On May 29th, community members involved with the Right to Vote on Desal petition drive rallied at City Hall and turned in 2,003 petitions with the signatures of 8,717 Santa Cruz water citizens to the City Clerk, who now has 30 days to complete the signature verification process. 5,500 verified signatures is the requirement to move forward, which is 15% of registered city voters, and if that number is reached, citizens will have a chance to decide if construction of the proposed desalination plant will proceed.

Community members gathered signatures starting in February of this year, and coalition members supporting the Right to Vote on Desal include Santa Cruz Desal Alternatives, The Surfrider Foundation, Santa Cruz Branch of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Peak Water, The Sierra Club, Save The Waves Coalition, and the Surfers’ Environmental Alliance.

Read More, View Photos and Video | Previous Coverage: Petition Turn-in Rally for Right To Vote On Desalination in Santa Cruz | Campaign Kicks Off for Voters' Right to Decide on Desalination in Santa Cruz | Invitation-Only Meeting Held to Promote a Desalination Plant in Santa Cruz