Register to Vote

TODAY, Monday, October 19th is the last day to register to vote. If you haven’t registered yet click the button above and register now.

Voting is our voice in our democracy. Using that voice is the way we each make our own decisions about what we want for our country. These decisions are complex for all of us, so much so that sometimes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are sometimes left out. It doesn’t need to be this way.

The Disability Vote California coalition created two helpful guides, one for family members and supporters, and one for service providers. The guides offer practical advice and resources on how to use Supported Decision-Making to help the people with I/DD in your life make their own choices in this and every other election. You can find the guides here:

• Supported Decision-Making Empower Their Right to Vote! (Family Members and Supporters)
• Supported Decision-Making Empower Their Right to Vote! (Service Providers)

A democracy is at its strongest when every voice is heard with equal clarity. This must include the voices of people with I/DD. Please support the voters with disabilities in your life as there is no easier way to make an immediate, positive impact than through the ​power of our vote.

For more information and resources to empower California’s disability vote visit www.DisabilityVoteCA.org

Join members of Disability Vote California online for virtual Voter Office Hours each Tuesday from 3:00 – 4:00 PM from now through election day. Voting experts from The Arc of California, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers | Disability Organization Network, Disability Rights California, and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will be available each week to answer any questions you might have about voting in the election. If you have questions about voting by mail, drop boxes, voting in person, voting accessibility, or anything else please drop by!

Anyone with a question about voting can join. Traducción en español esta disponible.

Join the Voter Office Hours to ask your questions by visiting bit.ly/votersca or watch live on the following Facebook pages The Arc of California, SCDD, or CFILC.

Join us on our Facebook page TOMORROW October 6^th at 4:00 PM for the premiere of Election 2020 It’s Your Choice, a non-partisan roundtable discussion on how voters with disabilities make decisions before we vote.

Our vote is our voice. Yet finding credible sources of information is challenging for every voter. So much so that voting itself can be intimidating. Our democracy is important, and it needs all of our voices to work.

Election 2020 It’s Your Choice offers an informative, calm alternative to the partisan shouting. If you are planning to vote in the upcoming election join us tomorrow.

Speakers:

• Sascha Bittner, Voter and Activist
• Howard McBroom, Advocate, Easterseals
• Kecia Weller, Self-Advocacy and Community Liaison, UCLA Tarjan Center
• Wesley Witherspoon, Consumer Advocate USC UCEDD
• Moderator: Christian McMahon, The Arc of California

Ballot measure, also known as Propositions, are a piece of proposed legislation that is either approved or rejected by voters rather than legislators. This year Californians will vote on 12 different statewide propositions, some of which will directly impact people with disabilities. With all the media surrounding propositions with message to support or reject certain propositions it can be hard to tell what the proposition would actual do and the impact it could potentially have on the day to day lives of Californians. Propositions are direct democracy and your vote on each matters. This year the Propositions are numbered from Prop 14 – Prop 25. Below is a summary of each and if you want to read (or hear through the audio file on the website) the full text of any of the Propositions you can find them in the Voter’s Guide on the Secretary of State website at: https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/index.htm

Prop 14 AUTHORIZES BONDS CONTINUING STEM CELL RESEARCH.

Authorizes $5.5 billion state bonds for: stem cell and other medical research, including training; research facility construction; administrative costs. Dedicates $1.5 billion to brain-related diseases. Appropriates General Fund moneys for repayment. Expands related programs.

Prop 15 INCREASES FUNDING SOURCES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES BY CHANGING TAX ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY.

Taxes such properties based on current market value, instead of purchase price.

Prop 16 ALLOWS DIVERSITY AS A FACTOR IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND CONTRACTING DECISIONS. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Permits government decision-making policies to consider race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in order to address diversity by repealing constitutional provision prohibiting such policies. Fiscal Impact: No direct fiscal effect on state and local entities.

Prop 17 RESTORES RIGHT TO VOTE AFTER COMPLETION OF PRISON TERM.

Restores voting rights upon completion of prison term to persons who have been disqualified from voting while serving a prison term

Prop 18 AMENDS CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION TO PERMIT 17-YEAR-OLDS TO VOTE IN PRIMARY AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS IF THEY WILL TURN 18 BY THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION AND BE OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE

Allow first-time voters to participate in a full election cycle provided that they are 18 by the time of the general election.

Prop 19 CHANGES CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RULES.

Allows homeowners who are over 55, disabled, or wildfire/disaster victims to transfer primary residence’s tax base to replacement residence. Changes taxation of family-property transfers. Establishes fire protection services fund

Prop 20 RESTRICTS PAROLE FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES CURRENTLY CONSIDERED TO BE NON-VIOLENT. AUTHORIZES FELONY SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES CURRENTLY TREATED ONLY AS MISDEMEANORS

Limits access to parole program established for non-violent offenders who have completed the full term of their primary offense by eliminating eligibility for certain offenses.

Prop 21 EXPANDS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS’ AUTHORITY TO ENACT RENT CONTROL ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.

Allows local governments to establish rent control on residential properties over 15 years old. Local limits on rate increases may differ from statewide limit.

Prop 22 EXEMPTS APP-BASED TRANSPORTATION AND DELIVERY COMPANIES FROM PROVIDING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TO CERTAIN DRIVERS.

Classifies app-based drivers as “independent contractors,” instead of “employees,” and provides independent-contractor drivers other compensation, unless certain criteria are met.

Prop 23 ESTABLISHES STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR KIDNEY DIALYSIS CLINICS. REQUIRES ON-SITE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

Requires physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant on site during dialysis treatment. Prohibits clinics from reducing services without state approval. Prohibits clinics from refusing to treat patients based on payment source. F

Prop 24 AMENDS CONSUMER PRIVACY LAWS.

Permits consumers to: prevent businesses from sharing personal information, correct inaccurate personal information, and limit businesses’ use of “sensitive personal information,” including precise geolocation, race, ethnicity, and health information. Establishes California Privacy Protection Agency.

Prop 25 REFERENDUM ON LAW THAT REPLACED MONEY BAIL WITH SYSTEM BASED ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND FLIGHT RISK.

A “Yes” vote approves, and a “No” vote rejects, law replacing money bail with system based on public safety and flight risk.