By Doug Porter
A big deal is being made over the large percentage of California voters who’ve opted to use the vote-by-mail ballots. While right-wing efforts in other states are focused on Voter ID laws and other variants of Jim Crow, the don’t vote effort here on the left coast is focused on spreading doubt about the reliability of the mail in system.
A mistake in mailing out ballots in Sacramento becomes evidence of a state-wide “glitch ridden ballot system”, according to Breitbart.com. Their “concern” is sooo touching. They’d like you to be afraid of mail-in voting, mostly because they’re afraid that other-than-Republican voters are discovering how easy it can be to use.
Sadly, a disturbing large percentage of those ballots will be left out of the count because people never got around to filling them out. If you’re one of those people who’ve put off filling out your ballot, here’s a handy-dandy cheat sheet designed to help you vote in ways that really will scare the hell of the Breitbart types.
Two things to remember:
- You can drop off your mail in ballot at locations all over the county through Monday. Those locations are accepting ballots during their regular business hours.
- You do NOT have to fill out the entire ballot. Don’t know who those judges are? Don’t vote for them. (Except to vote against Ken Gosselin for Superior Court Judge)
Symbols Guide:
Endorsed by the OB Rag and San Diego Free Press
Endorsed by Democratic Party
Critical Contest
Please don’t vote for this fool
Statewide Races – Hyperlinked sub-heads lead to articles on this topic
Ballot Propositions
Proposition 1 
Water, Cool Clear Water- Voter Approval for the Water Quality Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014
Supporters: Yes on Props 1 and 2, A Bi-Partisan Coalition of Business, Labor, Republicans, Democrats and Governor also: yesonprops1and2.com
Opponents: Californians Against More Debt, Misplaced Spending – No on Prop 1 also:noonprop1.org
Big public works funding is complicated and necessitates building coalitions (which you get by promising a piece of the action) that are extraordinary in nature. I’ve concluded this is a question of perfect being the enemy of the “meh”.
Proposition 2
The Devil is in the Details –State Budget. Budget Stabilization Account. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
Supporters: Yes on Props 1 and 2, A Bi-Partisan Coalition of Business, Labor, Republicans, Democrats and Governor, also: yesonprops1and2.com
Opponents: No on Prop 2. also: Educate Or State
Everybody who’s anybody in the political establishment loves Proposition 2. Both political parties, both gubernatorial candidates, Chamber(s) of Commerce, the League of Women Voters of California, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, several large unions and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association have all endorsed it.
Proposition 45
The People Who Opposed Obamacare Have a Proposition for You – Healthcare Insurance. Rate Changes. Initiative Statute.
Supporters: Consumer Watchdog, yeson45.org
Opponents: Californians Against Higher Health Care Costs, stophighercosts.org
Never: The last time a bunch of insurance companies spent money on a political campaign to benefit you. And the ads saying it threatens the Affordable Care Act are bullshit.
Proposition 46 SOME OF US have changed our mind about this and are voting “No’
Bringing the Drug War to Your Doctor’s Office – Drug and Alcohol Testing of Doctors. Medical Negligence Lawsuits. Initiative Statute.
Supporters: Yes on 46, Consumer Watchdog
Opponents: No on 46
I think people should be able to sue for more money for pain and suffering. Doctors should have to cross check prescriptions for controlled substances. The medical profession needs a lot of policing, including a stringent (non-peer) review process. (not covered in this measure)
Proposition 47 
The Incarceration Industry Wants You to Be Afraid –Criminal Sentences. Misdemeanor Penalties. Initiative Statute.
Supporters: Californians for Safe Neighborhoods and Schools
Opponents: Alliance for a Safer California
If “Yes on 47? passes, California will be the first state to end felony sentencing for drug possession and petty theft crimes. This would permanently reduce incarcerations and shift one billion dollars, over the next five years, from state corrections to K-12 school programs and mental health and drug treatment. I love the sound of that. And it’s about time we get our minds off punishing people and focus on helping them become better human beings.
Proposition 48
Are Casinos Coming to Your Neighborhood? – Indian Gaming Compacts. Referendum.–
Supporters: Yes on Prop. 48. Voters for Central Valley Jobs & Environment – A Coalition Tribes, Labor Orgs, Busns & Environ Grps Yes on Proposition 48
Opponents: No on Prop. 48 – Keep Vegas Style Casinos Out of Neighborhoods – A Project of Stand Up for California, Stand Up for California, Stop Reservation Shopping
What Proposition 48 comes down to is an effort by the tribes that already have casinos (currently grossing $7 billion annually) to stop tribes that don’t from competing with them.
Statewide Races
Governor
Jerry Brown, Democrat
http://www.jerrybrown.org/
As much as Republicans would like to trash California’s economy, the general public knows things are better now than they were four years ago. The incumbent Governor has zigzagged his way across the political landscape to the distress of some Democrats and most of the Republican hierarchy.
Neel Kashkarian, Republican
http://www.neelkashkari.com/
Wants to turn California into the libertarian paradise that is South Dakota.
Lieutenant Governor
Gavin Newsom, Democrat
http://www.gavinnewsom.com
The former mayor of San Francisco is considered a rising star in Democratic politics. Newsome has had his differences with Jerry Brown; I’d say he runs just a tad to the left of the governor. Gavin is also a pragmatist, working the political system with an eye towards future elections.
Ron Nehring, Republican
http://www.ronnehring.com/
Long time Republican activist Ron Nehring is more socially conservative than Neel Kashkari, but they’re both campaigning on the premise that California’s economy would be just so much better with them in charge.
Secretary of State
Alex Padilla, Democrat
http://www.alex-padilla.com
He’s considered one of the Latino rising stars in politics. Given that one of the most important things this position does is handling the registration of voters, it would seem to be the smart thing to do to have somebody who’s promising to increase access to voter registration materials, including via the expanded use of social media.
Pete Peterson, Republican
http://www.petesos.com
Peterson seems to be the favorite of many of the State’s newspaper editorial boards in that he is a) Republican and b) actually qualified. I guess they’re concerned with maintaining the illusion of a two party system in California.
Controller
Betty T. Yee, Democrat
http://bettyyee.com/
She defeated Assemblyman John A. Pérez in the June primary, a Democrat who many assumed was the party’s likely candidate. Yee’s speech before the California Democratic convention calling upon the party to be true to its ideals and not a handmaiden for corporate interests has made her a darling of progressives throughout the state.
Ashley Swearengin, Republican
http://www.ashleyforca.com
It seems as though Swearengin’s track record as mayor has been given a pass. The city’s broke, unemployment’s so high that Neel Kashkari chose Fresno for his homeless for a week stunt, and her penchant for secrecy doesn’t seem to bother those who think a token Republican in Sacramento would be a good thing.
Treasurer
John Chiang, Democrat
http://www.electjohnchiang.com
Chiang’s making the move over from the Controller’s office, where his tenacity in challenging political/economic assumptions from both the executive and legislative branches has given him a solid reputation as a competent manager. When the San Francisco Bay Guardian and UT-San Diego agree on a candidate he must be doing something right.
Greg Conlon, Republican
http://www.gregconlon.com
Thinks he’s going to have a Republican legislature to pass his programs.
Attorney General
Kamala Harris, Democrat, Incumbent
http://www.kamalaharris.org
She’s another rising star for Democrats. Her tenure as Attorney General has raised her profile as a pro-consumer advocate.
Ronald Gold, Republican
http://www.rongold.org
He’s a private practice attorney who served as a Deputy Attorney General four decades ago. His campaign site says “the legalization of marijuana is an issue whose time has come.” And that position is just about the only traction Ronald Gold has been able to come up with against Harris, whose campaigning style in this election is not that different than Jerry Brown’s.
Insurance Commissioner
Dave Jones, Democrat
http://www.davejones2014.com
Jones played tough with some of California’s big health insurance companies when the insurance exchanges that are part of Obamacare were set up, leading to fears consumer choices would be too limited to be meaningful. Like the death panels and just about every other tale told about the Affordable Healthcare Act, those concerns were proven wrong in the end.
Ted Gaines, Republican
http://www.tedgaines.com
There’s so much wrong here I’m not even going to start. If you’re willing to believe the underlying premises for his campaign materials, please get in touch with me. I’ve got discount toll passes for the Coronado Bridge I’d like to sell you.
State Superintendent of Education
(Officially Non Partisan)
Tom Torlakson (Pssst! He’s a Democrat)
http://www.tomtorlakson.com
Torlakson is the incumbent and, judging by the list of people and organizations supporting him and opposing him, a really good guy. . This race has become a symbolic struggle between supporters of public education and the faux reform set.
**Be sure to read SDFP’s Jim Miller’s analysis on this most important race.**
Marshall Tuck (Pssst! He wants you to think he’s a Democrat)
http://www.marshalltuck.com
Former Wall Street investment banker Marshall Tuck is in it to win it for the people and companies who think privatization of education is a winning idea.
District 6 – City Council
Carol Kim, Democrat
Ballotpedia Page
Campaign Website
Facebook Page
Chris Cate, Republican
Ballotpedia Page
Campaign Website
Facebook Page
Escondido Mayor
Olga Diaz, Democrat
Whatever the future holds for her, it’s a safe bet that she will take along her unfailing dedication to the people that she will serve and her common sense approach to handling issues. Her caring manner and strong work ethic will land her firmly on top of whatever hill she decides to climb next.
Sam Abed, Republican
The only branch library in the (Escondido) system was first closed, then liquidated, and then leased off to his friend and economic advisory committee member Dennis Synder for a charter school; expelling 3 long-term tenants in the process.
The 52nd Congressional District
Scott Peters, Democrat
Ballotpedia Page
Campaign Website
Facebook Page
Peters may be a corporate Democrat, but he’s light years better than his opponent. Vote for Not Carl DeMaio
Carl DeMaio, Republican, Political Sociopath
Ballotpedia Page
Campaign Website
Facebook Page
The 50th Congressional District
James Kimber, Democrat
Ballotpedia Page
Campaign Website
Facebook Page
Kimber’s no La Jolla liberal, but he’s be a big improvement over the right-wing nut job currently occupying the 50th District Congressional seat.
Duncan D. Hunter, Republican
Ballotpedia Page
Campaign Website
Facebook Page
Hunter came in first in the polling of Congressional staffers as “Best Party Animal” in the House of Representatives… recently took a break from his busy social schedule to appear on Fox host Greta van Susteren’s program to announce the Border Patrol had told him about “At least ten ISIS fighters have been caught coming across the border in Texas.”
The 49th Congressional District
Dave Peiser, Democrat
Campaign Site
Ballotpedia Page
Facebook Page
Democrat David Peiser has walked into this lion’s den of reactionary politics to challenge Issa this year. The Encinitas resident is running on a platform focusing on climate change action, job creation, and improving the Affordable Care Act. But mostly he’s running on the fact that he’s not Darrell Issa. There’s a nifty social media campaign running using the hashtags #FireIssa, #HirePeiser.
Darrell Issa, Republican
Campaign Site
Ballotpedia Page
Facebook Page
Issa’s questionable past has been covered in detail many times by many publications. Here are a couple of links worth reading for further information.
San Diego Community College District
Donna Woodrum
vs.
Maria Neito Senour
Peter Zschiesche
vs.
Lan Jefferson
California State Senate & Assembly Races
None of these are competitive. Read the above link if you have questions. Otherwise, vote along party lines.
Voter Resources
The League of Women Voter’s Smart Voterwebsite offers links to just about every major candidate and issue you might want to look into this year.
The State of California Voter Information Guide (that newsprint booklet you got in the mail back in September) is mostly viewable as pdf files, which can be slow to load and hard to read on mobile devices.
Maplight’s Voter’s Edge site gives you information based on your home address about major statewide candidates and propositions–it is especially good if you want to “follow the money.”
Project Vote Smart allows you research any politician and any issue, provided you know what it is you’re looking for. For instance, I typed in “Darrell Issa” and quickly learned that he’s got $3,373,667.67 stashed away for campaigning in a district that’s overwhelmingly Republican. (Why? Because he can.)
Democratic Party Endorsements: SD County, SD Democrats for Equality, Escondido Dems,California Democratic Party
Republican Party Endorsements: SD County, California Republican Assembly (So you know who not to vote for)
Green Party Endorsements: Green Party of of San Diego
Libertarian Party Endorsements: San Diego Libertarian Party
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
why did you waste the paper this is written on…. You could just say VOTE straight democrat… So obvious…. Lots of thinking there…