go out and VOTE californians…

In politics, san francisco on 2 June 2008 with 1 comment

Hey there fellow Californians, here’s our second chance to hit the polls this year. If you haven’t already dropped off your absentee ballot I offer a few last minute election suggestions. My recommendations are based my research and the endorsements of San Francisco Bay Guardian and the SF League of Young Voters. In the case that they disagree I have included both of their opinions.

By the way, if you don’t know, you can find your polling place at Smart Voter.

Statewide Ballot:
No on 98
Yes on 99

San Francisco Ballot Initiatives:

State Senate - Disrict 3 (SF, Marin): No suggestion
I am truly torn on this one. In my heart I want to vote for Carole Migden. Even though she’s not perfect, she has an outstanding record of fighting for progressive causes both here in San Francisco and up in Sacramento. However, Mark Leno is an equally impressive legislator who has dedicated his life to championing queer rights. (Not that Migden hasn’t.) Truly this race has come down to one of personality and style. And it has been an ugly fight. The momentum seems to be behind Leno and there are all sorts of rumors floating that voting for Migden is really a vote for the third candidate, Joe Nation. The fear is that all the nasty infighting within the queer community will split the vote allowing Nation to win tomorrow’s primary.

In some ways this whole Midgen/Leno mess has been worse than the arguments between Clinton and Obama supporters. And on the eve of this election I feel similarly frustrated with the choice we all have to make. So, officially, I give no endorsement on this whole debacle. I just hope the progressive queer community can heal after tomorrow.

State Assembly, District 13: Tom Ammiano
If it weren’t for those pesky term limits, we wouldn’t be in the above mess. But the silver lining is that Tom gets to represent more than the Mission now. We’re going to miss him down here in the city, and I still wish he had become our mayor… but Tom’s going to be great in Sacramento.

Superior Court Judge, Seat 12: Gerardo Sandoval
From what I understand he’s been a decent supervisor, and the divided supporters of Leno and Migden seem to easily agree on Sandoval.

San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee - Dist 13 (Eastside)
The DCCC is said to be the most expensive and most competitive race to win that no one’s ever heard of. Since the majority of the SF readers of this blog live in District 13, I’m limiting my table to that race. For more detail on how all the candidates stand up to one another, check out the fantastic spreadsheet created by the League. They also have one for the West side of the city, District 12.

Just a note that the Guardian endorsed the entire “Hope Slate”, a crew of progressives who teamed up to campaign together. The League of Young Voters differs slightly on their recs. (Just to make it easier, the rows will sort if you click the header.) FYI… You get to vote for 12 people for the DCCC.

There you have it. Now get out there and vote. Polls are open from 7am to 8pm.

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