El Cerrito Measure C failing despite powerhouse endorsements

El Cerrito‘s Measure C appeared headed for a resounding defeat in the June 2 election, despite having a list of endorsements that reads like a who’s who of El Cerrito politics.

The results as of 12:46 AM June 3 showed 72% voting no and 28% voting yes, with 5,307 votes cast. Final totals could take weeks. (In November 2024, a total of 14,476 ballots were cast on a successful sales tax extension.)

The measure received endorsements from four out of the five current council members - Carolyn Wysinger, Gabe Quinto, Rebecca Saltzman, and Lisa Motoyama - as well as many former ones.

It was also endorsed by Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, State Senator Jesse Arreguin, the El Cerrito Democratic Club, the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, the Central Labor Council of Contra Costa County, school board member Leslie Reckler and former school board member Tom Panas.

The measure was placed on the ballot through the collection of signatures under what’s called a citizens initiative, which means it would have only required one vote beyond 50% to pass. The campaign was spearheaded by former city councilmember Greg Lyman.

Supporters of the measure stressed the age of the current library and its small size, pointing to larger and newer facilities in other communities. According to the city website, the library was built in 1948 and expanded in 1960 and is 6,500 square feet. Signs supporting the measure read simply, “Yes on C; El Cerrito Library.”

But opposition to the tax measure mounted early and grew intense long before voters received their ballots. The committee calling itself “Neighbors for a Better El Cerrito” was led by relative unknowns in El Cerrito politics. The official argument opposing the measure is signed by Justin Chang and Wally Nowinski, who also signed the rebuttal to the yes argument. Another key organizer was Barbara Chan.

The most recognizable name on the No endorsement list is former city council member Gina Brusatori, one of the most active “canvassers” who went door-to-door telling voters why she opposed the measure. Brusatori is quoted prominently on the No website saying, “I’ve met hundreds of neighbors expressing distrust and dismay about city financial mismanagement, and this excessive library tax only makes things worse.”

Also on the opposition list is former council member Kathie Perka.

Opposing signs, which read “Library tax is a bad deal for El Cerrito,” began appearing even before the measure was placed on the ballot and assigned the name Measure C. Discussion on NextDoor was intense, heavily favoring the no side. Both sides mailed campaign material to El Cerrito voters, left fliers on doorsteps, appealed to neighbors, and handed out material at a variety of locations around town including stores and schools. Both proponents and opponents spoke at City Council meetings.

Such strong organized opposition to a ballot measure is a rarity in El Cerrito. Just last November El Cerrito renewed a one cent sales tax with 81% yes votes.

Some opposition came from residents who have been concerned about city’s finances since at least 2021, when the state issued “City of El Cerrito: Excessive Spending and Insufficient Efforts to Address Its Perilous Financial Condition Jeopardize the City's Ongoing Fiscal Viability.” Others are unhappy with the city’s plan to place the library in a yet-to-be-built apartment building at the El Cerrito Plaza BART station.

Others were concerned about just how expensive the tax would be, particularly given that it would be earmarked only for a library and not address other city needs such as replacing the public safety building and repairing the community center.

The election received limited newspaper coverage, and neither the East Bay Times nor the San Francisco Chronicle took a position on the measure. The East Bay Times did print pro and con commentaries and letters to the editor. The race has been covered closely by Livable El Cerrito.

El Cerrito Wire has taken a position against the measure since July 2025.

Yes on C endorsements:

https://www.anewelcerritolibrary.com/endorsements

No on C endorsements:

https://nomoreforevertax.org/supporters/

Measure C documents on the city website:

https://www.elcerrito.gov/1753/June-2026-Ballot-Measure-C

Information about the El Cerrito library and plans to place it at the Plaza BART station on the city website:

https://www.el-cerrito.org/library

Campaign disclosure statements:

http://www.elcerrito.gov/215/Campaign-Disclosure

Livable El Cerrito