November 2020 Election Highlights

 

“The right to vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument in a democratic society. We must use it.” -Congressman John Lewis

To access your sample ballot based on the address you are registered to vote, please visit Ballotpedia here

Seat Elections

In addition to the presidential elections, there are multiple seats to consider based on your congressional, state, and local districts.

National: President, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. House (select congressional districts)

State: State Senate, State Assembly

Local: District Attorney, Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, Superior Court of LA County, County Board of Supervisors

Statewide Ballot Measures

There are 12 statewide ballot measures and one Los Angeles County measure on the 2020 ballot. Items to consider range from criminal justice, employment classification for app-based transportation, and rent control. For more information on all statewide ballot measures, please visit the California Secretary of State website here. Below is a brief overview of select statewide propositions:

Proposition 15 – Schools and Communities First Initiative

Increases funding for K-12 public schools, community colleges, and local governments by requiring that commercial and industrial real property be taxed based on current market value (with exemptions). Estimates net increase in annual property tax revenues of $7.5 billion to $12 billion in most years, depending on the strength of real estate markets; $6.5 billion to $11.5 billion would be allocated to schools (40 percent) and other local governments (60 percent).

Proposition 16/ACA 5  – Affirmative Action in Government & Public Positions

Overturns existing legislation (Proposition 209) and allow for government and public institutions to consider “persons on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin” in public employment, public education, and public contracting.

Proposition 17/ACA 6 – Free the Vote Act

Restores voting rights to over 50,000 Californians after release from prison, who are currently unable to vote in any local, state or federal elections despite working, paying taxes and raising families in California. Currently 19 other states and Washington, D.C, automatically restore voting rights upon release from prison or have no felony disenfranchisement whatsoever.

Proposition 18/ACA4 – Voting Age

Authorizes a United States citizen who is 17 years of age, is a resident of the state, and will be at least 18 years of age at the time of the next general election to vote in any primary or special election. Currently at least 19 other states and Washington D.C. allow 17-year-olds who would be eligible for the next general election to vote early.

Disclaimer: As a 501c3 organization, Children’s Institute is prohibited by federal tax law from supporting or opposing candidates for public office or telling people how to vote, directly or indirectly. This document is solely educational and to encourage your civic engagement.

A Guide to Voting in the 2020 Election

Para español, por favor recorra hacia abajo.

Due to COVID-19, many voters will vote by mail – some for the first time. For those who plan to vote in person, the experience will likely be quite different from the past. And for first time voters, or those who haven’t voted since the 2016 election, there’s lots of new information to consider before casting your vote. Below are answers to common questions.

Registration

In Los Angeles County, you can register to vote online before Oct. 19 by visiting here. To register online, you will need (1) your California driver license or California identification card number, (2) the last four digits of your social security number, and (3) your date of birth.

Voter Registration and Voting is Offered in Multiple Languages

Los Angeles County offers election materials in 10 different languages, including Spanish, Korean and Chinese.

Voting Safely By Mail

Due to COVID-19, all registered voters in Los Angeles County will have a ballot mailed to them starting on Oct. 5. If you are a first time mail-in voter or you recently moved, it is important that you confirm your registered address before ballots are mailed. You can check your Los Angeles County voting information here. Click here if you are registered to vote in a different county.

Additionally, if you’re worried about voting by mail, multiple studies have shown that it is safe, reliable and trustworthy. For more information on voting security, click here.

Voting Early

Because there may be delays with the US mail, voters should cast their ballot as early as possible; all registered voters will receive a ballot and prepaid return envelope 29 days before the Nov. 3 election. Please fill out your ballot as soon as possible and either mail it or drop it off at one of 300 official drop boxes in Los Angeles County. Click here for more information on ballot drop boxes.

You can sign up here for email and SMS text notifications if you’d like to know when your ballot was mailed.

Watch Out for These Common Mail-in Ballot Mistakes

Please read all of the instructions carefully before filling out your ballot, because incorrectly filled out ballots can cause delays. Just as important, you must sign the return envelope. The signature should match what is on your voter registration, so take your time when signing.

Voting While Experiencing Homelessness

If you are experiencing homelessness, you are still eligible to register and vote by mail. When registering to vote, select “I do not have a street address.” Voters can list cross streets and county instead of a residential address; these are used to assign you a precinct.

Voting In-Person

If you vote in person, Los Angeles County has taken a number of steps to ensure voting locations are safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. You can find the location of your neighborhood voting center 30 to 40 days before the election here. Expect to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Same Day (Conditional) Voter Registration

People who miss the 15-day voter registration deadline may conditionally register to vote and cast a provisional ballot by visiting a county elections office, a vote center or a designated satellite location up to and including Election Day. Visit here for more information on same day voter registration.

If You Legally Changed Your Name

If you have legally changed your name, you must re-register to vote so that your voter record reflects your current name. The Secretary of State recommends that before you update your voter record with your current name, you first update your California driver license or identification card with DMV.

Starting Your Own Voter Registration Drive

If you would like to increase the number of eligible voters in your neighborhood, click here for rules on conducting voter registration drives in Los Angeles County.

Spread the Word!

It is important to make sure your friends and family are also prepared to vote. Connect with people in your network to double-check that they are registered to vote, and make sure they know all the helpful tips for voting by mail or in-person.

Una Guía para Votar en las Elecciones de 2020

Debido a COVID-19, muchos votantes votarán por correo, algunos por primera vez. Para aquellos que planean votar en persona, la experiencia probablemente será bastante diferente a la del pasado. Y para quienes votan por primera vez, o aquellos que no han votado desde las elecciones de 2016, hay mucha información nueva que considerar antes de emitir su voto. A continuación, encontrará respuestas a preguntas comunes.

Registración

En el condado de Los Ángeles, puede registrarse para votar en línea antes del 19 de octubre visitando aquí. Para registrarse en línea, necesitará (1) su licencia de conducir de California o el número de tarjeta de identificación de California, (2) los últimos cuatro dígitos de su número de seguro social y (3) su fecha de nacimiento.

Registración de Votantes y la Votación se Ofrecen en Varios Idiomas

El condado de Los Ángeles ofrece materiales electorales en 10 idiomas diferentes, incluidos español, coreano y chino.

Votando Seguramente por Correo

Debido a COVID-19, todos los votantes registrados en el condado de Los Ángeles recibirán una boleta por correo a partir del 5 de octubre. Si es la primera vez que vota por correo o se mudó recientemente, es importante que confirme su dirección registrada antes de que se envíen las boletas. Puede consultar la información de votación del condado de Los Ángeles aquí. Oprima aquí sí está registrado para votar en un condado diferente.

Además, si le preocupa votar por correo, varios estudios han demostrado que es seguro, confiable y confiable. Para obtener más información sobre la seguridad del voto, oprima aquí.

Votando Temprano

Debido a las demoras con el correo, votantes deben emitir su voto lo antes posible; todos los votantes registrados recibirán una boleta y un sobre de retorno prepago 29 días antes de las elecciones del 3 de noviembre. Llene su boleta lo antes posible y envíela por correo o déjela en uno de los 300 buzones oficiales del condado de Los Ángeles. Oprima aquí para obtener más información sobre las casillas de votación.

Puede registrarse aquí para recibir notificaciones de texto y por correo electrónico si desea saber cuándo se le envió su boleta por correo.

Tenga Cuidado con Estos Errores Comunes en las Boletas Electorales por Correo

Lea atentamente todas las instrucciones antes de completar su boleta, ya que las boletas llenas incorrectamente pueden causar demoras. Igual de importante, debe firmar el sobre de retorno. La firma debe coincidir con el nombre en su registro de votante, así que tómese su tiempo al firmar.

Votando Mientras Vive Sin Hogar

Si se encuentra sin hogar, aún es elegible para registrarse y votar por correo. Al registrarse para votar, seleccione “No tengo una dirección.” Los votantes pueden incluir calles cruzadas y condado en lugar de una dirección residencial; estos se utilizan para asignarle un recinto.

Votando en Persona

Si vota en persona, el condado de Los Ángeles ha tomado una serie de medidas para garantizar que los lugares de votación sean seguros y evitar la propagación del COVID-19. Puede encontrar la ubicación del centro de votación de su vecindario entre 30 y 40 días antes de las elecciones aquí. Espere usar una máscara y practicar el distanciamiento social.

Registración de Votante del Mismo Día (Condicional)

Las personas que no cumplan con la fecha límite de 15 días de registración pueden registrarse condicionalmente para votar visitando una oficina electoral del condado, un centro de votación o un lugar satélite designado hasta el día de las elecciones inclusive. Visite aquí para obtener más información sobre la registración de votante del mismo día.

Si Legalmente Cambia Su Nombre

Si ha cambiado su nombre legalmente, debe volver a registrarse para votar de modo que su registro de votante refleje su nombre actual. El Secretario de Estado recomienda que antes de actualizar su registro de votante con su nombre actual, primero actualice su licencia de conducir o tarjeta de identificación de California con el DMV.

Inicie Su Propia Campaña de Registración de Votantes

Si desea aumentar la cantidad de votantes elegibles en su vecindario, oprima aquí para conocer las reglas sobre cómo realizar campañas de registro de votantes en el condado de Los Ángeles.

¡Difunda la Palabra!

Es importante asegurarse de que sus amigos y familiares también estén preparados para votar. Conéctese con personas de su red para verificar que estén registradas para votar y asegúrese de que conozcan todos los consejos útiles para votar por correo o en persona.