By Jorge Casuso

October 7, 2024 -- The LA County Registrar has erroneously included separate bond measures for Santa Monica and Malibu on the November 5 ballots for both cities, School District officials said Monday.

The announcement comes the day mail-in ballots were sent to County voters that included both Measure QS, a $495 million bond for Santa Monica, and Measure MM, a $395 million bond for Malibu.

"While voters may vote on both measures appearing on the ballot, the election for each measure will be determined by the voters in each area," District officials said in "an important notice to voters."

"Measure QS will be decided by the votes of Santa Monica voters. Measure MM will be decided by the votes of Malibu voters."

The School Board specified that the two bond measures "are separate and distinct" and directed that "each measure appear on the ballot for one area or the other area, but not both," officials said.

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) informed the District that both bond measures were "erroneously" included by the County on all ballots and took "full responsibility for this error."

"Although we cannot modify the voting materials at this stage, we will ensure that only votes cast by eligible voters within the defined SFID boundaries are reported and certified," the Registrar wrote.

"The election results will not include votes from outside these specific areas.”

The Registrar added that “notifications to voters are being prepared and distributed to explain the situation and the corrective actions taken."

District officials said they are in communication with the RR/CC "to make sure the County puts in place all processes and safeguards to ensure that voters have appropriate information and the ability to vote on either (measure) with the votes tallied accordingly."

“We are seeking a clear and clean vote on our two bond measures,” said SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton. “The democratic voting process is the foundation of our freedoms and the County Registrar is assuring us that the vote will count in your area of eligibility."

In 2018, the School District created two improvement / voting areas -- School Facilities Improvement District No. 1 in Santa Monica and District No. 2 in Malibu.

The School Board voted unanimously on June 20 to prepare two bond measures totaling $890 million for the November 5 ballot ("School Board Votes to Prepare Bonds for November Ballot," June 26, 2024).

The bonds -- which must be approved by 55 percent of the voters in each ciy -- provide funds to modernize District schools.

Measure QS was placed on the Santa Monica ballot six years after Measure SMS -- a record $485 million bond to upgrade and replace outdated facilities -- passed in November 2018 with some 72 percent of the vote.

Voters with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the RR/CC at 800-815-2666.”