Indio residents to vote on extending sales tax measure in November

Indio residents have an election coming up on Nov. 2, 2021. The only item on the Special Election Ballot is Measure E: "City of Indio No Tax Increase Safety/Essential City Services Protection Measure." On July 21, 2021, the Indio City Council unanimously put Measure E on the Special Election Ballot.

"Measure E is an extension of the existing one-cent or 1% sales tax that was approved by voters in 2016. At the time, it was known as Measure X," said the City of Indio's director of communications Brooke Beare.

If Measure E is approved by Indio voters, it would extend the current voter-approved one-cent local sales tax until it's ended by voters. Measure E would not increase taxes or set a new tax. It will only extend the current voter-approved one-cent sales tax measure.

The City of Indio said the local tax dollars are used towards infrastructure needs, 911 emergency response services, clean drinking water, and bridge and overpass needs.

"It's not something where that we're, we're imposing upon them. This is so that we can improve our community," said Indio city council member Glenn Miller. "Do they want to extend it? Do they want to continue to invest back in their community?"

Since Measure X was voted in 2016, the city said the tax has generated more than $49,413,687. Of that total, $29,281,338 has been spent so far because some projects were temporarily halted due to the coronavirus. The city said about 61% of the funds spent have been used to pay for road street and bridge improvements.

"This is one measure we're guaranteed will stay in the city of Indio. Nobody can take it from us," said Miller. "The funding goes directly to the City of Indio to be utilized for any of the projects that the residents want and not defined by whatever the state or any other government agencies want us to do."

• Sept. 29: The Voter Information Guides were sent out to Indio residents
• Oct. 18: Last day to register to vote or change political party preference for the Nov. 2 Special Election Ballot
• Oct. 25: Last day the registrar will accept mailed requests for vote-by-mail ballots
• Nov. 2: Election Day

After Oct. 25, voters need to go to the registrar's office to pick up a vote-by-mail ballot. If you're an Indio resident and you requested a vote-by-mail ballot and did not get it by Oct.25, contact the registrar's office at (951) 486 7200.

Indio City Hall will be a Ballot Drop Off Location during regular business hours. On Election Day, City Hall will be opened from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The City of Indio said social distancing will be required and face masks strongly encouraged.

The City said elections results will be announced between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on election night.

Click here to register to vote. If you need to verify your voter registration, click here.