https://www.siliconvalley.com/2024/12/05/measure-z-soda-tax-officially-passes-in-santa-cruz/ > SANTA CRUZ — With the final certification of votes by the Santa Cruz County Clerk Tuesday afternoon, the ballot initiative in the city of Santa Cruz known as Measure Z, or the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax, has officially passed. > According to the Santa Cruz County Elections Department, 15,780 votes were counted in favor of the ballot initiative, or about 52%, and 14,364 votes, or approximately 48%, were counted against the passage of Measure Z.