2024 VOTER GUIDE
WE ARE PEOPLE OF SPIRIT AND FAITH WHO REFLECT CALIFORNIA'S COMMUNITIESMULTI-RACIAL, MULTI-FAITH, AND MULTI-GENERATIONAL, FROM EVERY CLASS AND WALK OF LIFE, FROM THE FIELDS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY AND THE REDWOODS OF CRESCENT CITY TO DODGER STADIUM AND THE SACRAMENTO CAPITOL BUILDING.
We believe that each and every one of us has an essential right to dignity, human security, and moral justice. We are faithful Californians that encourage our neighbors to vote and take action to make this a reality.
Our mission is to create a California of radical compassion and love, where no one is left out, and where race, religion, age and wealth are not barriers to justice.
We stand for:
• Budget and revenue reform at every level of government
• Housing rights in our communities
• Healing the harm caused by histories of injustice by ending the criminalization of people as the only path to safety
• Investing in the power and leadership of people.
We know there is enough for all of us when we make choices based on our sacred connection to one another
and to all Creation. We believe that when we organize our power to vote and engage our neighbors we can create a society that aligns with our moral core - one where precious resources are used to strengthen communities and not as tax breaks, for special interests and wealthy corporations.
California is at a moral crossroad.
The moment is here, so let us reaf rm the ght for everyone’s inherent humanity and dignity, and to show that we can belong and thrive.
Join us in prophetic love and power to create the California that we know is possible and that our communities deserve.
Sincerely,
Clergy, Faith Leaders, and Elders of the PICO California Network
ARE YOU SIGNED UP TO VOTE?
OCTOBER 7, 2024
Your county elections of ce will begin mailing ballots to registered voters
OCTOBER 8, 2024
Ballot drop-off locations open
OCTOBER 21, 2024
Last day to register to vote in this election.
OCTOBER
26, 2024
Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties
NOVEMBER 5, 2024
ELECTION DAY: Your voting location is open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
NOVEMBER
12, 2024
WAYS TO VOTE
1
Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by this date. VOTE-BY-MAIL
Mark your ballot and seal it inside the envelope provided
Follow the directions on the ballot to mark your choices.
Check that you are using the return envelope with your name on it. Put your ballot into the envelope & seal. Only 1 ballot in each envelope.
Sign and date the envelope
Date and sign your name on the back of the envelope using ink.
Check your signature to make sure it looks like the one on le.
• If you registered to vote at the DMV or online, the signature will be the one on your Driver’s License or State ID.
• Uncertain? Re-register with your updated signature. Return your ballot on time Mail your ballot back early because it must be postmarked by Election Day, November 5.
Return your ballot on time
Mail your ballot back early because it must be postmarked by Election Day, November 5.
OR DROP OFF YOUR BALLOT 2
If you decide to hand in your ballot instead of mailing it, you must drop it off no later than 8PM on Election Day, November 5.
Drop off your ballot at any Voting Location in your county.
Some counties will also offer secure Ballot Dropboxes
For details and locations check caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov
After returning your ballot, check WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to nd out where your ballot is in the process and when it has been accepted.
WAYS TO VOTE
VOTE IN PERSON 3
If you missed the deadline, go to any Voting Location. You can register and vote on the same day – all the way up through Election Day.
At in-person Voting Locations you can:
• Vote in-person.
• Drop off your completed ballot.
• Vote with an accessible voting machine.
• Get help and voting materials in multiple languages.
Early voting, starting before Election Day, will be available in some locations.
Find Early Voting and Ballot Dropbox locations at caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.
In certain counties you can vote at any voting location.
In other counties you must visit a special assigned voting location.
Find your Voting Location at ndmypollingplace.sos.ca.gov
• If possible, nd your assigned location at ndmypollingplace.sos.ca.gov. Go to that Voting Location to make sure you get a ballot with all your local contests.
• Same-day register and vote from home. If you need to register after October 21 and want to vote from home, contact your County Elections Of ce to nd out how to register and get a vote by mail ballot through Election Day. Check sos.ca.gov/county-elections-of ces.
OUR PRIMARY 2024 PRIORITIES
WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY IMPORTANT DECISIONS TO MAKE THIS ELECTION. THIS YEAR OUR TOP PRIORITY IS URGING YOU TO VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 5 AND NO ON PROPOSITION 36
Ballot measures are one of the primary ways our votes have a direct effect on the kind of state and communities we live in. We all know that housing and public safety are two of the most critical issues in California for many of us. We believe Prop 5 is critical in unlocking the funds needed to build critical affordable housing and infrastructure. And we believe Prop 36 charts the wrong path for our approach to public safety and human dignity. We urge Californians of faith and spirit to stand with us in these positions.
POSITIONS
YES ON PROPOSITION 5
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
In order to pass local general obligation (GO) bonds for infrastructure projects there is a required two-thirds supermajority. This nearly unachievable threshold severely limits voters' ability to raise funding for transformative community projects, like affordable housing infrastructure, in a time where many of our loved ones can’t afford to stay in California.
= WHAT PROP 5 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
This measure streamlines the ability to nance the production of affordable housing in California by lowering the voting threshold from 2/3 to 55% to approve local general obligation (GO) bonds for infrastructure projects. This measure would support affordable housing, water infrastructure, parks and recreation, and other community infrastructure. The measure would also allow local governments to use innovative nancing tools such as Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs) and Community Revitalization and Investment Authorities (CRIAs) that could issue bonds and provide tax incentives for broadband development.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 5:
Prop 5 is a smart and visionary policy that would expand opportunities for investment in housing. It would also increase broadband access, create jobs, and improve quality of life for all Californians. It is a legislative example of how as a society, we can and should care for everyone. Prop 5 gives power back to the voters to invest in our communities, to provide decent and affordable housing for all, to improve our public infrastructure, to expand our broadband access, to create jobs, and to comprehensively enhance our quality of life.
POSITIONS
NO ON PROPOSITION 36
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
Passed in 2014, Prop 47 reduced certain felonies to misdemeanors; speci cally for non-violent low-level drug and property crimes. Each year, the state savings generated by the implementation of Prop 47 are deposited into the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund. This investment into our communities - into jobs, education, health care, and violence intervention programs - is how we prevent crime before it happens. Prop 47 programs have reduced recidivism and homelessness by 60% among participants, saved taxpayers $103 million in prison costs, and reinvested $68 million in mental health, substance abuse, and trauma recovery services for our communities.
WHAT PROP 36 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
Prop 36 would strip our communities of $750 million in the next decade from mental health, substance treatment, homelessness prevention, and survivors of crime support programs. Meanwhile, budget of cials say this measure will cost taxpayers more than $26 billion in prison costs in the next decade— the biggest prison spending increase in California history. This proposition aims to put our community members in cages, cost taxpayers billions, all while stripping our communities of the necessary supportive programs that make us safer by stopping crime before it happens.
MAIN REASON TO OPPOSE PROP 36:
We will not go back to the dark days of destructive mass incarceration and a failed war on drugs. If putting more people in cages made us safer, California would be the safest place on earth as we already incarcerate more people per capita, than any other democratic nation. All Prop 36 seeks to do is fracture our communities, discriminatorily incarcerate our marginalized community members and leave communities without the resources to live in safety and abundance. Community reentry and diversion programs are proven solutions to increase public safety and ensure whole, healthy communities.
OTHER ISSUES WE’RE TAKING A STAND ON
Your vote for president, Senate, House of Representatives, Judge, and various local races are critical. For our voter guide this year, we are focusing this year on California propositions. Statewide propositions are critical parts of protecting our communities because they allow us to use our voice to directly impact policies that affect our families. This year we are taking a position on 10 California ballot measures and propositions that affect many issues that impact our communities.
POSITIONS
YES ON PROPOSITION 2
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
Thousands of schools in California are in need of repair. Everything from broken air conditioning, leaky roofs, and peeling paint create health and safety hazards. Unlike other states, California does not have a dedicated source of funding for repair of school facilities. This inadvertently impacts lower income schools as more af uent schools are able to raise the funds to make necessary repairs.
WHAT PROP 2 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
This bond measure would authorize California to invest $10 billion - $8.5 billion for K-12 and $1.5 billion to community colleges - to renovate, x, and construct facilities.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 2:
$10 billion is a small price to pay for the massive return on investment we receive long-term by ensuring California students are learning under optimal conditions with facilities and educational centers that are conducive to a productive learning environment.
YES ON PROPOSITION 4
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
Many low-income communities do not have access to clean drinking water in California. In addition, the state needs to dedicate more resources to deal with climate change and this measure would address that need with this bond.
WHAT PROP 4 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
This bond measure would authorize California to invest $10 billion for climate protection programs. This bond measure prioritizes low-income communities with the biggest chunk - $1.9 - billion for drinking water improvements. Other investments include: $1.95 billion for natural-lands, parks and wildlife projects; $1.2 billion for coastal lands, bays and ocean protection; $850 million for clean energy projects; and $300 million for agricultural projects.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 4:
Our air, earth, and water are sacred and our responsibility to protect them and to protect those who rely on them to breathe and drink, is a moral one. 4
POSITIONS
YES ON PROPOSITION 6
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
While California was never a slave state, it does have a history of forced labor. This is a recommendation from the state’s Reparations Task Force to eliminate all forms of slavery - including forced labor - from our state. Incarcerated loved ones currently work for pennies on the dollar and are forced to participate in the institution's workforce on threat of punishment.
WHAT PROP 6 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
This measure would amend the state constitution prohibiting the state from punishing incarcerated Californians with involuntary work assignments and from disciplining those who refuse to work. Essentially, this would end indentured servitude in prisons, the last remnant of slavery.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 6:
Slavery is unacceptable in all forms and has no place in our country. End the exception to slavery today and vote YES on Prop 6.
YES ON PROPOSITION 32
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
People don’t earn enough money to live with dignity and security in California. In our efforts to create A Moral Economy in California, we seek to put money into people’s pockets for their hard work as many in our communities are stuck having to work more than one job to pay the bills.
WHAT PROP 32 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
This measure would raise the state’s minimum wage to $18 an hour. In 2024, businesses with more than 25 employees would be required to start paying $17 in 2024 and $18 in 2025. Those with under 25 employees would be required to start paying $17 in 2025 and $18 in 2026.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 32:
Everyone deserves a living wage for a hard day’s work. Prop 32 is a step in the right direction.
POSITIONS
YES ON PROPOSITION 33
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
Families are unable to afford rising rents in the state and this would build on our work on the Tenant Protections Act (TPA) and the Homelessness Prevention Act (HPA) to ensure Home is Sacred by enacting limits on rent increases across the state.
WHAT PROP 33 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
Allows local governments to impose rent control. This would repeal Costa-Hawkins, a law that limits any local rent control (like SF and LA) and prohibits rent control on single-family homes and apartments built after 1995.
MAIN
REASON TO PASS PROP 33:
Skyrocketing rents are a major cause of homelessness and housing insecurity for so many in California. Rent control is a proven way to keep costs of living affordable so that people can have the sacred right to housing that is critical for communities to be stable and safe.
NO ON PROPOSITION 34
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
Requires certain healthcare providers to use prescription drug revenue for patients. This measure is aimed at preventing healthcare providers like the AIDS foundation and Michael Weinstien (President of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation) from using money to engage in housing & other politics as Weinstein and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation are behind Proposition 33.
MAIN REASON TO OPPOSE 34:
This is a dangerous measure that if passed will allow the groups behind it to potentially target other foundations who fund social justice oriented causes. The AIDS foundation has used its funding to try to repeal Costa-Hawkins so that there is better rent control across the state. This is a personal attack by the landlord and real estate lobby on the AIDS Foundation.