Watsonville Patch 2012 Election Guide

Election Day is fast approaching, so here’s what you need to know before you begin to fill out your ballot on Nov. 6.

Aside from choosing between another four years with Democratic incumbent Barack Obama, or electing Republican challenger Mitt Romney as the next new president, California voters have a long list of local representatives and measures to choose from.

Here is all of Watsonville Patch's election coverage.

With 11 state measures on a crowded ballot, the propositions with the most attention are Proposition 30 and 38, both proposing increased funding for education through higher taxes.

Click here for information on where your polling place is, and check back with Watsonville Patch on Election Day for all-day coverage and results.

President/Vice President

Barack Obama/Joseph Biden, Democratic

Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan, Republican

Third Party Presidential Candidates

Jill Stein/Cheri Honkala, Green

Jerry White/Phyllis Scherrer (Write-In)

Ross C. "Rocky" Anderson/Luis J. Rodriguez (Write-In)

Roseanne Barr/Cindy Sheehan, Peace and Freedom

Sheila "Samm" Tittle/Matthew Allen Turner (Write-In)

Gary Johnson/James P. Gray, Libertarian

Ron Paul/Andrew Napolitano (Write-In)

Thomas Hoefling/Robert Ornelas, American Independent

Virgil Goode/James Clymer (Write-In)

Stewart Alexander/Alex Mendoza (Write-In)

James Harris/Alyson Kennedy (Write-In)

Stephen Durham/Christina Lopez (Write-In)

United States Senator

Incubment Diane Feinstein, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Elizabeth Emken are vying for the seat.

United States Congress, District 20

Democratic incumbent Sam Farr is up against Jeff Taylor, a Republican rancher, to represent the Central Coast. 

Here are some videos, courtesy CMAP.tv in Gilroy, of the candidates talking about the issues:

• Jeff Taylor on Immigration
• Sam Farr on Immigration
• Taylor on Prop. 37
• Farr on Prop. 37

State Senate, District 17

Bill Monning and Larry Beaman are squaring off.

State Assembly, District 30

Democratic incumbent Luis Alejo is defending his seat from Republican challenger Rob Bernosky.

Watsonville City Council

Four candidates for city council are running unopposed for their respective seats.

Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees

There are two contested races for the PVUSD school board.

Elsa Nunez is challenging incumbent Karen Osmundson for the Area 3 seat, which represents North Monterey County.

Former Watsonville Mayor Antonio Rivas is making his first run for school board against newcomer Maria Orozco, a recent Santa Clara University graduate, in the race for Area 6 representative.

Statewide Ballot Measures

California voters will decide on 11 propositions. Check out Patch’s California Proposition Voter Guide for details on each of the propositions.

Coverage of Ballot Measures

Video: Should Voters Repeal the Death Penalty?

Video: Prop. 36 Changes 'Three Strikes' Law

When you support Proposition 30 you support Cabrillo College

Blog: Another Pop Quiz on Proposition 38

Survey: Biologists Say 'No' on GMO Labels Proposition 37

Santa Cruz County Measures

Measure N—The County Transient Occupancy Tax Measure would add 1.5 percent to the transient occupancy tax rate. Revenue would fund police, fire, emergency services, health services, parks and recreation, economic development, job creation, and other essential county services.

Watsonville-Area Measures

Measure L—Pajaro Valley Unified School District Bond Measure would fund facility repairs and upgrades at all PVUSD schools. People are split on the measure, with retirees and those living on a fixed income against the bond while parents and teachers are supportive. If approved, the bond will add about $38 per $100,000 of assessed home value to property owners' taxes.

Measure R—City of Watsonville Mobile Home Parks Rent Control Fee. City residents will vote on whether those living in mobile homes will pay more into a legal fund reserved for defending rent control for Watsonville's 955 mobile homes. The measure increases the monthly payment from $1 to $5. Mobile home residents want the increase, but it's up to a vote of everyone in the city.