Things I have no choice but to write

Category: vote

Want Proof Your Ballot Has Been Counted?

There is a cool feature in California, which sends you a notification when you ballot has been mailed, received, and counted. Where’s My Ballot, is a feature from the Secretary of State.

I signed up years ago, and I always forget about it. But I dropped my ballot off at the Willow Glen library on Wednesday, and Thursday night got an email that it had been received AND counted. I love it when democracy works! Check it out: https://WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.

Democratic Central Committee: Vote Bill Roth

I have previously posted that I’m running for Santa Clara Valley Water District. This election will be in November of 2024. For more information, see the Elect Bill Roth site. Now it is time to talk about the Democratic Central Committee. This election is part of the partisan primary election in California on March 5th.

I am also running for Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee SCCDCC for Assembly District 28. I am running to be your advocate on the SCCDCC. Let me know your thoughts using this contact form.

What the Heck Is Democratic Central Committee?

In California, the Democratic Central Committee (DCC) plays a pivotal role in shaping and directing the activities of the Democratic Party at the county level. The DCC is essentially the local governing body of the Democratic Party within each county, responsible for coordinating party activities, endorsing candidates, and mobilizing Democratic voters. Comprising elected representatives from each assembly district within the county, the DCC serves as a grassroots organization that reflects the diverse interests and perspectives of local Democrats. Its members are typically elected during the Democratic primary elections, and they work collectively to advance the party’s goals and principles within the county.

The Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee

The main meeting place for members of the Santa Clara County Democratic Party is the Democratic Central Committee meeting, which is the first Thursday of every month.

Democratic Central Committee

The Santa Clara Democratic Party stands as a dynamic and influential force within the political landscape of California’s Santa Clara County. As the local arm of the Democratic Party, the Santa Clara Democratic Party plays a pivotal role in shaping the political narrative, supporting candidates, and engaging the community in the pursuit of progressive values and inclusivity. From candidate endorsements to grassroots organizing, the party’s multifaceted efforts contribute significantly to the advancement of Democratic principles in the region.

Candidate Endorsements

One of the Santa Clara Democratic Party’s primary responsibilities is to endorse and support Democratic candidates across various levels of government. Through a thorough evaluation process, the party identifies candidates who align with its values and vision for the community. Endorsements from the Santa Clara Democratic Party provide candidates with a powerful stamp of approval, signaling to voters that these individuals have earned the trust and backing of the local Democratic community. This support is instrumental in helping candidates navigate the complex landscape of local politics, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration within the Democratic ranks.

Community Engagement and Grassroots Organizing

Beyond the endorsement process, the Santa Clara Democratic Party actively engages with the community through grassroots organizing and outreach efforts. By establishing a presence at the local level, the party aims to connect with residents, understand their concerns, and address the unique challenges facing Santa Clara County. Through town halls, community events, and volunteer initiatives, the party fosters a sense of inclusivity and ensures that the diverse voices within the community are heard and represented in the political process. This commitment to grassroots organizing strengthens the party’s ties to the community, creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration.

Advocacy for Progressive Policies

The Santa Clara Democratic Party serves as a platform for advocating progressive policies that align with the values of equality, social justice, and environmental sustainability. By leveraging its collective influence, the party works to shape local policies that reflect the principles of the Democratic Party, addressing issues such as affordable housing, education, healthcare, and environmental conservation. Through collaboration with elected officials and community leaders, the Santa Clara Democratic Party strives to bring about positive change and contribute to the overall well-being of Santa Clara County residents.

In Santa Clara County, the Democratic Party is not just a political entity; it is a catalyst for positive change and community engagement. The Santa Clara Democratic Party’s activities, ranging from candidate endorsements to grassroots organizing, demonstrate its commitment to fostering a more inclusive, progressive, and responsive local government. As a driving force for democratic ideals, the party continues to play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of Santa Clara County, contributing to a vibrant and participatory democracy.

I’m finally running for something!

Dear Family and Friends:

I am finally running for something! Many of you have known this day would come, and it is now here. I have filed papers with the county to run for the Santa Clara Valley Water District board of directors seat in my area.

This agency is responsible for ensuring clean water for all of Santa Clara County’s 2 Million residents, as well as for industry and agriculture. It has a budget of $860M(FY24: source) per year and is responsible for water management, flood control, and environmental stewardship in the county. Water is a serious business in California, and this is a big job.

The election isn’t until November 5th, 2024, but there at 138,989 (give or take) registered voters in this district, and I’m looking forward to talking to as many of them as I can. To see what I am up to, please subscribe to the newsletter at https://electbillroth.com/, or drop me a line at bill.roth.2024@gmail.com or consider donating.

How to Register to Vote in California – Step-by-Step Guide 2023

I’ve written a lot about voting, so here is a reminder on how to register to vote and update your registration in California.

(TL;DR: Cal residents Register Here. Santa Clara county info here.)

Eligibility to Vote in California

I’ve written a lot about voting, so here is a reminder on how to register and update your registration in California.

Before you register to vote in California, it’s essential to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. In California, you are eligible to register to vote if you are:

  • A U.S. citizen.
  • A California resident.
  • At least 18 years old by Election Day.
  • Not currently in state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony.

Register to Vote Online

  1. Visit the California Secretary of State’s online voter registration portal.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your registration.
  3. Provide your personal information, including your California driver’s license or California identification card number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth.
Register to Vote

Register to Vote by Mail

  1. Download the California Voter Registration Form from the California Secretary of State’s website.
  2. Fill out the form with accurate information.
  3. Mail the completed form to the address provided on the form.

Register to Vote in Person

You can register to vote in person at the following locations:

  • Your county elections office, which is at 1555 Berger Drive, San Jose, 95131
  • The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
  • A designated agency while applying for or renewing your driver’s license or ID card.

Check Your Voter Registration Status

To ensure your registration is up to date, you can check your voter registration status online. Visit the California Secretary of State’s website and follow the instructions provided.

Important Deadlines

  • The deadline to register for an upcoming election is 15 days before Election Day.
  • If you miss the deadline, you can still register and vote provisionally at your county elections office.

Contact Information

For any questions or assistance, reach out to us via the Contact Us form, or you can contact the California Secretary of State’s office here: https://registertovote.ca.gov/

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to participate in the upcoming elections in California. Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard and help shape the future of the state.

My Ballot Picks for November 2022

 It’s time once again to Vote. Here are my votes picks for the November 2022. Many of these will not be a surprise from my June picks. There are also decent voter guides here on the SCCDP website.

Local Races:

Mayor: Cindy Chavez: All Cindy All the Way. See my June picks for more detail.

Sheriff: Both Republicans. Not sure which would be worse. Bob Jonsen has some experience in Palo Alto, and Kevin Jensen was part of the Sheriff’s department when all the craziness was happening. I may write-in someone.

City Council: No race in my district, but if you live downtown in D3, vote for my friend Omar Torres.

State Level

Governor:  Gavin Newsom. Proud of the work he’s doing. Especially around AB2183, the Farm Worker Protection Act.

Lieutenant Governor: Eleni Kounalikis. The incumbent.

Secretary of State: Shirley N. Weber.  Very trustworthy.

Treasurer: Fiona Ma. I have met her. Competent.

Attorney General: Rob Bonta

Insurance commissioner: Ricardo Lara

Member of Board of Equalization, District 2: Sally Lieber. Former State Senator, lives in Palo Alto.

Senator, Full Term: Alex Padilla. Saw him on Oct 23. Very impressive. Proud to have him as a Senator.

Senator, Unexpired Term: Alex Padilla. See above.

Congress: ANNA Eshoo. I have met her several times, a great local person. Proud to be in her district again.

Other Congress: Zoe Lofgren, Jimmy Panetta. I am not in their districts, but I would vote for them if I could. Zoe has done historic work on the Jan 6 commission, and Jimmy’s the real deal. A serious policy person.

State Assembly: Gail Pellerin. She’s backed by people who share my values.

Judicial: No opinion, likely voting Yes for all of them.

School Board: Tony Thurmond, like I have in the past.

The Propositions

Prop 1: The government should not make this choice. People directly affected should. Yes.

Gaming Props

These props are a mess, but I’m in favor of adding this funding stream to state coffers. Yes there are issues that will arise, but the funding should help them be mitigated.
Prop 26: In-Person Gaming. Yes.

Prop 27: Tribal Gaming. Yes.

Other props

Prop 28: Arts and Music Funding: Yes.

Prop 29: Dialysis: I don’t know…..but shouldn’t SOME medical professional be on hand for something like this? Yes, I guess.

Prop 30: Millionaire tax for Air Quality. Yes.

Prop 31: Referendum on prohibiting sale of flavored tobacco. Totally irrational response: this stuff is yukky, so yes, ban it. Voting Yes.

County/City  Props

Prop I: Allow non citizens on the Planning, Civil Service, and Salary Setting Commissions; remove gender-specific language; live up to equity values. Yes.


My ballot picks for the June 2022 Primary

 As I have done in the past, I’m posting my ballot picks for June 7 California Primary. I post these for those that have questions. As I have written in the past, I’m not trying to convince anyone. These are not endorsements, but they are who I’m voting for. (ok, maybe that is kind of like an endorsement, but whatever).

Mayor: Cindy Chavez: https://www.cindychavezformayor.com/

I have seen Cindy in action for 20 years, as part of the local Democratic Party. She is a fierce competitor, as anyone who saw her run against Sam Liccardo 8 years ago will remember. But in my role on the boards of 2 local nonprofits, Sacred Heart Community Service and Gardner Health Services(a community clinic with over 60,000 patients/yr), she has consistently come through for the less fortunate in our community with significant funding on Housing, Homelessness and Rental Assistance, among may other issues. She’s the most experienced candidate who will continue to be a voice for the marginalized, and has a clear vision for a better San Jose. All Cindy, All the Way.

City Council District 3: Omar Torres http://omartorres.org/

I’m not in District 3, but my friend Omar Torres is running there. I’ve seen him operate in the Democratic Party for the last 20 years, and he has matured into quite a capable leader. I trust him on the issues, and I trust his judgment both from a governance perspective as well as from a political perspective. If you live in D3, where he was born and raised in the “La Wash” neighborhood,  he is worthy of your vote. “Go Omar!”

Congress: Anna Eshoo: https://annaeshoo4congress.com/

Anna has been a great supporting of Silicon Valley, and her office assisted me on some activitism back in the day. Vote for her. Ajwan Rading is a young up and coming candidate, but he’s still green on some issues important to the district like patent reform, and did not seem entirely supportive of the Labor Movement in some local events. Great future candidate, but Anna wins this one for me.
For those not in my district, I wholeheartedly recommend 2 great public servants, Zoe Lofgren, and Jimmy Panetta. Zoe’s history speaks for itself. She’s a figure of historic importance. And I have been in party Zoom meetings with Jimmy, and he’s the real deal, and I know his father is proud. He’s a serious, policy oriented House member, with detailed knowledge about issues that affect our area.

Governor: Gavin Newsom: https://gavinnewsom.com/

Looks, I had my doubts about him. Was he just a glory-chasing celebrity pol? Ok, maybe a smidge, but he’s been governing well and doing a good job working with the legislature.

The rest of the state offices:

Insurance Commissioner: Ricardo Lara: https://ricardolara.com/

Don’t know much about him, but as the incumbent, if I did, it would be because he was messing up. Re-elect.

Senate(Partial Term), and Senate: Alex Padilla: https://alex-padilla.com/

I’m proud to have him as my senator. Since he’s filling in Kamala’s team, you have to vote for him for the rest of the year, AND for the next team. It’s California law, don’t blame me.

Assembly Member: Rob Rennie: http://robrennie.com

Los Gatos City Council member, and strong environmentalist, as well as an engineer. 2 thumbs up.

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tony K. Thurmond: https://www.tonythurmond.com/

Doing well, re-elect.

Supervisor: Susan Ellenberg: https://www.susanellenberg.com/

On the right side (my side) of all the issues. Deserves re-election.

Assessor: Larry Stone: https://www.larrystoneforassessor.com/

Doing a good job in a tough office, and always pleasant to talk to.

District Attorney: Sajid Khan: http://votesajid.com

This is a difficult one for me. On the one hand Jeff Rosen has been a decent Democratic attorney District Attorney. On the other hand I’ve been frustrated with him at being too close to the San Jose police and not following up on the various stories of police misbehavior. He’s been mildly progressive come up but I think we deserve more. Also, district attorneys do not have term limits, and it’s time for a change. I do not want to be in a situation like back in the days with George Kennedy where we have an imperial District Attorney for 25 years. I support Sajid Khan because he’d be a progressive District Attorney and would look to lessen the carceral state, by looking for other alternatives other than jail for people with minor offenses. As a public defender, he’s had a front row seat at viewing prosecutorial misconduct and prosecutorial overreach. I hope that this will moderate his approach to law enforcement.

Sherriff: Christine Nagaye: https://www.nagayeforsheriff.com/

This is one of those races where there are not too many good choices. Nearly all of the candidates are associated with the existing corrupt regime in the Sheriff’s Office, or are Republicans. I would normally vote for Ahn Colton because she’s not even a member of the Sheriff’s Department, but as of 2020 she was a registered republican, and that’s just a bridge too far for me these days. She’s not a serious candidate either, as she doesn’t even have a website. Christine Nagaye is at least registered as a Democrat. God help us.

Measure A: Vote No.

Measure B: Yes, I guess?

This measure seeks to move the San Jose mayoral elections to the presidential election year. The idea is that more people vote during presidential elections and therefore we would have greater voter participation. OK, I ‘spose. I’m not sure I follow this logic, because I think having elections more than once every four years it is important. Moreover, if you believe there are a fixed number of people working on elections this would essentially dilute campaigns and make them much less effective. It is also important to remind people that we live in a democracy and that as voters we have a responsibility to keep our elected officials in check frequently. And frequently fighting for democracy is important these days given the attack mounted against it. (See: Jan 6). 

My ballot picks for Nov 6 2018

I have done a post on my ballot picks for the last couple of elections. Here are my picks for November 2018.

Since some of my choices are the same as the primary, I’ll refer to that post for brevity.

Governor: Gavin Newsom. Not a tough call. See primary post for more details.

Lt. Governor: Eleni Kounalakis. See primary post.

Secretary of State: Alex Padilla. Primary post.

Controller: Betty Yee. Primary Post.

Treasurer: Fiona Ma. Still impressed. See primary post.

Attorney General: Xavier Becerra.See primary post.

Insurance Commissioner: Ricardo Lara. Primary post.

Member, Board of Eq., District 2: Malia Cohen. Primary post.

US Senator: OK, this is tough one, but I stand by my primary support for KDL, in spite of Senator Feinstein’s performance during the Kavanaugh hearings. (Sorry Anna).

House: Zoe Lofgren, for as long as she runs…..

State Assembly: Evan Low, primary post.

Judicial offices: I have not heard of any of them, so Yes to all.

State School Superintendent:Tony Thurmond. While my hijada is doing well at her Charter school, I think we need to support people of the current system. (I might have goofed in the primary.

County Supe: Don Rocha. Has the experience we need. And a nice guy too.

Sheriff: John Hirokawa. See primary post….too many scandals under Smith.

The State Propositions

1: Housing Bond: Yes. We have a serious housing crisis.

2: Bond for homeless/mental illness housing: Yes.

3: Infrastructure Bond: Yes.

4: Hospital Construction for Children’s healthcare: Yes

5: Changing requirements for tax treatment when people over 55 sell homes. OK, this is totally selfish, but I gotta retire some day, and I’ll be up for this in 2 year. Shameful, yes…but I’ll take my tax break for myself and my family.

6: Eliminating Road repair and transportation funding: No. Public safety issue.

7: Approval for State Legislature to change Daylight Savings Time. I hate this one, and I don’t care. So No.

8: Regulating Dialysis Treatment Payments. Why are we deciding this? Vote no.

10: Rent Control (Costa-Hawkins): We need to have affordable housing. Yes.

11: Making private ambulance drivers on-call during breaks. Again, why? I suppose Yes.

12: Setting farm animal enclosure standards. Seriously?! Voting no out of a fit of pique.

Local Propositions

A: Continue 1/8 cent sales tax. Yes.

S: Streamlines procurement, adjusts some thresholds. Yes.

T: Disaster Preparedness Bond: Yes.

U: Charter Amendments: Sure. Why not.

V: Local housing bond. Yes. See previous comments on housing.

Vote Picks for 2016 for Santa Clara County, Assembly District 28, Willow Glen (ish)

As many of you know, I obsess about politics the way other people do about sports. This has been the most interesting election cycle of my lifetime, both good and bad. I’ve been pouring over the my ballot, and I get excited when I get my State Voter Guide, which is online. and below are my picks for 2016 all the way down. Feel free to start a conversation on this.

My Picks:

  • President/VP: Clinton/Kaine
  • Senator: Kamala Harris. Look, I love Loretta Sanchez as a person, and I recognize and appreciate what she’s done in Garden Grove. But Harris is a serious candidate, and a historic candidate
  • Congress: Zoe Lofgren, now and forever. Proud to have her as my representative in Congress.
  • State Senator: Jim Beall.
  • Assembly: Evan Low
  • San Jose Unified School District: Pam Foley.
  • East Side Union School District. Pattie Cortese
  • City Council: Helen Chapman. Dev Davis is a Republican.
  • Open Space District: Dorsey Moore. PLO is just ballot riding.
  • Prop 51: Yes. Its the only way we can legitimately fund schools in California
  • Prop 52: Yes. Why is this not in the legislature?
  • Prop 53: No. Would make raising revenue for worthy projects harder
  • Prop 54: Yes. Seems reasonable that legislation should be public 72 hours ahead of time.
  • Prop 55: Yes. Proud to extend this, and to pay it. We have to find education somehow.
  • Prop 56: Yes. Leads to a healthier population
  • Prop 57: Yes. Part of the on-going criminal justice reform
  • Prop 58: Yes. Preserves the status quo. Common language is a unifier. I’d also like to see mandatory Spanish as well. Maybe in the future.
  • Prop 59: Yes. Allowing for proposal and ratification of an amendment to overturn Citizens United
  • Prop 60: Blank. Ummm, really? I have to vote on this?
  • Prop 61: Yes. Lowers drug prices. 
  • Prop 62: Yes. End the Death Penalty. Seamless Garment.
  • Prop 63: Yes. Background check for ammo. Guns don’t kill people, bullets do.
  • Prop 64: Yes. 420 dood. Then tax it. See Aquinas: “lex humana dicitur aliqua permittere, non quasi ea approbans, sed quasi ea dirigere non potens.” (ST 1-2.93.3.3)
  • Prop 65: Yes. Grudgingly. The bag ban is an example of the nanny state. Do you know how many groceries I have left in the parking lot because of this ban? But this redirects money to environmental causes.
  • Prop 66: No. Seems to me like taking away due process rights
  • Prop 67: No. See Prop 65. How much pasta sauce do I need to leave in the Safeway parking lot?
  • Measure A: Yes. We have the largest per-capita homeless population. We need to fix it.
  • Measure B: Yes. Traffic is a mess, future generations need BART. Yes to the sales tax.
  • Measure E: Yes. Be fair on offering extra hours. I have seen this abused.
  • Measure F: Yes. Its a decent compromise. Lets rebuild SJPD.
  • Measure G: Yes. Yes to Business Tax.
  • Measure X: Yes. Supports Job Training
  • Measure Y: Yes. More Property Tax to improve San Jose Schools.

My Current Senate map:

As extra credit: At this writing, my Senate Map looks like this. My current prediction is  50/50 split with VP breaking tie.

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