When most Marin voters cast postal ballots or march to voting centers to participate in the Nov. 4 special elections, they’ll find the sole item to be decided is Proposition 50.

That measure will determine whether to redraw the boundaries of California’s 52 congressional districts. It’s a tit-for-tat partisan battle between the politically “deep blue” Golden State and the “deep red” states of Texas, Missouri and likely Ohio and Indiana, to determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

There are two exceptions. Purely local measures will face voters in Fairfax and Sausalito. Last Wednesday, I wrote about the Fairfax recall election. Now I will focus on Sausalito.

Everywhere in Marin and booming coastal California, the issue of providing more new housing is leading political debates. The issue is based on decisions of our state Legislature led by San Francisco Democrat, Sen. Scott Wiener (aka “Mr. Housing”), to sideline local land-use decisions in favor of “one size fits all” state mandates.

There are valid arguments whether there truly is a widespread “housing crisis” or if the true focus should be on workforce housing. Those pivotal decisions have already been made. Cities, towns and counties must follow state mandates.

As chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr said when the Trump administration tried to censor ABC host Jimmy Kimmel, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” In practice, that mafioso-style approach is reminiscent of how California legislators approached cities and counties.

The “easy way” is simply to follow state mandates, come what may. The “hard way” is for localities to fight a rearguard action to assert a modicum of local control over new housing’s design, height, mass and parking requirements.

Sausalito voters face Measures J and K. Both relate to those state housing mandates.

Measure J seeks voter approval of the Sausalito council-approved state-required housing element. By a split vote, the council decided that lots in the southern section of the Marinship neighborhood would not be designated as housing sites. The idea is that the area should be solely devoted to uses compatible with a “working waterfront.” Fair enough, but the reality is that those who are employed on shipbuilding, fishing and related crafts need affordable workforce homes.

Multiple Marinship property owners are agreeable to build housing on their underused land. That would limit the pressure of high-density development in other Sausalito neighborhoods. If Measure J loses, the state could potentially allow the city to reopen its housing element.

Then, new housing sites located within Marinship’s boundaries could be used to decrease density on other projects and spread new homes more equitably around Sausalito.

Measure K is site-specific to the city-owned Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Coloma Street. That’s not the site of King’s namesake public school which is one mile away on Nevada Street. The idea, according to the city council, is to provide, “no more than 50 units of housing prioritizing Sausalito’s seniors; while maintaining existing recreational, dog park, and school uses; maintaining building height limits.”

Using city-owned property substantially decreases the cost of delivering 100% affordable senior and workforce housing. The dilemma is that on the MLK Park site, the city-promised and delivered workspace for artists, craftsmen and those who make Sausalito unique. As Measure K voting looms, the city is making vague promises that the artisans will be relocated to sites within Marinship at similar rents.

There’s a better way to address the artisans’ future. Immediately relocate them to sites within Marinship, eliminating any doubt that their vibrant community will survive. That will foster credibility, potentially shifting some of Measure J’s skeptics into supporters.

While the park’s Coloma Street neighbors will remain opposed to the change, addressing the artisans’ needs will boost acceptance of Measure K’s promise to satisfy state mandates while delivering 50 units of much-needed 100% affordable apartments.

Columnist Dick Spotswood of Mill Valley writes on local issues Sundays and Wednesdays. Email him at spotswood@comcast.net.