In five days, millions of Californians can influence the future. On Tuesday, June 6, the statewide primary election will be held, the outcome of which will likely decide the fall elections. Sadly, mid-term election races don’t attract the crowds they should, nor are the majority of people prepared to cast their votes.
One needs only look at the last two presidential elections to understand that every vote counts. As a country, our present situations might be drastically different had more people cared enough to take the time to understand the issues, the candidates and what was at stake.
There is plenty at stake in California.And on Tuesday, we have the opportunity to choose the people that will help shape our destiny.One race in particular, the 41st district assembly seat — which encompasses Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Encino, Hidden Hills, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Port Hueneme, Oak Park, Santa Monica, Tarzana, Topanga,Woodland Hills and portions of Oxnard and Westlake Village — will affect local residents the most.
There are seven candidates vying for the seat, three of whom live in Santa Monica. This legislator will help guide reforms in education, the environment, development, transportation and traffic issues, as well as an untold number of issues facing the Westside and along the coast.
While the majority of them have campaigned on those issues, their stances and plans differ from one another. While we aren’t endorsing candidates, we do feel it would be in local residents’ best interests if they voted for one of Santa Monica’s own.
To learn more about the candidates for the 41st Assembly District, log on to www.aroundthecapitol.com/elections/AD41.
On the county level, there are 28 candidates seeking eight judge seats. It’s between two candidates for county assessor; five for sheriff and three for supervisor.
For more on the county races, log on to www.lavote.net. The statewide elective offices are equally important — these are people who will be controlling our money, our economy, and ultimately, our quality of lives in California. After deciphering their campaign rhetoric, voters need to discern who is best suited for the job.
There are nine statewide contests — 16 candidates for governor; nine for lieutenant governor; seven for secretary of state; 11 for controller; seven for treasurer; six for attorney general; five for superintendent of public instruction; seven for insurance commissioner; and within the four districts of the board of equalization there are a total 27 candidates. In addition, there are races to be decided in 53 Congressional districts, and 20 state senate and 80 state assembly seats. Log on to http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_cand.htm or vote-circle.com for more information on the candidates.
Two propositions will appear on the ballot, asking voters to take on debt to fund libraries and the other to raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for a statewide preschool program.
Proposition 81 is the “Public Library Bond Act,” a $600 million bond for local library facilities. The state government would use the bond to give grants to local governments to construct new libraries, expand and renovate existing ones, acquire land for additional libraries and equip them. It would cost an estimated $1.2 billion to pay off the bond.
Proposition 82 is the “Public Preschool Funding Initiative.” The program would provide voluntary and free preschool for 4-year-olds for one year. The proposal is to tax individuals who make more than $400,000 a year and couples that earn $800,000 at a rate of 1.7 percent. It would generate about $2.1 billion in 2007-08, growing to about $2.6 billion in 2010- 11 — when the preschool program would be open to all 4-year-olds in the state.
Log on to www.voterguide.ss.ca.gov for more information on the propositions.
Find your polling place by logging on to www.lavote.net or call 1-800- 815-2666. Don’t squander your democratic right by staying home on Election Day. Participate and be part of the solutions.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 2, 2006. Read the original PDF.