Erik Chalhoub here. October begins tomorrow, but the spooky season has already started—and I’m not talking about Halloween.
Ballots for the November election will be mailed to voters beginning on Oct. 1. Election season, when we get bombarded with political ads, is even more exhausting than the holidays. It’s no secret that it gets nasty, especially at the national level.
That ugliness can ooze down to the local level. Marina is no exception.
Measure Q is the hot button issue in Marina this election cycle. The Marina City Council put this 7-percent utility users tax on the ballot to help fund new police and fire stations as well as a city hall. Opponents, meanwhile, say the tax percentage is too high, and is a general tax, meaning it can be used for any purpose, not just for new facilities.
No matter your stance, the beauty of American democracy is that you are allowed to express your feelings on the measure thanks to the First Amendment, whether or not all agree. When some try to stifle those opinions, it is a direct attack on free speech.
Over the past week, supporters of Measure Q have reported their “Yes on Q” signs being stolen from their yards. Ripping out political signs without permission is a misdemeanor offense, so supporters have filed multiple police reports. More signs in prominent areas of Marina have been vandalized with derogatory language directed at council members. Council and mayoral candidates have also said their campaign signs have been stolen.
Stolen campaign signs during election season is nothing new. Abusive language toward candidates, especially on social media, is also commonplace every cycle. But something feels different this time, says Mayor Bruce Delgado.
Delgado hosted a gathering outside of Marina City Hall today, Sept. 30, joining candidates for mayor and council, as well as all current council members, with the message that Marina must not tolerate these actions.
“No matter who you support, a healthy democracy thrives on fairness and mutual respect,” he said. “We’re asking all residents, volunteers and supporters to commit to campaign civility. Be good to each other, respect property, and don’t touch, deface or steal campaign signs.”
Delgado asked candidates and council members to sign a “Statement on Civility, Property Rights and Free Elections,” which condemns “any illegal, unethical or intimidating behavior connected to local election campaigns.”
“Marina has always been a community that can, and should, disagree passionately while treating one another with respect,” the statement reads. “Differences of opinion are part of democracy. Intimidation, vandalism, theft, and personal attacks are not.”
In the United States of America in the year 2026, fighting for civility in elections is a worthy cause. It just might be too late.