2020 Voter Guide

Harm-reduction edition

I was going to write my own voter guide but there are several really good ones out there which I'll link to below. I'll share a few of my own comments for the most important state propositions below, as well as a few local races and measures. This is my personal ballot which is Pasadena-based. I may offer some thoughts on other regions for which people have questions.

Before getting to my recommendation let me get this out of the way: everything on the ballot of a half-measure, a band-aid, or a harm-reduction strategy. Capitalism has reached a level of social destruction unseen in my lifetime and the real solution to the problems facing us are ending racial capitalism and the institutions that prop it up, like police and sheriff departments, ICE, and many federal obstacles like the electoral college, the Senate, and the Supreme Court. However, this is the ballot we have and doing the best we can on election day remains an important step, in my opinion.

So, in the spirit of harm-reduction, here are my ballot recommendations.

Mayor of Pasadena: Terry Tornek

There is no good choice in this election. Both Tornek and Gordo are cautious, relatively conservative politicians. Both have opposed civilian oversight of the police department as recently as the March 2020 primary. Both oppose rent control. Both claim to support ending homelessness and building affordable housing but do little to realize these goals. It is my opinion, however, that Terry Tornek is the safer bet.

All the most reactionary and conservative elements of Pasadena are lining up behind Gordo. Caught on the outside of the current police reform efforts he has tried to sabotage Tornek’s efforts and then when a preliminary vote passed unanimously tried to take credit for it. The reality is that he has taken thousands of dollars from the Pasadena Police Officers Association (the police union) and opposed limits on the Police Chief. Tornek, on the other hand, rose to the moment and created a solution—albeit a weak, half-baked solution, but also somewhat hampered by the constraints of the city charter.

On the other hand, Tornek has continually blown off community activists and treated us as an annoyance and an obstacle to his expert running of the city. He refuses to even consider protections for tenants.

Finally, Tornek will probably not seek another term whereas Gordo will be hard to unseat if he wins. For all these reasons I’m voting for Terry Tornek.

California State Senate (25th district): Anthony Portantino

California State Assembly (41st district): Chris Holden

US House of Representatives (28th district): Adam Schiff

LA County District Attorney: George Gascón

This one is important. Jackie Lacey must go!

Judge of the Superior Court (Office 72): Myanna Dellinger

Judge of the Superior Court (Office 80): Klint James McKay

STATE AND LOCAL MEASURES

Pasadena Measure P: Yes

Pasadena Measure O: Yes

LA County Measure J: Yes

Crucial to the future of overpoliced Black and Brown communities in Los Angeles County. Measure J would permanently allocate 10% of county unrestricted funds—off the top—to community investments and alternatives to incarceration such as youth programs, mental health services, job creation, and affordable housing.

Prop 14: No

Not as great as it sounds. KNOCK.LA and DSA-LA has a pretty good write up on this.

Prop 15: Yes

This is arguably the most important initiative on the California ballot. Prop 15 will reclaim $10-12 billion annually by requiring wealthy owners of commercial properties with assessed value over $3 million to pay taxes based on market value, rather than purchase price. Since 1978, commercial and industrial property owners have benefited from Prop 13 along with private homeowners and the result has been devastating for California schools and city budgets.

Prop 16: Yes

Prop 17: Yes

Everyone should be allowed to vote. Period.

Prop 18: Yes

Prop 19: ?

Prop 20: No

Prop 21: Yes

Another crucial step toward economic justice for working class Californians. Prop 21 would replace Costa-Hawkins (a law that prohibits cities from applying rent control measures to buildings built after 1995. If Prop 21 passes, local municipalities will be able to apply rent control measures to buildings that are older than 15 year old on a rolling basis. It would also allow for some vacancy decontrol. But trust me, landlords can still take plenty of your hard earned money under Prop 21.

Prop 22: No

Prop 22 is funded by Uber, Lyft, and Postmates to circumvent a California State law which requires them to treat their drives like decent human beings. They’ve spent over $181 million to pass Prop 22. Maybe they should just take care of their drivers.

Prop 23: Yes

Prop 24: Mixed opinions on this, but I’m voting yes.

Prop 25: No

Updated 10/6: This one is pretty complicated. Ending cash bail is a good thing but most, if not all, the progressive criminal justice organizations I follow (including the ones linked below) are saying NO on 25. But there is some difference of opinion on this in the labor movement.

President & Vice President of the United States: Joe Biden & Kamala Harris

This is not ideal. I get it. But I consider my vote for Joe Biden an anti-fascist action. Removing Donald Trump from office is an urgent priority. We’ll live to fight another day and keep up the pressure for Medicare for All, student loan forgiveness, free college education, worker protections, abolishing ICE, and so much more.

For reference, I highly recommend the DSA-LA Voter Guide, KNOCK.LA Voter Guide, and the Justice LA Voter Guide.