The United Church of Christ has issued a warning to Conference Ministers and others to be on alert for attacks on liberal churches. Those supporting racial justice, LGBTQ equality, immigrant rights, economic rights, etc. may become targets of extremists. 

The alert is based on threats made to various churches in advance of both promised rightwing extremist actions at state capitol buildings and at the upcoming inauguration.  The alert particularly focuses on January 17-20.  

Here is a link to a Newsweek brief story on this alert.     Here is the UCC statement.  

We do not think this is alarmist.  We think it is a prudent warning.

Many of you may recall that a few months ago an historic Black church, Asbury United Methodist, in Washington DC was vandalized for its "Black Lives Matter" banner.  The same happened in Sacramento, CA to a UCC church there.

This warning, while originating with UCC, is not limited to that denomination's churches.  Any church that has promoted justice issues or possibly with congregations that are dominated by immigrants or people of color may also be vulnerable.

Clearly state capital cities are a prime area of concern, but any area that has encountered contentiousness, threats, or high levels of political action need also to be on alert.

We recommend contacting your local police department and noting this warning.  As UCC recommends, those churches able to hold gatherings due to their COVID status, may wish to revert to online or other remote forms of worship from tomorrow through next week.  

Blessings on all of you, part of our beloved community, with heartfelt prayers for your safety and for that of your churches and centers of worship.  May all be safe from harm.
​

November 3, 2020, General Election Calendar
Summary:
10/19:  Last Day to Register to Vote: https://registertovote.ca.gov
Check Your Registration Status: https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov
Track Your Ballot: WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov

Election Date: November 3, 2020 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Voter Registration: Online or Postmark by October 19, 2020 or you can “conditionally” register and vote at your county elections office after the 15-day voter registration deadline.
Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request: Must arrive by October 27, 2020
Completed Ballots, Including Vote-by-Mail Ballots: Personally delivered ballots: Must be delivered by close of polls on November 3, 2020; Mailed ballots: Must be postmarked on or before November 3, 2020, and received by your county elections office no later than November 20, 2020.

Tracking your vote-by-mail ballot—when it is mailed, received, and counted—has never been easier. The California Secretary of State is now offering Where’s My Ballot?—a new way for voters to track and receive notifications on the status of their vote-by-mail ballot. Powered by BallotTrax, Where’s My Ballot? lets voters know where their ballot is, and its status, every step of the way.

Sign-up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to receive automatic email, SMS (text), or voice call notifications about your ballot.

The following counties are now offering Where’s My Ballot?:
Alameda
Alpine
Amador
Butte
Calaveras
Colusa
Contra Costa
Del Norte
El Dorado
Fresno
Glenn
Humboldt
Imperial
Inyo
Kern
Kings
Lake
Lassen
Los Angeles
Madera
Marin
Mariposa
Mendocino
Merced
Mono
Monterey
Napa
Nevada
Orange
Placer
Plumas
Riverside
Sacramento
San Benito
San Bernardino
San Diego
San Francisco
San Joaquin
San Luis Obispo
San Mateo
Santa Barbara
Santa Clara
Santa Cruz
Shasta
Sierra
​Siskiyou
Solano
Sonoma
Stanislaus
Sutter
Tehama
Trinity
Tulare
Tuolumne
Ventura
Yolo
Yuba

Don’t see your county on the list? You can see if your vote-by-mail ballot has been received and counted by logging into voterstatus.sos.ca.gov

Detailed Calendar
Full version available at https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov//statewide-elections/2020-primary/section-8-general-calendar.pdf

9/4/20   MILITARY OR OVERSEAS VOTER BALLOT APPLICATIONS 
First day county elections officials may process applications for military or overseas voter ballots. Any applications received by the county elections official prior to this day shall be kept and processed on or after this date. If the applicant is not a resident of the county to which he or she has applied, the elections official receiving the application shall forward it immediately to the proper county. 
A request for a vote-by-mail ballot from a military or overseas voter is deemed an affidavit of registration and an application for permanent vote-by-mail status.

9/19/20   MILITARY OR OVERSEAS VOTER BALLOTS 
Last day for county elections officials to transmit ballots and balloting materials to absent military or overseas voters who have requested them by this date. If a military or overseas voter ballot application is received after this date, the county elections official shall transmit a ballot and balloting materials as soon as practicable. 

9/24/20 to 10/13/20   STATE VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE MAILING 
Period in which the Secretary of State shall mail state Voter Information Guides to all households in which voters were registered by September 4, 2020. This mailing is based on the information provided by county elections officials to the Secretary of State by September 14, 2020  
9/24/20 to 10/13/20   COUNTY VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE AND POLLING PLACE NOTICE MAILING
Suggested first day for the county elections official to begin mailing a county voter information guide and a polling place notice, which includes any vote centers, to each registered voter who registered at least 29 days before the election, unless the voter has opted to receive them electronically. The polling place notice may state whether the polling place is accessible to the physically handicapped. 

10/5/20   ALL COUNTIES MAIL EVERY ACTIVE REGISTERED VOTER A VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT AND PACKET
For this election, every active registered voter will be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot. 
No later than this date, county elections officials shall begin mailing each registered voter a vote-by-mail ballot, a vote-by-mail packet that includes an envelope with instructions on the use and return of the vote-by-mail ballot, and other information including the locations and hours of each vote center in the county or polling place. 
County elections officials shall have five days to mail a ballot to each person who had requested a vote-by-mail ballot by this date and five days for each voter who requests a vote-by-mail ballot after this date. 

10/5/20 COMPUTER PROCESSING OF VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS 
Counties having the necessary computer capability may start to process vote-by- mail ballots on the 29th day before the election. Processing vote-by- mail ballots includes opening vote by mail ballot return envelopes, removing ballots, duplicating any damaged ballots, and preparing the ballots to be machine read, or machine reading them, including processing write-in votes so that they can be tallied by the machine, but under no circumstances may a vote count be accessed or released until 8 p.m. on the day of the election. 
All other county elections officials shall start to process vote-by-mail ballots at 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election, the results of which shall not be released until 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020 (E). 

10/5/20 to 10/27/20   VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT APPLICATION 
Period in which any registered voter may apply to the county elections official for a vote-by-mail ballot. 
No later than this date, the county elections official shall begin mailing vote-by- mail ballots, and shall have five days to mail a ballot to each person who had requested a vote-by-mail ballot by this date and five days for each voter who requests a vote-by-mail ballot after this date. 

10/6/20 to 11/3/20   VOTER'S CHOICE ACT COUNTIES AND NON-VCA COUNTIES: DROPOFF LOCATIONS OPEN
Beginning no later than 9 a.m., counties that are implementing the Voter's Choice Act and non-VCA counties (that will be providing at least one polling place per 10,000 registered voters, pursuant to Executive Order N-67-20) will open ballot dropoff locations. These locations shall be open at least during regular business hours beginning not less than 28 days before the election through Election Day. At least one ballot dropoff location shall be an accessible, secured, exterior drop box that is available for a minimum of 12 hours per day, including regular business hours. The minimum number of drop-off locations should be based upon voters registered as of August 7, 2020  
10/19/20   15-DAY CLOSE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION 
Last day to register to vote in the general election. The Voter Registration Form shall be mailed (postmarked by this date), submitted online using the Secretary of State's online voter registration application (COVR), or delivered to the county elections official by this date and is effective upon receipt. The Voter Registration Form may also be submitted by this date to the Secretary of State, Department of Motor Vehicles, or any National Voter Registration Act designated agency. 
A request for a vote-by-mail ballot from a military or overseas voter, if postmarked on or before this date, will be deemed an affidavit of registration and an application for permanent vote-by-mail status. When a county elections official receives and approves a registration application from a military or overseas voter, the official must provide that voter with a vote-by-mail ballot for each subsequent election for federal office in the state unless the voter fails to vote in four consecutive statewide general elections. 

10/19/20   NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS WITHIN STATE
Last day before the general election for any voter to send a notice or letter advising the county elections official of a change of address within the state. The notice or letter shall be mailed (postmarked by this date) or delivered to the county elections official by this date and is effective upon receipt. The notice or letter may also be submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles or any National Voter Registration Act designated agency prior to the election. The county elections official shall correct the registration records accordingly. The notice or letter is in lieu of re-registering.  
10/20/20 to 11/3/20   CONDITIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION PERIOD 
Period in which an elector can “conditionally” register and vote provisionally at the county elections office, a satellite office, polling place, or vote center after the 15-day voter registration deadline. 

10/20/20   BILINGUAL PRECINCT BOARD MEMBERS 
Last day for county elections officials to prepare a list of precincts to which bilingual officers were appointed. A copy of this list shall be made available to the public. 

10/20/20 to 10/27/20   NEW RESIDENT REGISTRATION PERIOD 
Any person who becomes a new resident after October 19, 2020, may register to vote beginning on October 20, 2020, and ending October 27, 2020. This registration must be executed in the county elections office and the new resident shall vote a new resident’s ballot in that office. A new resident is eligible to vote for only president and vice president. 
The ballots of new residents shall be received and canvassed at the same time and under the same procedure as vote-by-mail ballots. 

10/20/20 to 11/3/20   NEW CITIZEN REGISTRATION PERIOD 
Period in which a new citizen is eligible to register and vote at the office of, or at another location designated by, the county elections official at any time beginning on October 20, 2020, and ending at the close of polls on November 3, 2020. 
A new citizen registering to vote after the close of registration shall provide the county elections official with proof of citizenship prior to voting and shall declare that he or she has established residency in California. 
The ballots of new citizens shall be received and canvassed at the same time and under the same procedure as vote-by-mail ballots. 

10/27/20   VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT APPLICATION — DEADLINE
Last day for the county elections official to receive any voter’s application for a vote-by-mail ballot, including an application from a military or overseas voter, and to issue such ballot for the general election. 

10/28/20 to 11/3/20   REQUEST FOR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT — LATE CONDITIONS 
Period in which counties that are implementing the Voter's Choice Act will open one vote center for every 10,000 registered voters. The locations and hours of operation of these vote centers will be available in vote-by-mail materials and on the county website. Any voter registered in the county may visit any voter center in order to receive voter services or vote. The first day a vote center opens, the elections official shall deliver to the precinct board a list of military and overseas voters who registered under Section 3108. 

10/31/20 to 11/3/20   VOTER'S CHOICE ACT COUNTIES AND NON-VCA COUNTIES: OPEN ONE VOTE CENTER FOR EVERY 10,000 REGISTERED VOTERS
Counties that are implementing the Voter's Choice Act (VCA) and non-VCA counties that will be providing at least one polling place per 10,000 registered voters, pursuant to Executive Order N-67-20, will open one vote center or "regular" polling place, for every 10,000 registered voters. The locations and hours of operation of these polling locations will be available in vote-by-mail materials and on the county website. Any voter registered in a VCA county may visit any vote center in order to receive voter services or vote. 

11/2/20   MANUAL PROCESSING OF VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS 
Counties not having the necessary computer capability to process vote-by-mail ballots may begin to manually process vote-by-mail ballots at 5:00 p.m. on this date, but under NO circumstances may the vote count be accessed or released until 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020 

11/3/20   GENERAL ELECTION DAY 
On this date, the polls shall be open throughout the state from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
An elector can "conditionally" register and vote provisionally at the county elections office, a satellite office, polling place, or vote center. 

11/3/20   HAND DELIVERED OR FAXED VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS RETURNED IN ORDER TO BE COUNTED — DEADLINE
Voted vote-by-mail ballots hand delivered to the office of the elections official who issued the ballot, or at any polling place, vote center, vote-by-mail drop-off location, or drop box in the state must be received by the county elections official by the close of the polls on Election Day. 
Last day a military or overseas voter who is living outside of the United States (or is called for service within the United States on or after October 27, 2020), may return his or her ballot by facsimile transmission or by certified remote accessible vote-by-mail system. To be counted, the ballot returned by facsimile transmission shall be received by the voter's elections official by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day and shall be accompanied by an identification envelope and a signed oath of declaration. 

11/20/20   MAILED VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS — LAST DAY TO BE COUNTED 
Any vote-by-mail ballot cast shall be deemed timely if it is received by the elections official via the United States Postal Service or a bona fide private mail delivery company by the seventeenth day after Election Day and either of the following is satisfied: 1) the ballot is postmarked on or before Election Day or is time stamped or date stamped by a bona fide private mail delivery company on or before Election Day, or it is otherwise indicated by the United States Postal Service or a bona fide private mail delivery company that the ballot was mailed on or before Election Day, or 2) if the ballot has no postmark, a postmark with no date, or an illegible postmark, and no other information is available from the United States Postal Service or the bona fide private mail delivery company to indicate the date on which the ballot was mailed, the vote by mail ballot identification envelope is date stamped by the elections official upon receipt of the vote by mail ballot from the United States Postal Service or a bona fide private mail delivery company, and is signed and dated pursuant to Section 3011 on or before Election Day. 

12/1/20   STATEMENT OF RESULTS TO SECRETARY OF STATE — PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS
By this date, the county elections official shall send to the Secretary of State, in an electronic format, one complete copy of the returns for presidential electors. 

12/11/20  STATEMENT OF THE VOTE
Last day for the Secretary of State to prepare, certify, declare, and file a statement of the vote from the compiled election returns and post to the Secretary of State's website. 

12/14/20 2:00 p.m.   ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONVENES
At this time and date, the Presidential Electors shall assemble at the State Capitol to vote by separate ballot for that person for President and that person for Vice President of the United States who are, respectively, the candidates of the political party which they represent. These votes are mailed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. ​

1/2/21   CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION — INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM RESULTS 
Last day of the Secretary of State to deliver to the State Printing Office certificates showing what laws or constitutional amendments, proposed by initiative petition and approved by the people, have gone into operation, and the date of going into operation, and the result of all elections upon any questions submitted to the electors of the State by initiative or referendum petition within the preceding two years. 

Many of you have received our recommendations for the statewide propositions on the November 2020 California General Election in the mail.  These have been mailed this week and we hope you will receive yours soon. Due to popular request, we are sending them out electronically too.  You can download the attached file or click on the links below if your email does not show the attachment.  Please feel free to reproduce, use, and distribute for your congregation, family, and friends.  If you want suggestions on how these are used by other congregations throughout the state, please see the attachment/link for IMPACT Sundays.

And, as always, please contact us with any questions or needs.

Can You Host an IMPACT Sunday?Many congregations throughout California host IMPACT Sundays at their congregation, place of worship, or homes and other locations. Attached is a flyer with suggestions on how some congregations do this, but you are welcome to use your creativity!   If you need copies of our ballot guide, you can download them here (we hope to have a short version posted in early October) or contact us.  We can send you copies but do ask for help covering the cost of printing and postage.

If you do hold an IMPACT Sunday or distribute our recommendations, please be sure to let us know about it! 
For more information, please contact us.
​
And, as always, please contact us with any questions or needs.

SUMMARY
Proposition 14: YES
Proposition 15: YES
Proposition 16: YES
Proposition 17: YES
Proposition 18: YES
Proposition 19: YES
Proposition 20: NO
Proposition 21: YES
Proposition 22: YES
Proposition 23: YES
Proposition 24: NO
Proposition 25: NO

Proposition 14                                                   Recommendation: SUPPORT
 
Authorizes Bonds to Continue Funding Stem Cell and Other Medical Research. Initiative Statute.
 
This is a $5.5 billion bond that will cost approximately $7.8 billion when repaid over 25 years. The bonds will continue funding the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which in turn funds research and development of stem cell medicine. CIRM began with Proposition 71 in 2004 and has ramped up both basic stem cell research and has produced 64 clinical trials covering 11 different medical specialties from cancer to macular degeneration. CIRM operating costs are confined to 7.5% of the funding with the rest to research. Work is overseen by a 35-person board. 
 
 
Proposition 15                                                  Recommendation: SUPPORT
 
Increases Funding for Public Schools, Community Colleges, and Local Government Services by Changing Tax Assessment of Commercial and Industrial Property. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. 
 
This measure will rework the property tax rates set in 1978 for both residential and commercial property by Proposition 13. Commercial and industrial property would now be taxed based on fair market value. Rather than setting tax rates based on the age of the company, Proposition 15 will tax businesses based on size and income. Those with values of less than $3 million plus all residential properties (apartments), and agricultural operations will retain Proposition 13 valuations and rates. In addition, small businesses at set income levels will be exempt from personal property tax. The new revenues, estimated to bring $6.5-11.5 billion annually, will fund K-12, community colleges, and local governments with emphasis on improving older, more deteriorated school systems in low-income areas. 
 
 
Proposition 16                                                  Recommendation: SUPPORT
 
ACA 5 (Resolution, Chapter 23). Weber. Government Preferences. 
 
This resolution, only nine words long, repeals Proposition 209 (1996) that prohibited the state from considering race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, or contracting. Rather than creating the “color blind” society promised, Proposition 209 prohibited all considerations of race and other attributes thus enabling discrimination to re-expand. Race, gender, etc., and the experiences produced in life because of them are part of the holistic experience of any person. Quotas and “point” systems remain unconstitutional. Affirmative action was meant to give equal consideration to people whose contributions to society are based in part on these ascriptive life experiences. If Prop. 15 passes, that can be restored. 
 
 
Proposition 17                                                  Recommendation: SUPPORT
 
ACA 6 (Resolution, Chapter 24). McCarty. Elections: Disqualification of Electors.
 
This measure restores the right to vote to people on parole. Those on probation, who avoided prison, keep their right while on probation. Those on parole, the status that comes after prison release, do not. Those opposing voting rights for former convicts say it gives voting rights to those who may reoffend, and to violent criminals. However, if the parole board sees fit to release someone to return to productive society, that restorative action must include the full rights and responsibilities of the society. 
 
 
Proposition 18                                                  Recommendation: SUPPORT
 
ACA 4 (Resolution, Chapter 30). Mullin. Elections: Voting Age.
 
This measure would allow 17-year-olds who will be 18 at the time of the next general election to vote in primaries and special elections. The argument for this measure is that it would engage youth in greater likelihood of voting in general elections. Voting is essential, and we support the sentiments embodied in former President Barack Obama’s eulogy for Rep. John Lewis, champion of the Voting Rights Act: “...we (must) remember what John [Lewis] said: ‘If you don’t do everything you can to change things, then they will remain the same. You only pass this way once. You have to give it all you have.’ As long as young people are protesting in the streets, hoping real change takes hold, I’m hopeful; but we cannot casually abandon them at the ballot box...We cannot treat voting as an errand to run if we have some time. We have to treat it as the most important action we can take on behalf of democracy.”
 
 
 
Proposition 19                                                  Recommendation: SUPPORT
 
ACA 11 (Resolution, Chapter 31). Mullin. The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfires or Natural Disasters Act.
 
A similar measure was defeated in 2018 but has been rewritten. The measure helps qualified homeowners who are “house rich, income poor,” while it prevents use of low-tax-rate property for income generation. By terms of Proposition 58 (1986), property with low tax rates due to age of purchase could be transferred to children and grandchildren with the same rates and valuations. In many instances wealthy individuals use that property as rental income far exceeding the tax rates paid. Proposition 19 does expand the use of existing low rates for seniors, those with disabilities, victims of wildfire or natural disaster, allowing transfer or senior rates to any county and allowing the transfer three times v. once. However, it bars inherited property from being used for income generation and requires it must be used as the primary residence by those who inherited it. All such rental properties will be reassessed upward to full market status thus generating new tax revenue. This impacts 40-60,000 taxpayers. 75% of new revenues will be assigned to the Fire Protection Fund, 25% to County Revenue Protection Fund for any possible loss of tax revenue. Every older property released for actual sale will also generate higher tax rates and more revenue for the county. 
 
 
Proposition 20                                                  Recommendation: OPPOSE
 
Restricts Parole for Non-Violent Offenders, Authorizes Felony Sentences for Certain Offenses Currently Treated Only as Misdemeanors. 
 
This proposition makes changes to policies related to criminal sentencing charges, prison release, and DNA collection. It would reclassify many misdemeanors as “wobblers,” permitting crimes to be either misdemeanors or felonies. These would include firearm and vehicle theft, and unlawful use of a credit card as well as serial crime, regardless of content, and organized retail crime. The proposition would prohibit early release by reclassifying crimes as “violent.” Other crimes, committed prior to 2014 reforms, would require the perpetrator to have his or her DNA on file. Furthermore, rather than having the parole board consider applicants on the basis of fulfilling their sentences and in-prison behavior, this proposition directs the parole boards to consider the person’s age, employment prospects, etc. In sum, a person could remain in prison, regardless of compliance, if he or she were poorly educated and less employable; often racially biased. This proposition will undermine past sentencing reform measures passed by voters in recent elections. Crime is significantly lower in the past few years per the Public Policy Institute of California. These new standards would not stop crime but will swell our prison population through reclassification of offenses, to no discernable public benefit.
 
 
Proposition 21                                                  Recommendation: SUPPORT
 
Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. Initiative Statute.
 
Expands local governments’ ability to implement rent control on some housing now covered by the 1995 Costa-Hawkins Act. Under the CHA, rent control cannot be implemented for housing built or occupied after 1995. Rent control cannot be used on dwellings with distinct titles such as single-family homes, condos, townhouses, etc. In light of the soaring rents in every part of California, this year’s Proposition 21 would allow local governments to abolish some CHA provisions. It upholds the bar on property first occupied in the past 16 years owned by natural persons (not those owned by corporations) with no more than two separate units, e.g., single family, condos, duplexes, subdivided units such a cooperative and community apartments. In all other eligible properties, local governments can limit rent increases to 15% during the first three years after a vacancy. While it does nothing to reduce current rental rates, it would slow the further rate increases for new tenants. Because the decision will remain in local control, it gives voice to local citizens based on perceived differences in their own communities, housing stock, and rental demand. 
 
 
Proposition 22                                                  Recommendation: SUPPORT
 
Changes Employment Classification Rules for App-based Transportation and Delivery Drivers. Initiative Statute.
 
This proposition reworks a part of AB 5 (2019) that ended “independent contractor” status for many jobs. The proposition addresses only “app-based drivers” — those who offer ride sharing or delivery services such as Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, etc. While AB 5 sought greater economic equity for such “gig” or casual engagement work, it has created real problems for those driving. Most drivers work erratically to fit family and other considerations into their schedules and work for several different companies at the same time. Defined shifts would cause them to quit or create real hardships. Labor groups are correct to demand assured income, benefits, protections for these novel workers, new to the labor economy. This proposition shows they have largely succeeded. The companies have created this measure that puts into law the demands put forth by unions and advocates. It will provide minimum wage plus 20%, covering drive time to pick up and from delivery; mileage; insurance for both drivers’ vehicles and workplace injury; guaranteed retention of tips; and payments for workers’ health insurance. Unions still oppose this measure, but it’s better wages than what the legislature could create for a unique group of workers, does not prohibit unionization, and offers the kinds of security as well as flexibility desired by drivers. The companies were forced to do well by their drivers. In sum, unions and advocates already won this argument for drivers that is better for these workers than most part time employees will get under AB 5 or current labor laws. It would be immoral to deny drivers this benefit simply because it came from the employers and not from unions and others. The proposition in no way impacts temporary workers who are hired for 9 to 5 positions. Those are very different working conditions and not addressed in this measure. They remain covered by the terms and standards set by AB 5. While this proposition does not go as far as we wish, it is a step in the right direction for many workers. There is nothing in this initiative to prevent the legislature from further strengthening it. We understand this is controversial, but for these reasons, we join our friends at the California NAACP in supporting this measure. 
 
 
Proposition 23                                                  Recommendation: SUPPORT
 
Authorizes State Regulation of Kidney Dialysis Clinics. Establishes Minimum Staffing and Other Requirements. Initiative Statute. 
 
Revisiting Prop. 8 (2018), this measure regulated private, for-profit dialysis clinics. It requires a physician on-site at dialysis clinics and monitoring blood pathogens regularly. This was defeated last time due largely to fears that for-profit dialysis centers would use the increased regulations to raise fees and to turn down poor or underinsured patients. All patients are guaranteed equal treatment in this measure. These provisions, coupled with state regulation of clinics trying to close entirely, provide safeguards for access to service along with safeguards for patient well-being. Dialysis often transmits blood-born infections; with too little monitoring, such infections can be fatal. SEIU health care workers’ union sponsors this ballot measure. It has no impact on their unionization efforts. This version of the ballot measure provides patient-centered regulation and will improve an essential service many people need but are not now obtaining either in fact or in quality.
 
 
Proposition 24                                                  Recommendation: OPPOSE
 
Amends Consumer Privacy Laws. Initiative Statute. Expands Provisions of the CA Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Creates California Privacy Protection Agency to Implement and Enforce the CCPA.
 
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) was written by the Legislature, is enforced by the Attorney General, and went into full effect July 1, 2020. Proposition 24 purports to strengthen that law, but it has many unintended consequences that appear to weaken it. For those not well versed in technology, it is confusing. Many of the provisions about data collection that seem excellent, e.g., prohibitions on racial profiling, legal status as former convict, undocumented immigrant, can slip through the cracks. You may have seen popups asking if some company you’re researching may use your data, but saying NO is no guarantee that your private information is not part of their baseline management information or that opting out won’t cost you more money. Since the CCPA has, at this writing, operated for less than a month, these changes, opposed by ACLU, Consumer Federation of California, and Media Alliance, among others, simply cannot tackle how the existing law will function. Ballot measure terms and conditions are very hard to overturn legislatively no matter how poorly they operate. We need to see how CCPA functions now before we radically and substantially amend it, especially with provisions that may make us more, not less, vulnerable to invasions of our privacy and personal data. 
 
 
Proposition 25                              Recommendation: SUPPORT via a NO vote.
 
Referendum to Overturn a 2018 Law that Replaced Money Bail System with a System Based on Public Safety Risk. 
 
This referendum challenges a state statute to replace cash bail with risk assessments for suspects awaiting trial. SB 10 gave the courts discretion to assess low, medium, and high-risk defendants who could be released or detained on those assessments rather than on a demand for cash bail. Most proffering bail had to come up with 10% for a bail bond from a private provider, and if that was impossible, the defendant languished in jail. Wealthy people got out. Poor people remained. However, SB 10 did not actually improve chances of greater justice. “Risk assessment” may be racially, culturally, and economically biased. There are no guidelines in SB 10 for what sets determinations. All three CA affiliates of American Civil Liberties Union opposed SB 10 with its unintended racial biases and potential for greater not lesser inequity. ACLU is not opposing this ballot measure since it is sponsored by the for-profit bail industry. IMPACT, however, believes the greater good requires revisiting the entire issue to assure real justice. Because it is a referendum, a YES vote is to UPHOLD SB 10. A NO vote is to return to cash bail while we revisit the issue on risk assessments and other criteria.
 
 
SUMMARY
Proposition 14: YES
Proposition 15: YES
Proposition 16: YES
Proposition 17: YES
Proposition 18: YES
Proposition 19: YES
Proposition 20: NO
Proposition 21: YES
Proposition 22: YES
Proposition 23: YES
Proposition 24: NO
Proposition 25: NO
 

This measure will rework the property tax rates set in 1978 for both residential and commercial property by Proposition 13. Commercial and industrial property would now be taxed based on fair market value. Rather than setting tax rates based on the age of the company, Proposition 15 will tax businesses based on size and income. Those with values of less than $3 million plus all residential properties (apartments), and agricultural operations will retain Proposition 13 valuations and rates. In addition, small businesses at set income levels will be exempt from personal property tax. The new revenues, estimated to bring $6.5-11.5 billion annually, will fund K-12, community colleges, and local governments with emphasis on improving older, more deteriorated school systems in low-income areas. ​

​This resolution, only nine words long, repeals Proposition 209 (1996) that prohibited the state from considering race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, or contracting. Rather than creating the “color blind” society promised, Proposition 209 prohibited all considerations of race and other attributes thus enabling discrimination to re-expand. Race, gender, etc., and the experiences produced in life because of them are part of the holistic experience of any person. Quotas and “point” systems remain unconstitutional. Affirmative action was meant to give equal consideration to people whose contributions to society are based in part on these ascriptive life experiences. If Prop. 15 passes, that can be restored.

​This measure restores the right to vote to people on parole. Those on probation, who avoided prison, keep their right while on probation. Those on parole, the status that comes after prison release, do not. Those opposing voting rights for former convicts say it gives voting rights to those who may reoffend, and to violent criminals. However, if the parole board sees fit to release someone to return to productive society, that restorative action must include the full rights and responsibilities of the society.

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This measure would allow 17-year-olds who will be 18 at the time of the next general election to vote in primaries and special elections. The argument for this measure is that it would engage youth in greater likelihood of voting in general elections. Voting is essential, and we support the sentiments embodied in former President Barack Obama’s eulogy for Rep. John Lewis, champion of the Voting Rights Act: “...we (must) remember what John [Lewis] said: ‘If you don’t do everything you can to change things, then they will remain the same. You only pass this way once. You have to give it all you have.’ As long as young people are protesting in the streets, hoping real change takes hold, I’m hopeful; but we cannot casually abandon them at the ballot box...We cannot treat voting as an errand to run if we have some time. We have to treat it as the most important action we can take on behalf of democracy.”

​A similar measure was defeated in 2018 but has been rewritten. The measure helps qualified homeowners who are “house rich, income poor,” while it prevents use of low-tax-rate property for income generation. By terms of Proposition 58 (1986), property with low tax rates due to age of purchase could be transferred to children and grandchildren with the same rates and valuations. In many instances wealthy individuals use that property as rental income far exceeding the tax rates paid. Proposition 19 does expand the use of existing low rates for seniors, those with disabilities, victims of wildfire or natural disaster, allowing transfer or senior rates to any county and allowing the transfer three times v. once. However, it bars inherited property from being used for income generation and requires it must be used as the primary residence by those who inherited it. All such rental properties will be reassessed upward to full market status thus generating new tax revenue. This impacts 40-60,000 taxpayers. 75% of new revenues will be assigned to the Fire Protection Fund, 25% to County Revenue Protection Fund for any possible loss of tax revenue. Every older property released for actual sale will also generate higher tax rates and more revenue for the county.