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Voters to decide library tax, school board seats
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While many municipalities and school districts have recently moved their elections to an even-year schedule in an effort to save the taxpayers money while also increasing voter turnout, there are still key seats on the ballot for Tuesday’s election, and one measure that will chart the future the county’s libraries.

Everyone in Stanislaus County will see Measure S on their ballots. If approved, the measure would continue an existing one-eighth cent sales tax to fund library services throughout the county.

If two-thirds of voters approve of Measure S, the library sales tax would extend for another 12 years, effective July 1, 2018. An oversight committee is in place to see that the money raised is used appropriately. It is anticipated to generate $10 million annually for the libraries in Stanislaus County, which is approximately 80 percent of the library’s yearly budget.

The election will feature races for the Stanislaus County Board of Education Area 5, Chatom Union School District Area 2 and Denair Unified School District, which all have more candidates than seats.

Patterson resident Chinyere Nnodim Jack and Juan Pablo Vazquez of Ceres are both vying for a spot on the Stanislaus County Board of Education.

In Area 2 of Chatom Unified, Turlock teacher Rodney Machado and dairyman Ryan Blount will face off during the election.

In Denair, four candidates are in the race for two school board seats: Merced County teacher Crystal Sousa, retired custodian Charles Asbill, self-employed businesswoman Tina Gresio and retired Turlock Unified School District employee Reggie Gomes.

Individual polling place locations are printed on the back cover of the sample ballot booklets sent out in October. Also, poll locations are available at stanvote.com or by calling 209-525-5200. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.