Prop 19 primarily benefits two groups: realtors and older, wealthier, white homeowners. It will likely increase the rate of home sales, thereby increasing commissions for realtors whose associations are unsurprisingly its primary backers.  While this prop may generate income, it is unclear how much, where that income is coming from, and whether it will alleviate our housing crisis in any way.  This same proposition was proposed in 2018, albeit with slightly different workings, and voters rejected it handily. The best summary of why a NO vote is recommended is found here.

Prop 23 is the first of three very confusing propositions. It is effectively a clash between unions (SEIU) and dialysis clinics, many of whom are for-profit. Our original reading had us recommending yes, as the four changes in the prop seemed very sensical. A second pass had us consult local nurses in the field who were overwhelmingly opposed on the grounds that it would not necessarily increase patient care and would make life more difficult. With no clear choice at hand we make no recommendation.

Prop 20 takes the country’s largest prison-industrial complex and it’s miserable track record of failure and tries to give it more money and power.  Passage of this prop will bloat our already bloated prison system and huge invasions of privacy are present (mandatory DNA collection for certain misdemeanors like shoplifting). VOTE NO and tell all your friends.

Prop 24 is confusing at first glance because it appears to support individual data privacy and while it does in some ways, it does not in others and these add up.  In specific, the proposition: expands “pay for privacy” schemes which create inequality and harm customers; does not call for “opt-in” privacy measures, thereby allowing businesses to determine privacy defaults; allows for loopholes in language for collecting and processing data; makes it harder for you to have your data deleted; weakens biometric privacy; and allows for more mixing of data.  Simply put, the good doesn’t outweigh the bad. Here is a good article on why the Electronic Frontier Foundation will not support this prop.

Prop 22 amounts to hugely profitable corporations wanting to deny their employees benefits and representation by classifying them as ‘contractors’ instead of ‘employees.’  Such a prop should never pass, but during a pandemic and housing crisis it is evil. VOTE NO and tell all your friends.

Prop 25 is misleading.  Yes it does do away with cash bail but replaces it with a dystopian nightmare whereby a computer algorithm determines who is released before trial and who remains behind bars.  Algorithms are historically biased and it is unclear who will control them. This proposition continues the outsourcing of morality and justice to anonymous corporations writing code, a dangerous path.  Cash bail is a travesty and should absolutely be abolished, but not like this.  This article offers a great technical breakdown of the proposition.

1. Democracy

We recommend policies that increase individual access to voting and the democratic process.

2. Equity and equality

We recommend policies that support increased equity and equality across all intersectional lines (race, gender, orientation, status, etc).

3. Empowerment

We recommend policies that facilitate community empowerment, giving everyday people more individual and collective control over their lives.

1. Politics

We prioritize progressive candidates, those who acknowledge climate change, housing insecurity and inequity, and law enforcement reform as fundamental issues for Sonoma County.

2. Representation

We prioritize Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQ+ candidates, and if none are available candidates who have pledged to increase said representation.

3. Honesty

We prioritize candidates who are beholden to their constituents, the voters, and not to corporations, business associations, or entrenched interests who leverage money to buy political change.