Making Sense of Your Ballot
June Primary Splits the East Bay: Sparse Ballots in Oakland, Packed Contests in South County; Oakland City Council levies major fine against property owners who removed 38 trees
☕️MORNING BUZZ
Vol. VI, No. 1,262
🗓️27 days to June 2 Primary
—Primary elections are often a prelude to a more robust November ballot, but this June, the level of activity varies sharply across Alameda County. Voters in Oakland and Berkeley, for example, face a relatively light ballot, while Hayward and Tri-City voters have much to decide over the next few weeks.
Oakland’s Main Question: Measure E
In Oakland, the central issue is Measure E, a $192 parcel tax expected to generate about $35 million annually to address persistent budget deficits. Oakland voters have historically supported tax increases, and Measure E is widely expected to pass. The more revealing question is whether support barely clears the threshold and signals growing resistance to new taxes.
DA Appointment Put to Voters
Voters will also weigh in on whether to uphold the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ appointment of Ursula Jones Dickson as district attorney. She replaced Pamela Price, who was recalled in 2024 by 63 percent of countywide voters. While Oakland and Berkeley were once strongholds for Price, the recall exposed shifting political dynamics. Outside those cities, dissatisfaction with Price’s tenure remains fresh.
Limited Judicial Contests
Only two Alameda County Superior Court seats are on the ballot. Michael Johnson faces Cabral Bonner for Office 13. Johnson previously ran unsuccessfully for the bench in 2022. In Office 19, Selia Warren—currently with the Oakland City Attorney’s Office—competes against Patricia Miles. Warren has built a strong base of endorsements and fundraising support.
—For voters seeking a more crowded ballot, Hayward and the Tri-City area offer the most action. Residents there could cast up to four votes for Congress between June and November in the 14th District.
The Four-Vote Congressional Cycle
Following the resignation of Rep. Eric Swalwell, a 10-candidate field—including Democrats Aisha Wahab, Melissa Hernandez, Rakhi Israni, and Matt Ortega—will appear on two separate ballots.
The June 2 primary determines the top two candidates for a full two-year term beginning in January. A second ballot, due June 16, will decide who finishes Swalwell’s current term through December.
Here’s where it gets complicated: the June 2 primary sends the top two finishers to a November runoff. The June 16 special primary requires a candidate to win more than 50 percent to avoid an Aug. 18 runoff. As a result, voters could cast up to four congressional votes between June 2 and Nov. 4.
Wahab is widely seen as the likely first-place finisher in both races, but the crowded field makes it unlikely she secures an outright majority in the special election.
Up-For-Grabs State Senate Race
The same voters will also choose a new state senator in the 10th District. The five Democratic candidates—David Cohen, Anne Kepner, Scott Sakakihara, Raymond Liu, and Carmen Montano—are considered competitive and relatively evenly matched. However, recent fundraising and independent expenditures could begin to separate the field in the next few weeks. Republican Linda Price, the lone GOP candidate, has maintained a low profile but could still disrupt the race. If Democratic support fragments, she could consolidate Republican voters and secure a spot in the top two.
Supervisor and School Board Races
In the same region, Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez is seeking re-election against BART Director Liz Ames, though Ames has shown limited campaign activity and only recently began fundraising. On the education front, Alameda County Superintendent Alysse Castro is running unopposed. Two Board of Education seats are also on the ballot. Trustee Aisha Knowles faces three challengers in a race covering the unincorporated areas, while Trustee Cheryl Cook-Kallio is seeking another four-year term representing the Tri-Valley.
Full Slate of Local Measures
Voters will also consider eight local ballot measures. Four are parcel taxes, including Oakland’s Measure E. Hayward Unified School District’s Measure G proposes a $98 parcel tax, while Piedmont Unified School District’s Measure H seeks renewal of its $3,142 parcel tax.
The Peralta Community College District’s Measure A would levy a $48 parcel tax across Alameda, Oakland, and Berkeley. Meanwhile, Castro Valley Unified School District’s Measure B asks voters to approve a $212 million infrastructure bond.
Elsewhere, San Leandro’s Measure F would transition the city to district-based elections ahead of November’s mayoral and council races. Oakland’s Measure C proposes a one-year business tax exemption for small businesses with less than $1 million in annual gross receipts.
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⊕MORE INSIDE
CITY NEWS: Oakland City Council slaps $915K fine in illegal tree-cutting case, perhaps signaling end to ‘Anything Goes’ era.
Pleasanton police officers are set to receive new three-year contract.
Alameda City Council clears path for Beaudin as next city manager.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Form 497 large campaign contributions filed on May 5:
