San Diego County voters face two ballot measures on Nov. 3 that a Rancho Bernardo resident and the San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board say use misleading language to obscure what they actually do.

Harvey Levine, a retired project management consultant, wrote in a San Diego Union-Tribune column published Wednesday, Oct. 14, that this year's voter information materials "tend to be extremely deceptive and loaded with half-truths." He singled out two county measures heading to the Nov. 3 ballot.

Measure A: term limits and charter reform

Measure A would let county supervisors serve three four-year terms instead of the current two-term maximum, according to KPBS. It would also create a new budget analyst, program auditor and ethics commission, and give supervisors power to confirm and remove some senior county staff.

Levine argued the term-limit extension is "buried" inside the broader charter reform package. He wrote that the measure "neglects to point out that the two-term limit just recently replaced a no-limit statute" and that, if approved, the change would apply to sitting supervisors.

KPBS reported that supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Joel Anderson would no longer be termed out of office in 2028 if the measure passes. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in May to place the charter reform package on the November ballot. San Diego County voters created the current two-term limit in 2010, replacing a system with no term limits.

The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board, in a Thursday, Oct. 8, endorsement opposing both measures, wrote that the ballot language "creates the impression that the ballot measure 'set' supervisor term limits when it actually weakens them by allowing board members to seek a third term."

Measure B: half-cent sales tax

Measure B would raise the countywide sales tax rate from 7.75% to 8.25%, generating an estimated $400 million to $450 million a year, according to Voice of San Diego. The measure needs only a simple majority to pass, the Union-Tribune reported.

The Measure B campaign says the revenue would fund health care programs, Tijuana River sewage cleanup, wildfire prevention and child care. Levine questioned whether voters should approve "an open-ended, no sunset clause tax increase for a short-term federal funding policy."

The tax has no expiration date. Voice of San Diego reported that if voters approve Measure B, the county would collect the additional sales tax in perpetuity. Measure B campaign manager Alex Wilcox told Voice of San Diego that a sunset clause "would be counterproductive" because the measure targets long-term problems.

SEIU Local 221 and Teamsters Local 986 included clauses in their latest labor deals triggering reopened pay negotiations if voters approve a measure that generates revenue for the county's general fund in 2026, Voice of San Diego reported.

Where to find nonpartisan information

Levine urged voters to consult the state's Official Voter Information Guide and the League of Women Voters of San Diego's Easy Voter Guide at LWVSanDiego.org. The League makes nonpartisan recommendations on ballot measures and has posted reviews of both county measures.

The voter registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 19. Election Day is Nov. 3.