UPDATED: Bernie Sanders in San Diego on Sunday.
By Doug Porter
If you haven’t voted in San Diego yet, now is the time to get focused, and I’m here to help.
While there are many candidates and issues on the ballot, let me remind readers that a Yes vote on Proposition I will have the most immediate impact locally. More than 170,000 hard-working San Diegans will get a badly needed, overdue raise and access to five earned sick days a year.
What I hope to do here today is offer one-stop shopping for those of you just getting around to making your ballot box decisions.
Plus: Scroll down for the SDFP Weekly Progressive Calendar including locations for various election night gatherings around San Diego. (This will be updated as new information comes in)
Word is that Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is coming to town this weekend. (GOTV concert and rally featuring Nahko and Medicine for the People, Michael Mowgli & The Altruists, Joel Rafael, and special guests George Lopez, Shailene Woodley, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, Kendrick Sampson and Dr. Cornel West., Qualcomm Stadium Northeast Parking Lot, Sunday. June 5, 3pm. RSVP Here.)
Hillary Clinton came to town yesterday and ripped Donald Trump a new one. And there was fighting in the streets of San Jose last night following a Trump event. Now, down to the nitty gritty…
How Do I Vote? (And other such questions)
At this point in the game, if you haven’t registered to vote, you’re not voting in this election. There are more than 2.3 million Californian’s who’ve registered in recent months. Democrats are thinking they’ll get a big turn out.
The most often asked question this election cycle comes from No Party Preference Voters who want to cast a ballot for Bernie Sanders.
Here’s how it’s done:
California has semi-closed primaries, which means that if you’re not registered as a Democrat or No Party Preference you can’t vote for Sanders.
If you are registered as No Party Preference, be sure to ask for the Democratic ballot if you want to vote for Bernie! (Or Hillary)
And, no, the forces of evil (aka The Establishment) didn’t rig the rules for this election just to trip up the Sanders campaign; it’s been this way for a while. ALSO, the rumors being spread by the Chicken Little wing of the Sanders movement about a shortage of ballots are not true. AS IS TRUE IN EVERY ELECTION, some balloting locations may run short. Poop happens. Be patient and demand your rights. Whining is soooo unfashionable.
Not sure if you are registered, or what you’re registered as? Check your current registration status online.
Polls will be open from 7am-8pm on Tuesday, June 7th. Find your polling place here.
Through June 6th, Mail-in Ballots can be dropped off at nearly two dozen locations throughout San Diego County. Check this link for hours and addresses.
Here are lots of other answers to your basic voting questions in this 2012 story by Anna Daniels: Do I need a California ID to vote? Where is my Polling Place? The SDFP Quick and Easy Guide to Election Day
Who to Vote For…
The San Diego Free Press Progressive Voter Guide for June 2016
This guide includes links to stories we’ve posted, our reasoning in endorsing candidates, links to candidate websites, and handy-dandy symbols behind candidates names showing who they’ve been endorsed by.
Other places to visit:
San Diego Democratic Party Endorsements
San Diego Democrats for Equality Endorsements
San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council
San Diego Sierra Club
Run Women Run
San Diego City Beat Endorsements
KPBS Voter Guide
Voice of San Diego: Engaged Voter’s Guide
San Diego Union-Tribune (Worth reading for the interviews and noting that they’re no longer exclusively supporting flat-earthers.)
Too much reading? In a hurry? Here’s…
SDFP Official Cheat Sheet
(See our Voter Guide link above for details)
President: Bernie Sanders
US Senate: Kamala Harris
House of Representatives
NOTE: We declined to endorse the incumbent Democrats in three contests. Too many of their votes on issues ran counter to our values. Too many office holders are too eager to embrace corporate causes rather than the needs of their constituents.
49th District: Doug Applegate
50th District: Patrick Malloy
51st District: No Endorsement
52nd District: No Endorsement
53rd District: No Endorsement
California Legislature
Senate District 39: Toni Atkins
Assembly District 71- No Endorsement
Assembly District 75 – Andrew Masiel
Assembly District 76 – No Endorsement
Assembly District 77 – Melinda Vásquez
Assembly District 78 – Todd Gloria
Assembly District 79 – Shirley Weber
Assembly District 80 – Lorena Gonzalez
San Diego County Board of Supervisors
District 1 – No Endorsement
District 2 – Rudy Reyes
District 3 – No Endorsement
City of San Diego
In the case of dual endorsements, our aim was to make sure the ‘establishment’ candidate doesn’t get more than 50%+1 of the vote.
Mayor- Either Ed Harris OR Lori Saldaña
City Council District 1 – Barbara Bry
City Council District 3 – Chris Ward
City Council District 5 – No Endorsement
City Council District 7 – Either Jose Caballero OR Justin DeCasare
City Council District 9 – Either Georgette Gomez OR Sarah Saez
City Attorney – Gil Cabrera
Chula Vista City Council
Seat 4 – Rudy Ramirez
Ballot Measures
State Proposition 50: California Suspension of Legislators YES
San Diego (Propositions A-H are revisions to the City Charter)
Proposition A: Redistricting Commission Update YES
Proposition B: Bond Authorization Process Update YES
Proposition C: Property Tax Charter Language Clarification YES
Proposition D: Amendment on Setting City Titles & Salaries YES
Proposition E: Budget Approval Process Update YES
Proposition F: Financial Operations Process Update YES
Proposition G: City Audit Language Update YES
Proposition H: Kersey’s Infrastructure Scheme PLEASE VOTE NO
Proposition I: Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage PLEASE VOTE YES
San Diego County Board of Education
District 1- Gregg Robinson
District 2 – Guadalupe Gonzalez
District 4 – Mark Anderson
District 5 – Rick Shea
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College Board
Seat 4 – Elena Adams
San Diego Community College Board
District B – Bernie Rhinerson
District D – Mary Graham
San Diego Unified School Board
District A – John Lee Evans
District D – Richard Barrera
District E – Sharon Whitehurst-Payne
What About the Judges?
Sorry, No Endorsements
(Background Story)
Weekly Progressive Calendar: Upcoming in San Diego
Mayoral Debate Watch Party (Saldaña Campaign)
Friday. June 3, 5pm
Giovanni’s Restaurant
9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
Info & Updates
Come cheer on Lori in the Final San Diego Mayoral Debate before the June 7th Election, and get prepped to Get Out the Vote! Broadcast on NBC 7/39 is 6-7pm, and is co-sponsored by Voice of San Diego. Come early to order drinks and yummy appetizer/dinner. Lori will join us after the broadcast from the nearby NBC 7/39 studios (recently moved from downtown).
FilmOut 2016 LGBT Film Festival
Friday, June 3 – Sunday, June 5 (Times Vary)
The Observatory Theater
2891 University Avenue
Info & Updates (Admission Charges)
The mission of FilmOut San Diego is to enlighten, educate, and entertain the communities of San Diego County & beyond through the exhibition of LGBT-themed films. FilmOut San Diego seeks to recognize, promote, celebrate and support the important diverse artistic contributions LGBT filmmakers make to our community.
Shoulders to Stand On Exhibit
Friday, June 3 – Sunday, July 31 (Weds-Sunday, Noon-4pm)
The Women’s Museum
NTC Liberty Station
2730 Historic Decatur Road, Barracks 16
Info & Updates
From roots of self-discovery, strong branches blossomed with Chicana literature, art, and activism. San Diego’s Latina women drew on the strength of ancestors and their own experiences to gain recognition for their contributions, accomplishments, and leadership potential. They struggled, organized, innovated, educated and inspired others in the community to set goals and achieve them. Meet the California women who turned aspiration into a movement. And explore the Chicana Movement of today’s generation in art, literature and activism.
iwy-report…jpg
Walk to Win (Sanders Campaign)
Saturday, June 4, 10am
Balboa Park Fountain
Info & Updates
Help us this final weekend.We need you.
Join us Saturday for a rally to support Bernie and our team of Progressive local candidates. The rally starts at 10 am. We are looking for volunteers to then walk neighborhoods, taking door hangers with The Bernie Voter Guide to Democratic households. This is it! If we want our team to win, we have to get the word out. Please join us.
Rally for Rent Control,
Code Enforcement, Affordable Housing
Saturday, June 4, 10am
Veterans Plaza
Corner of Newport & Abbott, Ocean Beach
Info & Updates
Join with San Diego Tenants United and residents of Ocean Beach in a rally to call for rent control, code enforcement, and more access to affordable housing.
Pssst! The San Diego Free Press is 4 Years Old Today
Our first postings appeared on June 4, 2012. Five thousand, seven hundred plus postings later, we’re still here.
(We’ll have the party later in the summer)
Get Out the Vote Rally
Sunday, June 5, 11am
Golden Hill Park
2590 Golden Hill Dr.
(No Link Available)
Local politicos Lorena Gonzalez, Ed Harris, Chris Ward, Gil Cabrera, Nathan Fletcher host a Get Out The Vote rally
Election Night Parties – Tuesday, June 7th
Bernie Sanders
6:30pm, Park & Rec, 4612 Park Blvd
Lori Saldaña
8pm, Grassroots Oasis, 3130 Moore St. (Old Town)
Democratic Party
8:15, Westin Gaslamp Quarter Hotel (Plaza Room, 2nd floor)
910 Broadway Circle
Republican Party
8:01pm, US Grant Hotel
326 Broadway
RSVP Required
The True Cost (Documentary)
Thursday, June 9, 7pm
OB Green Center
4843 Voltaire St.
Info & Updates
This 2015 documentary by Andrew Morgan explores the impact of fashion on people and the planet. The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. Filmed in countries all over the world, from the brightest runways to the darkest slums, and featuring interviews with the world’s leading influencers including Stella McCartney, Livia Firth and Vandana Shiva, The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story and asks us to consider, who really pays the price for our clothing? Free of Charge :-)
Sierra Club Free Movie Night “Who Bombed Judi Bari?”
Friday, June 10, 6:30pm
8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #101
For more information call 619-463-0721.
On May 24, 1990 a bomb blew up the car of two of the most prominent Earth First! redwood activists: Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney. The FBI and Oakland Police accused them of carrying their own bomb and being environmental terrorists. The activists launched a successful lawsuit against the FBI and Oakland Police. A story about beating the system and saving the trees; a film that resonates today as we face deteriorating civil rights and the huge ecological problems that bring us closer to catastrophic climate change. Free.
Pachanga De Frida
Saturday, June 11, 6pm
San Diego LGBT Community Center
3909 Center Street
Info & Updates (Admission Charge)
Each year we celebrate the birthday of Frida Kahlo, commemorating the legendary life of one of the most influential Mexican painters of the mid-twentieth century while enjoying live music, multiple art exhibits by local Latin@ artists and vendors, a Frida look-a-like contest, great food and Tequila! Proceeds from this event benefit Latin@ Services at The Center.
frida jpg
History of The OB Rag
Thursday, June 16th, 7pm
OB Historical Society Meeting
Point Loma United Methodist Church
1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
Learn the history of the OB Rag as told by current OB Rag Editor Frank Gormlie.
On This Day: 1918 – A federal child labor law, enacted two years earlier, was declared unconstitutional. 1938 – The German Reich voted to confiscate so-called “degenerate art.” 1964 – “The Hollywood Palace” hosted the first appearance of the Rolling Stones.
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Doug Porter
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Happy Birthday, SDFP! I couldn’t get thru the week without your words of wisdom! Thanks for your opinions and subject selections! You’re a definite asset to the San Diego area!
A personal message from Mayoral candidate Lori Saldaña:
In the final hours before Election Day I wanted to offer few reminders about my personal, legislative and community leadership experience to share with voters who are still trying to make up their minds:
I’m a native San Diegan who grew up in a military family and was married to a combat veteran who earned a Purple Heart for his service.
Based on this personal understanding of the challenges facing our service men and women during and after military service, I authored numerous bills to support them, and was named “Legislator of the Year” by the California Veterans Service Office Association in 2006.
From 2004-2010 I represented nearly 500,000 San Diegans in the State Assembly. I authored, co-authored and voted in support of progressive state legislation, including ending the open carry of guns, legalizing marriage equality (co-author and ONLY San Diego Assemblymember to vote in support), developing clean energy, and raising the minimum wage for millions of Californians.
I was invited on international delegations to Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and South America to share expertise on clean energy, environmental protection, innovation and technology and public transportation.
Prior to my election I served as co-founder of San Diego EarthFair in Balboa Park (1990), Mayoral Appointee for Maureen O’Connor (1992-94), and Chairwoman of the Sierra Club/San Diego Chapter (1995-97).
I was a Presidential appointee to the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission for Presidents Clinton and Bush (1999-2003), working on binational infrastructure improvements along the US-Mexico border.
Since leaving office I have continued my career as a workforce development technology educator, managing federal Department of Labor grants to improve the lives of students who are homeless, veterans with PTSD/TBI, and injured workers who need to be retrained for better jobs.
For all these reasons, I believe voters will agree: I have served San Diegans as an appointee, educator and elected official for decades, and have the skills. knowledge and commitment to serve as Mayor of my hometown.
Whoever you choose for your Mayor: Please remember to VOTE June 7th.
(Please SHARE with your friends who still haven’t voted)