Deadline nears for hospital bond vote (MODESTO) (Vernon's Sister City)

By LESLIE ALBRECHT Modesto Bee

Ballot fatigue doesn't seem to be keeping Oak Valley Hospital District voters away from the mail-in election on Measure Q. The $27 million hospital bond measure will be eastern Stanislaus County voters' fourth election of the year, but participation is relatively high. At noon Friday, the Stanislaus County elections office had received 7,750 ballots for Measure Q, said County Clerk Lee Lundrigan. That's about 18 percent more than the number of voters who weighed in on an identical measure in April. That effort, Measure O, failed by less than 1 percent. The deadline to return ballots is 8 p.m. Tuesday. Mailed ballots must be received by the election office by that deadline or voters can hand deliver votes to drop-off locations in Waterford, Oakdale and Modesto. Measure Q would raise $27 million toward replacing 35-year-old Oak Valley Hospital. Supporters say a new hospital would reduce emergency room waits and attract better doctors to the area. The bond would add $12.13 per $100,000 of assessed value to property tax bills for 30 years. Homeowners are paying for a $37 million hospital bond approved in 2004.