Opponents of convention center expansion to challenge ballot language

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Opponents of the convention center expansion are hoping to get a superior court judge Tuesday to prevent the registrar of voters from printing the ballot language, which opponents claim is misleading and in violation of state election law.

This is happening just days before the city clerk is scheduled to send ballot materials to the registrar to be printed for the March 3rd primary election.

This is the second legal complaint filed against this initiative’s language which was signed off by City Attorney Mara Elliott. It was filed by a voter from San Diego Alliance who claims, among other issues, the language favors a yes vote.

Another complaint, filed by San Diego Open Government, raises similar issues.

State law requires the language to include the amount of money raised annually and the duration of the tax, which this ballot fails to do. It calls for audits by the independent city auditor, and a citizen’s oversight committee, yet it allows the city to use the money for purposes beyond what the initiative calls for. And, the suit claims the City Council failed to comply with these requirements.