Incorrect Ballots Mailed to Menlo Park Residents

An alert Menlo Park resident discovered an error on the November ballot that the San Mateo County Registrar of Voters will now have to correct.

When Kelly Blythe emailed the county wondering why there weren't any city or school district races or measures on her mail-in ballot, when the website listed the races, he was first told it was because he lives in the Ravenswood City School District.

But when Blythe informed the county that his neighborhood was no longer part of that district, it came as news to the election division. Apparently, an elections official said, the county hadn't recorded the fact that the Pacific Parc area had voted to join the Menlo Park City School District. How that happened is unclear, given that the election to do that occurred in 2011.

Blythe was told Monday that the county would confirm the change with the County Board of Education and then send out new ballots and alert voters regarding the mistake.

"Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention. We will ensure that you and your neighbors vote on the correct ballot," said the email from the county Registration and Elections Division.

Menlo Park residents are considering Measure W, a proposed $23 million bond that is to support education, avoid student overcrowding at existing schools as enrollment continues to increase, and renovate and expand educational facilities at the O'Connor Elementary School site planned to reopen in Menlo Park's Willows neighborhood,.