to The Times.

Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank up to five candidates, ensuring that preferences are accounted for while not penalizing the first choice.