California General Election
June 6, 2006
Voter Information
Quick, Comprehensive & Useful Info for Busy Voters
Looking for a way to cut through the confusing election clutter? In
partnership with radio station KFBK Newstalk 1530 in California's state
capital of Sacramento, we've launched an ambitious and unprecedented
project: in-depth, on-demand interviews of every major candidate in
contested statewide primary races -- specifically to help you, the
voter. Plus, in addition to hearing from both sides of each statewide
ballot measure, you’ll also find links to helpful voter information.
With this unique project, you have the opportunity to hear directly
from statewide candidates for California's primary election anytime,
online at your convenience. Unlike 30-second ads, pre-packaged sound
bites or election speeches spun by political campaigns, these are
highly valuable, 10-minute interviews with the questions you want
answered in order to help you make an informed decision before casting
your vote.
Gary Dietrich, Political Analyst and president of Citizen Voice,
a nonpartisan organization that's involving citizens and protecting the
vulnerable, conducted the interviews. Major candidates
from statewide contested races were invited to participate.
Therefore, you'll notice some candidates are not listed.
Information about other candidates is available at through
the California Secretary of State on some of the
other resources we have available through our helpful voter
resources and links (see below).
Click here for Gary's explanation of the voter project.
Click here to give us your feedback. We'd like to hear from you.
Our Citizen Voice mission is to inspire, inform
and involve citizens in the public arena on behalf of all, especially
the vulnerable.
For more information about Citizen Voice use the links on the left or
click here for the home page.
Click below for helpful links:
Read Gary's easy-to-understand summaries and his take on the propositions
Important election information voters should know about
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Ask Gary a question
Links to other voter resources
Hear Gary Dietrich's in-depth interviews with the candidates in statewide contested primary races. Click on the links below:
Hear Gary Dietrich's interviews with both sides of the statewide ballot propositions. Click on the links below:
PROPOSITION 81
California Reading and Literacy
Improvement and Public Library
Construction and Renovation
Bond Act of 2006 |
PROPOSITION 82
Preschool Education.
Tax on Incomes Over
$400,000 for Individuals;
$800,000 for Couples |
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Yes
No |
Yes
No |
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The following was designed to assist citizens by offering
nonpartisan information and analysis for Californians voting in the
June primary election. It does not reflect a position on specific
ballot measures, as Citizen Voice views its important role in elections
as assisting citizens in making their own informed decisions.
You'll find a brief, clear summary of each ballot measure,
specifically designed to be easily understood, in the left column
below. On the right, Citizen Voice Co-founder and President Gary
Dietrich, who also serves as a nonpartisan political analyst for a
number of broadcast outlets, offers his plain language take on what the
measure is really all about for the average citizen.
|
Proposition |
Summary Provided by Citizen Voice |
Gary Dietrich's Take on the Issue |
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81
Library Bond Act
|
Currently,
costs for building and operating public libraries are primarily the
responsibility of local governments. To raise additional funds,
Proposition 81 would enable the state to sell up to $600 million worth
of bonds. All the money raised would be used to build, renovate or expand libraries throughout California
and provide furnishings and equipment. Local governments could then
request grants from this fund, but in order to qualify for any money
the local government would have to pitch in 35 percent of the estimated
budget of their project.
Prop 81 also specifically states that the money could not be used for books, materials or ongoing library operational costs.
It’s estimated the cost of the proposal will be $1.2 billion to cover the bonds and the interest over 30 years. In the 2000 election, voters approved $350 million in bonds for libraries. That money was used for 45 projects, while another 60 projects requested money but so far have not been funded.
Proposition
81 is supported by the Congress of California Seniors and the
California Federation of Teachers and the California Business
Roundtable. It is opposed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the National Tax Limitation Committee.
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When
interviewing representatives of both sides of this issue (which you can
listen to by clicking on the link above), you get the impression that
this is one of those issues that both sides agree on, yet have
significantly different ideas about how best to get to the desired goal.
Who could be against libraries? In
fact, that answer to that question obviously leads us to the real one
behind the debate – how do we pay for building and keeping them open?
Supporters point to a growing California population that needs new and larger libraries to keep pace with the demand for library access and services. They
also cite the need to help the state’s residents, especially children
and young people, keep pace with rapidly expanding information sources
in an increasingly competitive world. And
they say we cannot wait for years to put together enough local and
state dollars to build and furnish the libraries needed right now.
Opponents
point to cutbacks in existing library hours in some areas as a source
of concern as to whether local budgets will be able keep new facilities
functioning. They also believe funds should
be found through cuts in other services rather than using long-term
bonds which require interest payments. |
|
82
Pre-School Initiative |
Proposition
82 would establish a new program statewide that would make one year of
free, voluntary public preschool available to all four-year-old
children in California.
To
pay the costs of the program, Proposition 82 would establish a 1.7
percent income tax on any individual who earns more than $400,000 per
year and on married couples who earn more than $800,000 per year. The Legislative Analyst states that this would create the highest personal income tax rate in the country.
Prop. 82 also states that money raised could only be spent on the public preschool system it creates. The Leg Analyst notes that schools with religious affiliation, for example, would not be eligible to participate.
The
ballot argument in support of Proposition 82 was signed by the
California Teachers Association, the California Police Chiefs
Association and the California Head Start Association. The
arguments opposing Prop 82 were signed by the California Montessori
Council, the California Taxpayers’ Association, and the former
executive director of the California State Board of Education.
|
This too, is a ballot measure dealing with a subject few would argue with, preschool available to all. The
disagreements between both sides (which you can listen to in my
interviews via the link above) stem from how to offer this opportunity
fairly and in the most cost-effective manner.
Supporters point to the benefits of preschool for many children. They also note that most taxpayers won’t be asked to fund the program, only the wealthiest. And they state that fiscal accountability will be built into the program.
Opponents raise concerns about dedicating a very large annual sum to a single program when other needs may be pressing. They
cite the Legislative Analyst’s figures that the program will only
increase preschool attendance from its current level by about 5%. And they say it would be far less expensive to assist families who really need the help than to provide free preschool for all.
This
ballot measure has drawn a great deal of attention because of its sheer
size in terms of the amount of money it would generate annually and the
size of the statewide program it would create. |
Key dates to remember
May 22: Last day to register for the primary election
May 30: Last day to mail a request for an absentee ballot
June 6: Election Day
Polls are open from 7:00A.M. to 8:00PM
Absentee ballot must be received by 8 p.m. on election day
You may register to vote if you are:
- a United States citizen
- a resident of California
- at least 18 years of age (or will be by the date of the election)
- are not in prison or on parole for conviction of a felony
- have not been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent to register and vote
How to register
To ensure that your registration card is received on time to vote in
the June 6 election, you should obtain a registration form at your
local post office, library, or local county elections office
(http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm
Also, you can download the National Voter Registration Form from the Secretary of State's office website (http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/votereg_notice.html) The completed form can be printed and mailed to your county elections official (http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm.)
Registration forms must be signed, dated and postmarked by May 22, 2006, in order for you to be registered and eligible to vote in June's primary election.
Although it is too late for the primary, after the June 6 election
the Secretary of State will again have their on-line voter registration
system up and running again (http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm.)
You need to re-register when you:
- Move
- Change your name
- Change your political party affiliation
Registration deadline
In California, the deadline to register to vote for an election is
15 days before election day. For the June 6 primary election that means
the last day to register is Monday, May 22.
Vote by mail (absentee voting)
To vote absentee in the primary, you must submit a completed application to your county elections office by 5 P.M. on May 30.
To request an absentee ballot
Download a form from the Secretary of State's office, use the
application printed on your sample ballot (which registered voters will
receive before the election), or apply in writing with your signature
to your county elections office. The application or letter must contain:
- Your name and residence address as stated on your registration card
- The address to which the absentee ballot should be sent (if different from your registered address)
- The name and date of the election in which you would like to vote absentee
- The date and your signature
You may return your voted absentee ballot by:
- Mailing it to your county elections official
- Returning it in person to a polling place or elections office within your county on election day
Authorizing a legally-allowable third party (relative or person
residing in the same household as you) to return the ballot on your
behalf.
Regardless of how the ballot is returned, it MUST be received by the time polls close (8 p.m.) on election day.
Additional information about absentee voting is available at:
http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_m.htm
Find your polling place:
http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_ppl.htm
Time off to vote:
http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_tov.htm
Frequently asked questions:
http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_faq.htm#vr
What's New for 2006? New laws and procedures:
http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/votered/whats_new.pdf
More election related information is available through the Secretary of State's office
http://www.ss.ca.gov
Source: California Secretary of State
On election day
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some precincts have been
consolidated for this election, so be sure to check your sample ballot
to find out where you will vote. Here are some helpful tips for your
trip:
- Read your sample ballot and mark your choices before you go to the polling place. This will save time in the voting booth.
- Your polling place is printed on your sample ballot. If you
don't have a sample ballot, call or check the Web site of your county
elections office, or call the secretary of state's voter assistance
hotline, (800) 345-VOTE (8683).
- If you are registered to vote but your name is not on the
rolls at the polling place, you can cast a "provisional" ballot. All
provisional ballots are counted and added to the official results after
voting rolls are verified.
- You have the right to cast a ballot if you are present and
in line before the polls close at 8 p.m. If you make a mistake marking
your ballot selections, you are entitled to receive a replacement
before casting your ballot. If you make another mistake, you may
receive another ballot.
- Federal law requires polling places be accessible to people
with disabilities. If you have questions about going to the polls,
contact your county registrar.
- If you believe illegal or fraudulent activity has occurred,
contact your local registrar or the secretary of state at (800)
345-VOTE (8683).
Source: Sacramento Bee
Additional resources for voter information include:
California Secretary of State: www.ss.ca.gov/elections
Smart Voter: www.SmartVoter.org
Easy Voter: www.EasyVoter.org
CalVoter: www.CalVoter.org
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The 2006 California primary election audio interviews were graciously conducted in partnership with KFBK Newstalk 1530 in California's state capital of Sacramento. |
© 2006 Citizen Voice, Inc. All rights reserved. | 
