Things are starting to get intense in election races. Mail-in ballots will go out May 7th, and June 5th is election day.
The day you go to vote used to be a big deal. I remember back in my younger days (when I lived in Washington DC) friends would gather for cocktails before going to walk the gauntlet outside our designated polling place. We called it VWI. (Just joking) Mailing your ballot was called absentee voting, seemingly reserved for overseas military and those wealthy enough to plan jaunts to exotic places.
By the time the local media decides to go to polling places on election “day,” as many as 75% of voters will have already cast their ballots. Smart campaigns know this, and that’s why you’ll see an uptick in advertising, direct mail, and those ever-so-pesky phone calls in coming weeks. (Pro Tip: Casting your ballot stops the phone calls and most of the mail.)
So who are all these people on the ballot? Why should you care? And how do you know you’re not voting for the wrong person?
Most of the people running for office in the primary election are hoping to make one of the top two slots, regardless of party affiliation. That’s what some folks call the jungle primary system. It’s supposed to be a cure-all that protects the ‘centrist’ candidates.
If you’re the Republican Party and don’t have much more than zealots and their apologists running for many offices, it means you won’t see a candidate on the ballot come November. If you’re the Democratic Party and blind to the fact that Republicans are more likely voters, it can mean the umpteen candidates running are going to all fall short. (A really big turnout is the cure for this.) If you’re a third party, tough luck –I hope you found plenty of opportunities to discuss your point of view.
There are lots of interested parties outside of the two biggies willing to help out with your voting choices. People sell ad space on oversized postcards and call them “slates,” making up some premise explaining why dissimilar candidates would appear together. I call them suckers.
The political parties have made choices if you’re interested. Here are links for the endorsements of the San Diego County Democratic Party, and the California Democratic Party. And if want to know who NOT to vote for here are the San Diego County Republican Party, and the California State Republican Party.
MapLight and the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund have created the Voter’s Edge site, where you can enter your address and see information about the candidates appearing on your ballot. It’s non-partisan. Some candidates don’t bother to send them information.
The San Diego Free Press / OB Rag Progressive Voter Guide will be published on Thursday, May 4. (Or thereabouts). It’s completely biased, occasionally snarky, and not influenced by money. It’s also chock full of links to our reporting and analysis, along with website and social media information on candidates.
Register to Vote (Until May 21) https://registertovote.ca.gov/ Confirm your voter registration http://www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/rov/Eng/Voters.asp
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A Twitter-Based Rant
Welcome to the Age of Idiocy
Panic on the faces of the cast of @foxandfriends as they realize even their audience will figure out the moron they were told to vote for is, well, a moron. pic.twitter.com/6dEc6vdjl6
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) April 27, 2018
Thought experiment: imagine the response if a powerful woman called into Fox & Friends and shrieked incoherently for half an hour.
— audible gasp (@morninggloria) April 26, 2018
Kellyanne Conway praises Trump’s Fox & Friends meltdown as ‘delicious’ — and says he’ll call in next month https://t.co/uicoDeQ5yG pic.twitter.com/EFJHAUAcxO
— #Resist (@ZaibatsuNews) April 27, 2018
Go, Lorena!
This is amazing. The folks who endorsed Trump & the GOP leadership in Congress want to blame me & the @UFWupdates for their frustrations on a labor shortage due to lack of immigration reform. Yeah, OK. https://t.co/EwrU2UFDP1
— Lorena (@LorenaSGonzalez) April 27, 2018
Have you looked under your bed for the Boogieman?
So is the fact that Soros is Jewish or that he opposes totalitarian regimes bother you more? https://t.co/MRoGug4Qy9 https://t.co/fHY9wL2XQm
— Doug Porter (@dougporter506) April 27, 2018
Check out this week’s Progressive Calendar listings below. Following those listings are upcoming events of national importance, along with opportunities for organizational involvement.
Get your event listed: I try to list the next 10 days or so of mostly non-commercial events I think our readers might find of interest. I source my material from social media listings and press releases. Club meetings will be listed IF there are speakers and they are open to the public.
Democratic Candidates: I will list all non-fundraising events open to the general public. A listing does not imply endorsement. Events that are listed on Facebook as ‘private’ or sold-out are not listed. In cases where there are competing but similar events or campaigns of the progressive persuasion, I do my best to list everything.
April 28
Welcome the Refugee Caravan!
Saturday, April 28, 8:30am
Border Field State Park
For More Information
Hosted by Armadillos Búsqueda y Rescate
Come support the families of the Central American #RefugeeCaravan, who have traveled for over a month and crossed 4000 kilometers by foot, road, and train, as they request asylum at the US port of entry on Sunday.
Despite weeks of threats of family separation, arbitrary detention, and violation of asylum applicants’ due process rights, the Department of Homeland Security has recently confirmed that they intend to respect the international treaties regarding asylum. With enough support, eyes, and solidarity on both sides of the border we can ensure that the caravan members’ human rights are respected, and that they are not retaliated against for exercising their rights publicly.
On Sunday morning, join us for a friendly binational gathering at the border and exchange welcoming words of solidarity and hope.
For those on the US side, the March Without Borders, which has been walking on foot south from Los Angeles since Sunday April 20th, will be joining the border community in welcoming the Refugee Caravan in San Diego. If you would like to participate, be at the entrance of Border Field State Park on Sunday April, 29th at 8:30am
Wear white. Bring a sweater; it might be windy. Bring footwear that can handle mud. On the Tijuana side, you can join at Friendship Park in Playas at 9am, where we will gather for 2 hours and then accompany the asylum seekers in a march to the Port of Entry
Ocean Beach Green Center’s 29th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, April 28, 2 – 7pm
4843 B Voltaire Street
For More Information
Come help us celebrate Earth Day and 29 years of environmental, peace, and social justice activism. Great Local Live Music, Speakers, Refreshments, Raffle Prizes from Local Businesses, good conversation, and smiles. A Great Community Event! All are Welcome. More info coming on music and speakers
Independent Bookstore Day 2018 Book Crawl
Saturday, April 28-April 30, All Day
Nine Locations
For More Information
Independent Bookstore Day is a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April. Every store is unique and independent, and every party is different. But in addition to authors, live music, cupcakes, scavenger hunts, kids events, art tables, readings, barbecues, contests, and other fun stuff, there are exclusive books and literary items that you can only get on that day. Not before. Not after. Not online.
Stop by any of the nine participating independent booksellers on the map to pick up a passport and take part in the store’s unique celebration of the national event. Hosted by La Playa Books, Library Shop, Verbatim Books, the Book Catapult, Bay Books Coronado, UC San Diego Bookstore, Bluestocking Books, Warwicks, and Mysterious Galaxy.
Civic Engagement: Walk for Justice
Saturday, April 28, 9am
Connors Park
320 West San Marcos Boulevard (San Marcos)
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties
Let’s walk toward smart justice. Hit the streets with us for our second canvass for Smart Justice in San Diego County. Snacks and lunch will be provided! We will do a training with folks at 9am to go over the plan for the day, and run through what we will be saying to voters at the door.
Walk and Knock Carlsbad
Saturday, April 28, 9:30am
La Costa Elementary School
3035 Levante Street (Carlsbad)
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by Flip the 49th Neighbors in Action
Join us to talk to voters about issues that matter to all of us and the future of our country.
Flipping the 49th depends on communities in Carlsbad. We just need 2000 more voters to get to the polls this year for the jungle primary on June 5th, to flip the district BLUE. YOU can help make that happen.
Town Hall For Our Lives: San Diego
Canceled
City Council District 4 Candidate Forum
Saturday, April 28, 10:30am
Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library
5148 Market Street
For More Information
Hosted by NAACP San Diego Branch – Authorized
Candidates for San Diego City Council District 4 will be invited to speak and answer questions. A city council representative is the first rung on the ladder of elected public servants, and should be the most accountable and accessible to the people.
Protest Lakeside Rodeo
Saturday, April 28, 11:45am
12584 Lakeview Street (Lakeside)
For More Information
It is 2018 this is NOT entertainment. It is pure animal abuse.
The Wobblies: Film & Potluck for May Day Weekend
Saturday, April 28, 5pm
UNITEHere Local 30
2436 Market Street
For More Information
Hosted by San Diego IWW
May 1 is International Workers Day, May Day. We are observing May Day Weekend on Saturday, April 28. Join the IWW San Diego branch for food and film as we show the classic film “The Wobblies” and discuss how we get from nearly 90 percent of working people in the USA having no union to building an effective worldwide union of the working class.
Since November 2016 IWW, like many organizations on ‘the left’, has seen a rapid growth of new membership. This year, IWW is in negotiations with the CNT and other unions to form a new international organization. Come with your ideas and questions and let’s talk about both history and the future. We will be at the union hall of our brothers and sisters of U.N.I.T.E. – H.E.R.E. Local 30
Gun Prom Celebration PROTEST
Canceled
Encinitas Street Fair with Team Applegate
Saturday, April 28 & 29, All day
Booth #759, at G St. & Highway 101
For More Information
Who ran the closest congressional race in the nation in 2016, helped retire Darrell Issa, and is the current Democratic frontrunner in the 49th congressional race? Doug Applegate! He blazed through the district like a comet in 2016 overturning decades of Republican control, and he’s back to get the job done in 2018. And this Saturday and Sunday, Team Applegate will be promoting him at the Encinitas Street Fair and we’d love to have you join us.
Check out handcraft vendors, children’s rides, beer garden, and live bands. Lots of free family fun. Then stop by and check out Team Applegate at booth 759. We will be registering new voters, signing up volunteers, offering swag (bumperstickers, buttons, t-shirts, signs, etc.) and updating voters to Doug’s platform and the upcoming primary on June 5. Mail-in ballots are going out soon, and we aim to reach as many voters as possible ASAP as this is the race that stops Trump!
We are also looking for volunteers to join us at the booth for both Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm, in two-hour intervals. So if you want to pitch-in, please contact us so we can schedule a shift for you. It’s going to be a beautiful sunny weekend, and a beautiful sunny day when we flip the 49th, and we will need your help to get the job done.
Kevin de Leon Campaigns: North County Edition
Saturday, April 29
Women’s Club of Carlsbad – 11am
Escondido – 2pm
Vista Library – 3pm
April 29
San Diego Downtown Indivisible
Issue Panel: Economic Justice
Sunday, April 29, 1:30pm
Jacobs Center – Chollas View Room
404 Euclid Avenue
For More Information
San Diego Downtown Indivisible is hosting an issue panel on Economic Justice to inform and engage the community in what issues and solutions are relevant to Economic Justice in San Diego.
Confirmed panelists so far:
Tekara Gainey, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, Community Affairs & Engagement Manager
Dr. Peter Brownell, Center on Policy Initiatives, Research Director
David Lagstein, SEIU Local 221, Political Director
Stephen Russell, Housing San Diego
Parisa Ijadi-Maghsoodi, Poverty attorney & writer, USD Law – Assistant Director of Public Service
Law & Order Candidate Forum
Sunday, April 29, 11am
Temple Emanu-El
6299 Capri Drive
For More Information
Hosted by Temple Emanu-El of San Diego
Law and Order Candidate Forum with moderator, Scott Lewis, Editor-in-Chief of “Voice of San Diego.” Candidates for County District Attorney and County Sheriff will be in attendance speaking about criminal justice, community safety, and victim empowerment. Light refreshments will be served.
District 2 Precinct Walk
Sunday, April 29, Noon
1975 Ebers Street (OB)
For More Information
Hosted by Jordan Beane for San Diego City Council
Bring a fully charged phone and some walking shoes and we’ll handle the rest! We’ll be meeting at the park next to the Ocean Beach Recreation Center. Please download the MiniVan app before arriving – and bring a friend!
April 30
Phone Bank Event
Monday, April 30, 6:30pm
Orchard Hill Country Inn
2502 Washington Street (Julian)
For More Information
Event for Julian Indivisible
With less than 2 months til the June Primary, we will be calling Dems & NPP’s to get them to the Polls on June 5. Our plan is to hold several phone banking events between now and June. We need your participation to make this effort a success. Be a part of our Push. If you can’t make it, let us know if you can make calls from home. We’ll support you.
May 1 - May Day
Woke San Diego College Tour: Cal Western School of Law
Tuesday, May 1, Noon
350 Cedar Street Room LH2
For More Information
Hosted by Woke San Diego
Monica Montgomery, Genevieve Jones-Wright, and Omar Passons are taking steps to create fundamental change in San Diego by running for major offices. Monica is running for City Council, Genevieve is running for District Attorney and Omar is running for the County Board of Supervisors. This is our opportunity to engage the “duty to win.”
At the Woke San Diego event held at SDSU, Monica, Genevieve, and Omar will explain what their prospective offices do and why the actions of city council members, the district attorney, and county supervisors matter to those who want to move this City and County forward. They will discuss how their platforms will advance the movement toward progress.
The only way Monica, Genevieve, and Omar can implement their platforms is through the support of the community. We must ensure that they are elected to office by working together with their campaigns. Come to the Woke San Diego event and learn what we must do.
May 1st North County San Diego
Tuesday, May 1, 6pm
210 East Park Avenue (Escondido)
For More Information
Hosted by MEChA de CSUSM, ANSWER San Diego, Union del Barrio, and Human Rights Council of Oceanside
As north county organizations we unite to build power for our community and fight against the accelerating migra raids like the ones that took place these past few months. We will be organizing to address the impact of the separation of our families, the capture of our people held for ransom in concentration camps known as prisons. We will work to expose those responsible for the hostile attacks by this administration and the local politicians who slander and attack working people in Escondido.
SDSU May 1st Walk Out!
Tuesday, May 1, Noon
Hepner Hall SDSU
For More Information
This May 1ST We Demand…
SANCTUARY CAMPUS – We demand that all immigration enforcement including ICE, US Border Protection, and the Department of Homeland Security be barred from campus, and that absolutely no cooperation shall be offered to any of these agencies by the campus administration or law enforcement.
CAMPUS LIVING WAGE – We demand that the minimum wage on campus be raised to $15.00 per hour, a living wage. The minimum wage on campus should then be indexed to inflation.
NO TUITION HIKE – We demand that the recent tuition increase approved by the CSU Board of Trustees be reversed, and to find ways to reduce tuition costs for all students. The CSU should not be passing budget shortfalls onto the students, many of whom need to work to support their education.
NO TO FASCISM – We demand that the administration directly address the presence of fascist and white supremacist groups on campus, and that these groups are publicly condemned and barred from holding space in order to ensure the full safety of the student body.
Greg Palast Internationally Known Investigative Journalist
Tuesday, May 1, 6pm
University of San Diego
Joan B. Kroc Theater
For More Information (Tickets)
Hosted by KNSJ 89.1 FM
Join USD Kroc School of Peace Studies Peace and Justice Student Association and ACTIVIST SAN DIEGO, KNSJ 89.1 FM for a night with Rolling Stone’s investigative journalist, Greg Palast and the screening of his documentary, Greg Palast: The Best Democracy Money Can Buy.
In September 2016, before US Presidential Elections, Palast released his movie The Best Democracy Money Can Buy: A Tale of Billionaires & Ballot Bandits, based on his New York Times bestselling books, predicting Donald Trump’s election. The film was a smash hit and continues to be shown all around the US as well as being used by grassroots activists as an organizing tool to fight voter suppression.
Palast has broken front-page stories for BBC Television Newsnight, The Guardian, Nation Magazine and Rolling Stone Magazine. He has won numerous awards for his journalism including the Financial Times David Thomas Prize (gregpalast.com). After the showing, we will have a Q&A with Palast. We are delighted to have him for the evening and hope to see you!
May 2
Women Wednesday – Phonebank for Progress
Wednesday, May 2, 5pm
8340 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard #202
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by Geneviéve Jones-Wright for DA
Please join us for “Women Wednesday – A Phonebank for Progress”.
Come show your support for this Run Women Run, National Women’s Political Caucus – San Diego, and Democratic Women’s Club of San Diego endorsed candidate by phonebanking and speaking with voters about the upcoming election and why Geneviéve is the (W)right choice for San Diego District Attorney.
Join us in letting voters know that it’s not enough to just BE a woman, you must be a woman who is FOR women.
May 3
DA Candidate Forum
Thursday, May 3, 6pm
Chula Vista Public Library
365 F Street
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by League of Women Voters of San Diego and ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties
Come hear DA candidates discuss their qualifications and positions on issues that matter to you. Hosted by ACLU; Moderated by KPBS’s Jade Hindmon; Facilitated by LWVSD
Community Divided, Humanity United
Thursday, May 3, 7pm
San Diego Center for Jewish Culture
4126 Executive Drive (La Jolla)
For More Information (RSVP- JCC Box Office: 858-362-1348)
Sally Kohn – Community Divided/Humanity United – The Opposite of Hate A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity
At a moment when we are facing an epidemic of incivility and hate—with divisive political speech, online trolling, and hate crimes escalating—popular CNN commentator and former Fox News contributor Sally Kohn sets out to discover why we hate and how we can stop. Come together for an honest conversation about the “epidemic of incivility” as well as real-world solutions to curb the “hate.” Sally will be “in conversation” with a high-profile interviewer and will be available for a book signing following the event. This event generously funded by the County of San Diego’s Community Enhancement program.
It’s time to come together for an honest conversation about the “epidemic of incivility” as well as real-world solutions to curb the “hate.” A book signing follows the event. This event is FREE to the public, but tickets will be required to enter.
May 5
Walk and Knock Vista
Saturday, May 5, 9:30am
Casita Elementary School
260 Cedar Road (Vista)
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by Flip the 49th Neighbors in Action
Flipping the 49th depends on communities in Vista. We just need 2000 more voters to get to the polls next year to say NO to the President Trump Agenda. YOU can help make that happen!
No experience needed! We provide training, scripts, walk lists, breakfast food & snacks. Wear walking shoes, hats (or sunscreen) and sunglasses, and get ready to take some direct action and talk to voters.
May 6
Jim Miller’s “Last Days in Ocean Beach” Book Release
Sunday, May 6, 4:30pm
Tiger! Tiger!
3025 El Cajon Boulevard
For More Information
Hosted by City Works Press and Verbatim Books
Join Verbatim Books at Tiger!Tiger! for the release of Last Days in Ocean Beach, the newest title from Jim Miller of City Works Press!
Last Days in Ocean Beach is the story of William, a scientist working at the Center for Extinction Studies, a think tank at the College of the Sun funded by a green billionaire. William lives “on the border between dread and wonder” as he desperately works to raise the alarm about climate change and its dire consequences to an apathetic public, learns to live with grief, and hold on to love. Along the way, we meet the residents of his wonderfully shabby apartment complex in Ocean Beach–bikers, hippies, skate punks, adventure tourists, reggae singers, aimless young professionals, Iraq war veterans, decadent retirees, a hospice nurse, and a Buddhist monk, all of whom are searching for something, looking to live more fully. Last Days in Ocean Beach is a blues song moaning and rocking the beach party at the end of the world.
Jim Miller is the author of the novels Flash (AK Press, 2010) and Drift (University of Oklahoma Press, 2007). He is also co-author of a history of San Diego, Under the Perfect Sun: The San Diego Tourists Never See (with Mike Davis and Kelly Mayhew on The New Press, 2003) and a cultural studies book on working class sports fandom, Better to Reign in Hell: Inside the Raiders Fan Empire (with Kelly Mayhew on The New Press, 2005). Miller is also the editor of Sunshine/Noir: Writing from San Diego and Tijuana (City Works Press, 2005), Sunshine/Noir II: Writing from San Diego and Tijuana (with Kelly Mayhew on City Works Press, 2015), and Democracy in Education; Education for Democracy: An Oral History of the American Federation of Teachers, Local 1931 (AFT 1931, 2007). He has published poetry, fiction, and non-fiction in a wide range of journals and other publications, and has a weekly column in the San Diego Free Press and the OB Rag.
Save the Date
March to Vote – San Diego – May 19
Call to Action if Trump Fires Mueller
March for Truth—an organization that is working with dozens of advocacy groups to organize rapid response protests has partnered with MoveOn.org, Public Citizen, Indivisible and many others to prepare emergency ‘Nobody is Above the Law‘ rallies that will happen directly following the firing of the special counsel should it occur. There are already events in 800+ cities and communities scheduled across the country—more than 300,000 people are prepared to take to the streets.
By firing Mueller or Rosenstein, the president would trigger a full-fledged constitutional crisis by asserting that he is above the law. The hours following the firing will determine whether he is proved right.
Local Rallies Starting Today at 5pm & Continuing Daily Thereafter
Bring Pots and Pans – Make Noise
Call to Action if Trump Fires Mueller
US District Court Southern District of California
330 West Broadway (Downtown)
Nobody is Above the Law Rally
Westfield North County Mall (Escondido)
Nobody is Above the Law Rally
Collier Park (Ramona)
Nobody is Above the Law Rally
Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall
Other Stuff to Do
Join the ACLU’s People Power: People Power is, at its core, a grassroots member-mobilization project. Through People Power, the ACLU will engage volunteers across the country to take action when Trump or his administration attempt to enact unconstitutional policies or trample on people’s constitutional rights. By mobilizing in defense of our civil liberties, volunteers will build local communities that affirm our American values of respect, equality, and solidarity.
Sign Up for Indivisible. All the cool kids are doing it. (Really!)
Run For Something: Learn more about running for office
San Diego Democratic Party Calendar Includes business meetings, chartered club meetings, voter registration events, election information, holidays, and other events of interest to Democrats.
Get Out the Vote is a Political Action Committee already working to educate voters about all three of these candidates as part of the Vote for Justice Campaign. They’re looking for volunteers to help with phone banking.
The ACLU’s Smart Justice DA Campaign is part of nationwide effort to bring common sense reforms to our criminal justice system. They are looking for volunteers to help with phone banking and canvassing voters.
Register to Vote https://registertovote.ca.gov/
Confirm your voter registration http://www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/rov/Eng/Voters.asp
SUBSCRIBE! IT’S FREE!
Looking for some action? The Weekly Progressive Calendar is published every Friday in this space, featuring Demonstrations, Rallies, Teach-ins, Meet Ups and other opportunities to get your activism on.
You can now get the Weekly Progressive Calendar delivered to your inbox every Friday. And it’s Free! Subscribe and get an email every time a new article in this series is posted!
I read the Daily Fishwrap(s) so you don’t have to… Send your hate mail and ideas to DougPorter@SanDiegoFreePress.Org Check us out on Facebook and Twitter.