Voters can go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3 for Election Day or turn in ballots early at drop box stations. Mail in ballots are also accepted and there are some races of note locally.

There are four candidates for three available four-year terms on the Escalon City Council.

Incumbents Jeremy Engle, Andy Hagan and Malinda Walker are all running for re-election; challenger Jason Perruquet is in his first run for public office. The three candidates receiving the most votes will win the seats.

Also on the ballot is Measure U, a $26 million bond issue offered by the Escalon Unified School District.

Measure U, district officials said, is a school facilities bond measure on the ballot seeking voter authorization for Escalon Unified School District’s funding plan to make needed facility repairs, replace failing infrastructure, and upgrade career technical facilities.

The cost would be about $18 a year for every $100,000 of assessed home value while bonds are outstanding. The typical homeowner in the school district will pay about $66 a year, or $5.50 a month, district officials said.

By law, Measure U funds must be dedicated to EUSD schools only and taxpayer protections are required. There would be an independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee, mandatory independent audits, and annual reports made to the community.

Funds cannot go to salaries or pensions. None of the money can be used for administrator or employee salaries, benefits, or pensions.

District officials added that it has been over 14 years since the last community-supported school facilities bond. Aging infrastructure is breaking down, resulting in gas leaks, water leaks, and sewage backups. Last year there were 25 roof leaks. The District has over $47 million in unmet facility needs. If approved by voters, Measure U provides funding to begin addressing these identified needs.

According to information from the district, Measure U would:

Repair or replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, gas lines, sewer lines, HVAC and electrical systems;

Provide modern labs and career technical facilities and equipment so students are prepared for college and careers in fire science, health science/EMT, agricultural mechanics, and other skilled trades;

Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes, where encountered;

Replace aging portable classrooms at El Portal Middle School that are expensive to repair and replace with permanent classrooms;

Upgrade older schools so they meet current health codes, building safety codes, and provide proper access for students with disabilities;

Improve student safety and campus security;

Measure U requires 55% voter support to pass. A ‘Yes’ vote approves funding for the District’s plan; a ‘No’ vote rejects the plan.

There are also three seats open on the school district board; incumbent Kate Powell is unopposed in Area 2; Travis Cardoza, who was appointed to fill a vacancy, is unopposed in his bid for a full term in Area 5; and Chelsea Beam is running unopposed in Area 1.

Three candidates are also unopposed in their run for the Escalon Consolidated Fire Protection District Board; all are incumbents and include Joe Camara, Zach Hogan and Mickey Schilber.

David Ross is the incumbent running unopposed for District 1 in the South San Joaquin Irrigation District and for the Farmington Fire Rural County Protection District, Mark Foster Sr., Jacob Samuel and Christopher Lemos are all unopposed.

For those that want to fill out their ballot ahead of the Nov. 3 date, they can be dropped off locally at Escalon City Hall, 2060 McHenry Ave., Escalon or Circle K in Farmington, 4469 South Escalon-Bellota Road.