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Have you voted? The November 5 General Election is right around the corner and ballots have been mailed to all registered voters.
Marin residents have many options to cast their ballot:
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Mail your completed ballot to the Marin County Elections Department in the postage-paid envelope provided. Make sure it is mailed with enough time to be postmarked on or before Election Day.
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Vote in person through November 5 at vote centers throughout the county. On Election Day vote centers will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
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The last day to register to vote by mail or online has passed, however you may still register to vote and receive a provisional ballot at any vote center or at the Elections Department Office at the Civic Center through election day.
Did you know that you can track your ballot and get notifications when it is mailed, received, and counted? Sign up online with BallotTrax. Once you sign up you will receive notifications for this election as well as future elections.
For more information about the upcoming election or questions regarding your ballot, visit the Marin County Elections Website or call the elections office at 415-473-6456.
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SMART continues to have exciting news to share! In addition to continuing record ridership numbers month after month, SMART has received critical funding to extend both the rail line and the bicycle and pedestrian pathway to Healdsburg, as well as funding to complete two critical sections of the bicycle and pedestrian pathway in Novato and Santa Rosa.
Headed to Healdsburg
This month SMART received $81 million from the State of California to extend the rail line and corresponding bicycle and pedestrian pathway to Healdsburg. This funding is being matched by $188 million in other secured and pending Federal, State, Regional and local funds. If there are no delays, SMART expects the extension to Healdsburg to be completed in 2028.
This $81 million award brings us closer than ever to fulfilling the vision that voters had when they approved the SMART rail and pathway project. Extending rail service into our northern communities of Healdsburg and the Alexander Valley will connect people to jobs, recreation, and exciting local tourism opportunities.
The extension will provide a sustainable alternative to car travel by expanding passenger rail service. The new rail infrastructure will also support short-line freight services, enhancing the region's overall connectivity.
SMART’s northern extension includes not only expanding passenger rail service but also completes critical segments of the SMART pathway, also known as the Foss Creek Pathway within the City of Healdsburg and the Great Redwood Trail. This pathway will connect segments of path opening soon as part of the SMART Windsor extension to the completed Foss Creek Pathway in Healdsburg.
Pathway Progress
SMART received two additional grants to complete two important segments of our bike and pedestrian pathways in Novato and Santa Rosa.
The Transportation Authority of Marin allocated $4.7 million in Regional Measure 3 funds to SMART to construct 0.4 miles of Class I paved pathway in Novato between Hanna Ranch Road and Rowland Boulevard/Vintage Way South. This segment will close a gap between two existing pathway segments and fulfill a critical link in the North-South Greenway pathway network in Marin. Elements of the pathway project include a bridge and retaining walls over a wetland.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program awarded SMART $7 million to fund the completion of a pathway segment from Santa Rosa to the Sonoma County Airport, closing a 4.73-mile gap. Construction of this pathway segment completes 21 miles of the Class I multiuse pathway connecting communities from the Town of Windsor to the City of Petaluma.
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On October 15, 2024, the Marin County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence is a critical issue in Marin, undermining the well-being of families and communities, with one in four women and one in ten men experiencing violence by an intimate partner.
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I want to highlight a valued partner we are fortunate to have here in Marin: Center for Domestic Peace (C4DP). C4DP leads a comprehensive community effort to raise awareness, provide support and resources, and ultimately end domestic violence. I had an opportunity recently to meet with their new Executive Director, Tara Peterson, and was impressed and heartened by the breadth of their services and programs.
C4DP’s mission is to mobilize individuals and communities to transform our world so that domestic violence no longer exists, creating greater safety and justice. Annually C4DP’s hotline provides support to more than 8,000 calls. Their safety net services assist more than 2,000 individuals impacted by domestic violence through their hotline, shelter, transitional housing, legal systems advocacy, case management, prevention, and mental health services. Since its founding in 1977, C4DP has responded to the needs of more than 215,000 women victimized by domestic violence and their children, as well as more than 30,000 men who have been abusive in their relationships.
If you would like to learn more, visit the C4DP website. If you are experiencing domestic violence or know of someone who is, C4DP’s 24-hour bilingual hotline number is 415-924-6616.
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The County is currently accepting applications for the Countywide Priority Setting Committee. Five seats are available for community members who are members of a racial or ethnic minority, people with disabilities, and/or people who represent these interests. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 PM on November 4.
The Countywide Priority Setting Committee helps guide funding for affordable housing and community services in Marin County. Specifically, the committee is involved in establishing priorities for the distribution of funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the CA Department of Housing and Community Development, as well as reviewing applications and making funding recommendations to local nonprofits and public agencies.
The Countywide Priority Setting Committee is comprised of 18 members (11 elected officials and 7 community members). As Chair of this committee, I can attest to the value that our community members add. I look forward to the possibility of working with you!
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The County of Marin is developing its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan which prioritizes county specific needs to address the use of over $2 million in annual grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME).
These federal funds are distributed to eligible projects sponsored by local nonprofits and public agencies. In the past, they have been used for housing, community facilities, and public services for low and moderate-income households.
An important part of developing this plan is hearing from community members about the housing and community needs they see in Marin. Please share your input by taking a brief survey – available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The survey will remain open until October 31.
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Last month’s Marin Senior Fair was a huge success and highlighted many valuable resources for our adult community and their caregivers. A big take-away from the event was that we have a very vibrant and engaged senior population in Marin!
I want to share a few services that Marin’s Health & Human Services Aging & Adult Services (Area Agency on Aging) is funding to address the needs of older adults in Marin County. Please click on the links below to learn more:
Another program I want to highlight is the Emeritus Students College of Marin (ESCOM) - a pioneer provider of lifelong learning in Marin County. ESCOM has been offering engaging programs for active adults that connect, educate, and entertain for over 50 years. ESCOM provides a rich variety of free interactive clubs, interesting monthly talks, and events for their members (both online and in person). Visit the ESCOM website to learn more and/or to join ESCOM.
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As your Supervisor, I welcome and encourage you to connect, share your concerns, and your ideas. We want to hear from you! Please use the contact information below to reach out to the District 5 Team. A reply to this email doesn’t come directly to my office, and I’d like to respond to you in a timely manner.
**Please note, our email addresses have changed**
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