My name is Long Jiao. I'm a Cupertino resident and a member of the CUSD Board of Education, and I want to hear from across our whole district — Cupertino, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Santa Clara, Los Altos, and the unincorporated areas in between. This survey is conducted solely by me and does not represent the official position of the CUSD Board. In the interest of full transparency, I've endorsed candidates in this year's Cupertino City Council races — so I want to be clear this survey is about the conduct of our local elections, not about advantaging any candidate. Sign tampering is wrong whoever it happens to, and in whatever city it happens.
Every election season, in every one of our cities, residents report campaign signs being removed, damaged, or placed without permission. This short, candidate-neutral survey asks about your experience and what you think should be done — wherever you live. It takes about two minutes.
A note for neighbors outside Cupertino: a couple of questions mention Cupertino's specific sign rules as an example. If you live in another city the exact ordinance differs, but the questions about what you've seen and what you believe apply to your town just as much — answer with your own community in mind.
And how it works: every question lets you pick an answer and add your own comment — the comment box is always there. If the options don't fit, tell me in your own words.
This election season, have you seen or heard of any of the following — to you, your household, or people you know (neighbors, friends)? (select all that apply) "Front yard" = the private area between a house and the sidewalk; "park strip" = the city strip between the sidewalk and the street.
Select all that apply.
Did you know that in California, stealing or defacing campaign signs can be prosecuted as petty theft or vandalism — and that you can report it to the police?
Did you know that under Cupertino's sign code, a political sign may be placed on the "park strip" only with the adjacent resident's permission (§ 19.104.250) — and that the resident may remove an unauthorized one (§ 19.104.340)? Want the full picture? [Read the background on campaign-sign rules in Cupertino]
If a campaign sign were placed on the park strip in front of your home without your permission, what would you most likely do? (select one) All of these are options Cupertino residents have under the city's sign rules.
Have you — or someone you know — ever felt pressured or intimidated to display a political sign, or had a campaign falsely tell a neighbor you supported a candidate you hadn't agreed to?
Imagine a candidate you support was benefiting from having opponents' signs removed or tampered with. What would you want them to do?
How important is it to you that the candidates you support run their campaigns fairly — even against candidates you strongly oppose?
What, if anything, should the city or community do about campaign-sign theft and unauthorized placement?
Anything else you'd like to share about campaign conduct in our community?
Which topics would you like addressed in future surveys?
Paid for by Long Jiao for Cupertino Union School District 2024, #1468573
