Welcome, Volunteers.
To get started: If you haven’t done so yet, sign up on this page then fill out this form and email back to savedowntownmenlo@gmail.com
The Basics
Campaign HQ is the Draeger’s conference room on the 2nd Floor (aka the Cooking School.)
Get your petition packet from HQ, write your name on the bottom margin of the first page. Each petition has 33 signatures slots. Take as many as you think you’ll need for the remainder of the calendar month. (There is a different petition for each month.) Also, grab a clipboard (with pictures on the back), pens and buttons, and bookmarks to give to people who want more info or if you think they might donate.
See below for instructions on canvassing or tabling.
When you’ve completed a packet, or it’s the end of the month, fill out the declaration form in the box on the bottom of the last page (put “Menlo Park” for the place of signing), and turn it in to HQ in the green folder. Then grab more petitions as needed.
And here are some docs you can print out:
The Initiative Itself (Read the Title and Summary)
Q&A (For your information, but do not to debate people.)
Canvassing
Just use the form below to tell us what area you’d like to cover, and we’ll send you a list of registered voters ordered by street address, so you can go door-to-door. First, check this map to see which areas have already been claimed.
You will receive a list of names and addresses for your area to canvas. As you go, mark each address with a check mark ✔️ for those who sign the ballot form, an X for those who decline to sign, and NA to indicate the person was not available. You can then return later to the NA’s. It’s going to take a few passes to reach most people
When you fill up your sheet (or you reach the end of the calendar month), fill out the disclaimer box at the bottom of the last page (put “Menlo Park” for the place of signing) and return it to the green folder in the 2nd floor conference room at Draeger’s, where you can also pick up new sheets.
Table A
Wed. July 15, 4-7pm - Draeger’s
Thurs. July 16, 5-7pm - Dutch Goose
Friday, July 17, 11am-1pm - Menalto - near Cafe Zoe
Saturday, 10am-1pm - Outside BBC / Cafe Borrone
Sunday, 10am-noon - Farmer’s Market
Schedule your Table Shifts!
Table B
This table is kept in the Ace Hardware storage room. You’ll need to set up if it’s not already set up. You’ll need to put away if someone is not taking over for you. Contact Alex, Van, or Rich if you need to learn how.
Ballot Initiative Title & Summary
INITIATIVE MEASURE TO BE DIRECTLY SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS
The Menlo Park City Attorney has prepared the following title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed initiative measure:
Title
A Citizen Initiative Prohibiting the City of Menlo Park from Selling, Leasing, Donating, Disposing, or Conveying City-Owned Downtown Parking Lots Without Voter Approval.
Summary
This initiative, if adopted, would prohibit the City of Menlo Park (the “City”) from selling, trading, leasing, donating, disposing, or otherwise conveying all or a portion of City-owned downtown Menlo Park parking lots for any reason that would affect or diminish the availability or convenience of parking, without voter approval, with certain exceptions.
The initiative would add Title 17, Chapter 17.01 to the Menlo Park Municipal Code entitled “Downtown Parking Plazas” (the “Ordinance”). The Ordinance includes the following provisions:
1. “Parking Plazas” is defined as eight separate parking lots located in downtown Menlo Park, described as “publicly owned” and “owned by the City.”
2. The City is prohibited from taking any of the following actions, without first obtaining voter approval, if such action would diminish the availability, access, or convenience of public parking for Downtown customers, workers, and visitors:
a. Disposing, selling, trading, leasing, donating, or otherwise conveying all or any portion of a Parking Plaza;
b. Designating a Parking Plaza as “surplus” or “exempt surplus” land pursuant to the Surplus Lands Act;
c. Modifying, altering, or constructing any improvements on the Parking Plazas;
d. Changing the use of a Parking Plaza.
3. If the City wishes to take any action listed in Section 2, above, the City must take all legally required steps to approve the action and then place such action on the next regularly scheduled election ballot, and such action will only become effective if approved by a majority of the voters.
4. If the City takes any action listed in Section 2, above, between May 15, 2025 and the effective date of the Ordinance, such actions shall be deemed null and void, unless the action is reenacted in compliance with the Ordinance.
5. Voter approval is not required for the following actions:
a. Maintaining, repairing, renovating, or improving the Parking Plazas as long as those actions are intended to preserve, improve, or expand availability, access, or convenience of public parking.
b. Allowing for community activities on the Parking Plazas, such as farmers’ markets or other similar events, as long as such activities are temporary and last no more than three consecutive days.
Key things to know:
Signers must be registered to vote in Menlo Park - ask them first.
You must witness the petition being filled out directly by the signer.
Writing must be legible. Signature must be done with care - it will need to match their signature on record.
Signers may NOT use a P.O. Box for their address
You can’t say anything misleading or false about the initiative, so if you are not sure, say you’re not sure and recommend they see the website for more info. SaveDowntownMenlo.org
You may give your opinions, but do not pressure or debate. We are getting signatures from supporters, not trying to convert opponents.
If someone wants to read the initiative first, you must let them.
If someone asks you if you are a volunteer, tell them.
If someone asks whose funding the campaign, say the campaign is raising money from a range of residents and businesses. Encourage them to donate on our web site.
If someone is uncertain as to whether they are registered to vote, let them sign, and encourage to check their registration status right away.
People are allowed to film you. If they are too close, politely ask them to stand back.
Never leave your petitions unattended or lying around. Take them home until you are finished, and then return to to the green envelope.
Sample Script for Canvassing
Hi! (Smile). I’m with Save Downtown Menlo. We’re collecting signatures for our ballot measure. Are you a registered voter?
If No: “Is there anyone else at home that’s a Menlo Park voter? If not, “Okay, thanks, have a nice day.”
If Yes:
Do you know about the plan to put high density housing into the downtown parking lots?
If No:
The City is planning to put large apartment buildings on 3 of the downtown parking lots. There has been widespread opposition to this plan by residents and businesses, yet the City Council keeps moving ahead. So we’re doing a ballot initiative that says that any change in use to the parking lots first needs to be approved by a vote of the people of Menlo Park. We need signatures from 10% of Menlo Park’s registered voters to get it on the ballot.
If Yes:
There has been widespread opposition to this plan by residents and businesses, yet the City Council keeps moving ahead. So we’re doing a ballot initiative that would require any change in use to the parking lots first be approved by a vote of the people of Menlo Park. We need signatures from 10% of Menlo Park’s registered voters to get it on the ballot.
If supportive:
Great! If you’re registered to vote, please print your name and address legibly and sign here. AFTER THEY SIGN: Ask if they’d like to provide their email address so we can keep in touch about the campaign. Leave a bookmark say they can learn more and make a contribution on our website: SaveDowntownMenlo.org
If not supportive:
Okay, thanks, have a nice day. (Avoid getting into a discussion, it will distract you from getting signatures from other people.)
Questions? Email savedowntownmenlo@gmail.com