Measure F was approved by voters in Tuesday’s primary elections, but some have cited the system by which taxes are classified does not give affected residents a fair voice.

Approximately 64.85 percent of voters approved the tax in the primary, according to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, which includes voters who are not directly affected by the tax.

While the text of the measure itself does not indicate how the revenues from the utility tax on residents of unincorporated areas must be spent, the measure historically provided revenues to be set aside to fund county services in unincorporated areas, such as law enforcement and libraries, among other things.

Some residents of the unincorporated areas have cited that Measure F does not make these specifications intentionally, in order for it to be classified as a “general tax” instead of a “special tax.”

As per Proposition 218, the 1996 initiative that addressed taxation, the power to raise local funds through taxes shifted from local governing boards to local residents and property owners. This, combined with the vote requirements of Proposition 13, requires that Measure F only gain a simple 50 plus one majority through a county-wide vote in order to continue taxing residents of the county’s unincorporated areas. This is in contrast to a “special tax,” which, although could have given the residents affected by the tax sole control over the issue, requires a 2/3 vote in order to pass.