2020 Voter Guide

Quick Hits: CA Propositions

1. Prop 14: Stem Cell Funding—No Recommendation

2. Prop 15: Property Tax Assessment—Yes

3. Prop 16: Affirmative Action—Strong Yes

4. Prop 17: Parolee Voting—Strong Yes

5. Prop 18: Voting Age—Yes

6. Prop 19: Property Tax Transfers—Lean No

7. Prop 20: Parole Restriction—Strong No

8. Prop 21: Rent Control—Strong Yes

9. Prop 22: Rideshare—Strong No

10. Prop 23: Dialysis Centers—No Recommendation

11. Prop 24: Consumer Privacy—No

12. Prop 25: Money Bail—Reluctant No

Quick Hits: SF Propositions

1. Prop A: Health & Homelessness, Parks & Streets Bond—Yes

2. Prop B: New Sanitation & Streets Commission—No Recommendation

3. Prop C: Non-citizens Serving on City Policy Committees—Yes

4. Prop D: Sheriff's Department Oversight Board—Lean Yes

5. Prop E: Minimum Police Staffing—Strong Yes

6. Prop F: Business Tax Overhaul—Strong Yes

7. Prop G: Youth Voting in Local Elections—Yes

8. Prop H: Neighborhood Commercial Districts & City Permitting—No Recommendation

9. Prop I: Real Estate Transfer Tax—Strong Yes

10. Prop J: Parcel Tax to Fund SFUSD—Yes

11. Prop K: Affordable Housing—Yes

12. Prop L: Business Tax Based on Comparison of Top Executive's Pay to Employees' Pay—Yes

Quick Hits: Regional Propositions

1. Prop RR: Rail Service Tax—No Recommendation

According to The Sentencing Project, “[as of 2016], African American disenfranchisement rates in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia now exceed 20 percent of the adult voting age population. In fact, whereas only 9 states disenfranchised at least 5 percent of their African American adult citizens in 1980, 23 states do so today.”

The ACLU and Fair Fight are two organizations that are fighting against voter suppression. They provide advice on how to claim your vote, and advocate for writing to your senators to pass the VRAA which, according to the ACLU would “reinstate critical protections against voter suppression left behind after the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013.”

As allies to people of color, we recognize voting is an incredibly important action that we can take to affect racial equity when we vote in alignment with BIPOC leadership. However, voting is not the sole way to affect change. Organizing alongside BIPOC-led organizations, and amplifying their calls to action, is equally as important in our racial justice work. It is also the way in which many of these propositions made their way onto the ballot. We want to acknowledge and show our appreciation to all of the organizers that have put tireless efforts into getting many of these impactful propositions onto the ballot for this election!

Voting Deadlines:

Registration deadlines

• Online: October 19

• By mail: Postmarked by October 19

• In person: November 3

Absentee ballot deadlines

• Request: October 27

• Return by mail: Postmarked by November 3

• Return in person: November 3 by 8:00 p.m.

Early voting

• October 5–November 2 (dates and hours may vary, depending on location)

Voting Tips:

• If you are a registered voter in the state of California, you will be mailed a ballot.

• If you are an inactive or absentee voter, you may request a ballot until October 27 by mailing this application: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/vote-by-mail/pdf/vote-by-mail-application.pdf

• Postage is prepaid on mailing your ballot back (no need to buy stamps).

• Consider filling out a sample ballot before either your mail ballot or going in person.

• If going in person to vote or pick up a ballot, bring photo ID.