To download the Word version of the Local Ballot Measure Review Form, click here.
To download the pdf version of the Local Ballot Measure Review Form, click here.
LOCAL BALLOT MEASURE REVIEW FORM
Instructions: Sierra Club endorsement of or opposition to a city, county or district ballot measure requires decisions both at the chapter and State level. To request Local Ballot Measure Review Committee approval for a position, please fill out this form and submit it by e-mail, together with a copy of the ballot measure, to all of the individuals listed on the last page of this form.
Members of the review committee will check to see that your proposed action is consistent with Sierra Club policies; you should receive a response from the committee about the review process in about two working days.
Please note that any plan for fund-raising or expenditures by the Sierra Club in connection with a proposition, initiative, or referendum must be separately approved in advance, as described at the end of this form.
Thank you for your work to give the Sierra Club an effective voice,
Eric Parfrey, Chair
Description of Ballot Measure
Today’s Date: ___/___/___ Chapter submitting: _________________
Descriptive Title of ballot measure: ________________________________________
City, County, or Special District involved: _________________________
Election date for vote on measure: ___/___/___
Proposed Position (Check All that Apply):
Support __ Oppose__ Signature Gathering___
Attach, or provide a link for, the full text of the ballot measure.
What vote of the electorate is required to pass?
Majority___ Two-Thirds___ Other (specify)___
If this measure is for renewal of a tax or fee, what position, if any, did the Sierra Club take previously?
Support___ Oppose___ Neutral/None___ Unknown ____
Provide other informational materials such as news articles, the official summary or ballot arguments. If they are not yet available, provide the “pros & cons” that were considered in your Chapter’s consideration.
Approvals by Local Chapters and Groups
Date of Chapter vote: ___/___/___
Chapter Vote on recommendation: Yes: __ No: __ Abstain: __ Absent: __ Recuse: ___
Group or section involved, if any: ______________ Date of vote: ___/___/___
Group or Section Vote: Yes: __ No: __ Abstain: __ Absent: __ Recuse: ___
If two or more people voted “No” describe the basis for dissent - use an attachment if necessary, and include names and contact information for dissenting members.
Does this measure affect any other Chapter (e.g., issues related to air quality, regional transportation plan, etc.)? If so, what consultation has taken place, even if the other Chapter does not have a vote?
Which Sierra Club Policies were reviewed in considering whether to recommend a position?
(Quote relevant parts of the relevant policies below, and use a separate sheet if necessary.)
Support or opposition of local ballot measures must be consistent with the following State and National Club policies.
If your measure is related to growth, read the California Growth Management Policy Guidelines, especially the guidance included in the appendix on which types of growth measures the Club supports and which types it usually opposes. The Growth Management Policy Guidelines is posted online at https://www.sierraclub.org/mother-lode/environmentalissues/PlanningandTransportation.
Other adopted California Conservation Committee policies should be consulted (you can search these policies by subject at https://www.sierraclub.org/california/cnrcc/cnrcc-passed-resolutions).
National Sierra Club Policies are posted at https://www.sierraclub.org/policy. If your measure is related to growth, especially read the recently adopted Urban Infill Policy, posted at https://www.sierraclub.org/policy/urban-land-use-policies.
Also helpful is the lengthy Urban Infill Guidance document adopted in 2021. It is posted at https://www.sierraclub.org/smart-growth-urban-infill. This guidance is advisory only.
Note: If a proposed measure predominantly conforms with State and National Policies but conflicts in some details, it becomes a matter of discretion whether the Sierra Club can support it. For example, we may decide to endorse a transportation ballot
measure that predominantly funds transit that we seek but also includes some highway funding that we oppose that is necessary for political support.
Chapter Campaign Plans and Main Contact
Describe chapter campaign plans and attach samples of proposed publicity regarding the measure (press releases, op-ed articles, ballot arguments, etc.)
Name and contact information for your chapter spokesperson on this measure:
Name(s): _____________________ E-mail: _______________
Phone: ____________________
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Please e-mail this form together with a copy of the ballot measure and all other supporting materials to the below individuals. Any questions or concerns may be addressed to the chair.
Eric Parfrey, Chair parfrey@sbcglobal.net (209) 641-3380
Steve Birdlebough scbaffirm@gmail.com
Nathan Chan chan.nathan.th@gmail.com
Darrell Clarke darrclarke@gmail.com
Chris Gilbert chris@gilbertbiz.com
Felicia Gomez Verdin felicia4oneunitedlacounty@gmail.com
Nick Pilch nicky@mindspring.com
Pat Piras liarslose13@gmail.com
John Rizzo jrizzo@sprintmail.com
Brandon Dawson brandon.dawson@sierraclub.org
Ruth Muzzin rmuzzin@friedmanspring.com
Sierra Club National Compliance Team compliance.review@sierraclub.org
NOTE: Please observe the following requirements if your chapter, group, or section plans to raise or spend money on any local ballot measures!
Election campaign contributions and fundraising (including staff activity) are governed by State and federal regulations. Sierra Club California and all chapters are collectively restricted by tight spending limits and reporting requirements. No Club funding for any local ballot measure may be undertaken without advance authorization by Sierra Club California. Contact Executive Director Brandon Dawson (916-557-1102) or Compliance Officer Ruth Muzzin (505-440-2656) for advice and e-mail all plans for Sierra Club election fundraising or contributions (including staff activity) to them, and to the National Compliance Team.
The chapters and Sierra Club California may not spend $50,000 or more in total Club funds on state/local ballot measures in California this year, or $100,000 or more in any 4-year period. This includes in-kind contributions like staff time. Exceptions to this rule include money spent on member communications; and staff time for people who dedicate less than 10% of their time per month on CA state/local ballot measures.
Form last revised Aug. 8, 2023