Petaluma ballot overview
Learn more about the races and measures on your ballot for the Nov. 3 election
Find your official precinct, districts, and elected officials based on your registered address here.
Sonoma County supervisor
Petaluma and surrounding areas are represented on the five-member Sonoma County Board of Supervisors by the District 2 supervisor. The board’s core responsibilities include management of the county budget, legislation and policy, land use and planning, and public services oversight. Its jurisdiction includes the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, Sonoma Water, and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
Supervisors serve four-year terms with a base pay of approximately $173,000. There are two candidates running for District 2 supervisor:
- Joanna Paun, Petaluma City Schools board member
- Sylvia Lemus, Cotati City Council member and mayor, business owner
Petaluma mayor
The mayor of Petaluma is the presiding officer over all City Council meetings, meaning they may introduce or second a debate to go before the council and decide questions of order. The mayor acts as a ceremonial representative on behalf of the city at public events and functions, according to the city council rules and procedures.
Mayors earn $10 per meeting plus may access healthcare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, and a wellness reimbursement program. Three candidates are running for Petaluma mayor:
- John Hanania, auto shop owner
- Kevin McDonnell, retired civil engineer, incumbent
- Shelina Moreda, professional athlete, dairy farmer, businesswoman
Petaluma City Council
Petaluma's City Council is made up of seven members who represent specific geographic districts in town. Members each hold one vote on policy, budget, and land-use issues brought before the council, and serve four-year terms. Residents in districts 1, 2, and 3 will be voting for their representative in this election.
City Council members earn $5 per meeting plus may access healthcare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, and a wellness reimbursement program.
District 1
This area encompasses an area roughly bordered by Maria Drive to the east, Petaluma Boulevard North to the west, the fairgrounds to the south, and just past Old Redwood Highway to the north. Three candidates are running for a single seat:
- Janice Cader Thompson, retired dental hygienist, incumbent
- Alan LaPierre, property manager
- Nate Martin, retail manager
District 2
This area encompasses a northeast portion of the city. It primarily includes the area east of Maria Drive, from Corona Road to East Washington Street. It includes a small section bordered by East Washington Street, Maria Drive, Gilrix Street, and Ely Boulevard South. Two candidates are running for a single seat:
- Brent Newell, environmental attorney
- John Shribbs, retired research scientist and retired public school teacher, incumbent
District 3
This district is roughly bordered by Highway 101 to the east, McDowell Elementary School to the north, Crinella drive to the west, and Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility to the south. Two candidates are running for a single seat:
- Karen Nau, retired preschool teacher, incumbent
- Eric Vazquez, education advocacy and government relations associate, EAH Housing
See more of our reporting on the Petaluma City Council candidates, including questionnaires and transcripts of past interviews, right here.
School board trustees
School board trustees (also referred to as board members) oversee the governance of local schools. This includes decision-making on policies and budgets and ensuring that the district is adequately serving its students. The role also includes overseeing facilities and staffing, regularly meeting with district administrators, and goal setting.
Petaluma City Schools Trustee Area 2
- Brianne Balzarini, retired operations manager, running unopposed
PCS Trustee Area 3
- John Garcia, physician/medical doctor
- Laura Holmes, parent, human resources consultant
PCS Trustee Area 5
- John LaBare, operations manager, father
- Sarah Seitchik Sebastian, nonprofit director, real estate agent
Sonoma County Junior College District, Trustee Area 2
- Margaret Fishman, incumbent, running unopposed
Sonoma County Board of Education, Trustee Area 2
- Jonathan Lenz, educator
- Caitlin Quinn, nonprofit union president and Petaluma City Schools board member
Old Adobe Union School District
Three candidates running unopposed:
- Anna Dietrich, incumbent
- Stephanie Germyn, parent
- Scott William McKenna, incumbent
Waugh School District
Four candidates running for three seats:
- Denise Bugbee, incumbent
- Kevin Gushue, accountant
- Dylan Lloyd, parent/architect
- Christine D. Pieper, incumbent
Cinnabar School District
Three candidates running unopposed:
- April E. Goltermann, incumbent
- Patricia Murch, incumbent
- Richard C. O’Hare, incumbent
Liberty School District
Four candidates running unopposed:
- Ronald K. Evenich, incumbent
- Jamie Fowler, incumbent
- Bret Herman, incumbent
- Bob Koenitzer, appointed incumbent (short-term seat)
Dunham School District
- Joe Petersen, incumbent
- Ernesto Raffo, incumbent
- Taylor Withrington, incumbent
Wilmar Union School District
- Andrea Christensen, insurance broker
- Lyn Romstad, appointed incumbent
Measure AB
What is it? The Santa Rosa Junior College is seeking voter approval to issue $830 million in bonds to fund facility improvements. Bond funds cannot go toward staff salaries or operating expenses, and a citizen oversight committee is required to oversee it.
What is it for? Measure AB is intended to fund facility improvements that include, but are not limited to: upgrades for classrooms, labs and equipment, modernizing training facilities, upgrades to technology, repairs for leaky roofs, and ensuring building code compliance.
Who is affected? Property owners in Sonoma County.
What will it cost me? If approved, it will maintain an existing tax rate of $25 per $100,000 of assessed property value. This continues the tax rates from two prior voter-approved bond measures, Measure A (2002) for $251 million in bonds, and Measure H (2014) for $410 million in bonds. Both were intended to fund facility upgrades.
When will it expire? The end of fiscal year 2058-59.
What vote is needed for it to pass? A 55% supermajority voter approval.
Measure H
What is it? A measure to renew an existing 0.125% sales tax and generate approximately $15.5 million annually, until ended by voters
Who is affected? All of Sonoma County.
What is it for? Revenues will be used to protect, maintain, and improve parks of all sizes throughout Petaluma and the entirety of Sonoma County, including regional parks, city parks, and neighborhood parks. This may include water-quality projects, fire-safety measures, trail building, habitat conservation, and more.
What will it cost me? No new taxes or tax increases will occur. The measure extends an existing 0.125% sales tax first approved by voters as Measure M in November 2018 and currently set to expire on March 31, 2029.
What result is needed for it to pass? A two-thirds vote is required to approve the measure.
Measure E
What is it? A $16 million bond measure.
Who is affected? Property owners living in Waugh School District – Corona Creek Elementary and Meadow Elementary.
What is it for? Money will be used to upgrade outdated school facilities. Funds cannot be used for salaries.
What will it cost me? Property owners will pay approximately $30 per $100,000 of assessed property value or $0.03 per $100.
When will it expire? Typically, a bond is active until the principal and interest are fully paid off and spans a period of 25-40 years.
What result is needed for it to pass? A 55% supermajority voter approval.
Measure O
What is it? A $48 million bond measure.
Who is affected? Property owners living in the Old Adobe Union School District – La Tercera Elementary, Sonoma Mountain Elementary, Old Adobe Elementary Charter, Loma Vista Immersion Academy, and Miwok Valley Language Academy Charter.
What is it for? Money will be used to upgrade outdated school facilities. Funds cannot be used for salaries.
What will it cost me? Property owners will pay approximately $25 per $100,000 of assessed property or $0.025 per $100.
When will it expire? Typically, a bond is active until the principal and interest are fully paid off and spans a period of 25-40 years.
What vote is needed for it to pass? A 55% supermajority voter approval.
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