The West Contra Costa group held a special election because nobody was elected to fill the positions for the two-year terms that expired at the end of 2015. The group will also participate in the regularly scheduled chapter-wide fall election to fill the three terms that expire at the end of 2016. Voting for this election is now closed.
Election Results:
- Gabe Quinto - 62 votes (elected)
- Eduardo Martinez - 61 votes (elected)
- Charles Davidson - 28 votes
Special Election Calendar
- April 25 – Last date for candidates to submit an application, statement, and picture. For details on how to do this see How to Become a Candidate below.
- May 23 – Ballots are mailed as an insert to the Yodeler and online voting starts.
- July 1 – Last date for ballots to be received by mail or submitted online.
- July 2 – Elections Committee counts ballots counted and contacts candidates with election results.
- July 25 – Group Executive Committee certifies the election and the winning candidates take their seats.
Candidate Statements
Read candidate statements here.
Voting Instructions
Who is eligible to vote?
All members of the Sierra Club’s West Contra Costa County Group are eligible to vote in this special election. A map with approximate group boundaries can be found here. All West Contra Costa County Group members will receive a ballot in their June-July print Yodeler newsletter. If you’re not sure what group you’re a member of, call the chapter office at (510)848-0800.
Where do I get my ballot?
In late May, members of the Sierra Club who are part of the West Contra Costa County Group will receive a paper ballot in the June-July issue of the Yodeler, the Chapter's print newspaper. You may choose to vote with that paper ballot or online.
If we receive both electronic and paper ballots for the same membership number, only the electronic ballot will be counted. Instructions for correctly submitting your paper ballot are included with the Yodeler election supplement.
When can I vote?
The Chapter election opens on May 23rd. All ballots must be submitted by 2 pm on Friday, July 1st.
What is my membership number?
You can find your eight-digit membership number on your membership card or on the mailing label of your print Yodeler newsletter. If you don't have a Yodeler on hand, your membership number is also printed on the mailing label of your Sierra magazine — instructions for finding it are here. If you're still not sure what your member number is, contact the Sierra Club membership office at (415)977-5653 or membership.services@sierraclub.org.
What if I have a Joint membership?
Both members in a Joint membership can vote, but both members must vote in the same medium (either paper or electronic ballot). The mailing label on your print Yodeler newsletter will indicate whether your household has a single ("SNGL") or joint ("JNT") membership. If you need help finding out if you have a single or joint membership, contact the Sierra Club membership office at (415)977-5653 or membership.services@sierraclub.org.
What counts as a “spoiled” ballot?
Your ballot will be considered spoiled and will not be counted if:
- You vote for more than two candidates;
- Your paper ballot is illegible; or
- You have already cast your ballot (only your first ballot will be counted; for Joint membership voting rules, see above).
What if I still have questions?
If you have any questions, contact the Chapter office at (510)848-0800 between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 10 am to 2 pm on Fridays, or email the Elections Committee at elections@sfbaysc.org.
More information about the election
What does a Group ExCom member do?
Group ExComs are the decision-making boards for the Sierra Club at the most local level. ExCom members oversee essential Club functions, such as: deciding conservation policy; endorsing political candidates; identifying potential local conservation partners; and bringing members together for activities
All group ExCom members attend monthly meetings, generally on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
One member is the group representative to the chapter ExCom, and another is the alternate. The group representative is a voting member of the chapter ExCom and attends the chapter ExCom meetings on the second Monday of the month. The alternate representative attends when the regular representative is not available.
One member is the group representative to the Political Committee. The group representative is a voting member and attends the Political Committee meetings on the first Monday of the month.
The group ExCom as a whole manages the endorsement process for candidates in races within West Contra Costa and collaborates with other groups for state assembly, senate, and special districts that include the West Contra Costa area.
Non-elected positions within the group
There are group roles and activities that ExCom members often take on, but they are also available to other Sierra Club members.
The ExCom can authorize members to represent the Sierra Club by writing letters and providing comments and testimony on local issues. The statements must be consistent with national and chapter positions and generally are made after discussion and approval by the group ExCom.
The Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer fulfill the tasks generally associated with those offices.
At present the group only very occasionally hosts general membership meetings and outings. The group would like to do more of this and would like to have an ExCom member or other local Sierra Club member organize such events.
For More Information
With questions about this election, email westcoco@sfbaysc.org.
See also West Contra Costa County Group Bylaws.