Showing posts with label Elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elections. Show all posts

Thursday, April 4, 2013

SPOTLIGHT ON: County Elections Chief Joe Canciamilla

Posted:  4 Apr 13

The other day, my friend, Greg Enholm, sent the following to me.  He's always sending me great stuff for the public good.


Purpose  

  • To provide some interesting information concerning Joe Canciamilla
  • For those who participate in the election processes (all of us)


Topic

Something Good to Know When Putting Candidates and Measures on the Ballot


Message

All elected officials in the County -- as well as anyone who participates in the elections process including putting candidates and measures on the ballot -- may want to read this article (see below) about the new elections chief, Joe Canciamilla.  

Joe was sworn-in as Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder on April 1.  He was elected to the Pittsburg School Board (at 17!) going on to serve on the Pittsburg City Council, as County Supervisor, and as Assemblyman. [WOW!] 

He is also a lawyer and operates his family's funeral business.
 
I attended Joe's swearing in ceremony at the Clerk-Recorder's office in Martinez.

Greg Enholm
Elected Trustee
Contra Costa Community College District
Ward 5



Note:  Greg, serves for the (2012 to 2016 term) all or parts of Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Clyde, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Oakley, and Pittsburg -- 200,000 total constituents!  He is also a Professor of Mathematics at DeVry University, San Francisco and has been vigorous in the public's service, for years and years.


THE ARTICLE

Contra Costa's new elections chief Joe Canciamilla takes oath of office

By Lisa Vorderbrueggen
Contra Costa Times
Posted:   04/01/2013 04:00:36 PM PDT
Updated:   04/02/2013 07:10:59 AM PDT


MARTINEZ -- Contra Costa County's new elections chief Joe Canciamilla took the oath of office Monday, officially logging the next entry in his already lengthy public service résumé.

  • Canciamilla, a 57-year-old former state Assemblyman who was elected to his first office at age 17 [WOW!], succeeds Steve Weir, who retired March 29 after serving nearly 24 years in the countywide elected post.
  • "Steve was always an advocate for this office, and I pledge to the staff that I will do the same," said Canciamilla before a roomful of staff, family, friends and elected officials, who gathered at noon in the downtown county elections building, now named after Weir. "I intend to uphold the same level of integrity and service that has been a hallmark of this office for years."

Even as a youngster, Canciamilla wanted "to do what was right and what was fair," said Contra Costa Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, a lifelong friend and political ally who conducted the ceremony.

The county Board of Supervisors selected Canciamilla on Feb. 12 to fill the balance of Weir's four-year term from among a field of 18 applicants, including Weir's brother, Pleasant Hill Councilman Jack Weir. 

  • To keep the $150,000-a-year job, Canciamilla must win an election in 2014.
  • The clerk-recorder and registrar of voters is responsible for managing a $14 million annual budget and the 86 employees who handle the county's elections and legal documents such as property deeds. 
  • He will also be the county's civil marriage commissioner.

Canciamilla comes to the job with 35 years of experience holding public office. 

  • He was still in school when he won his first election -- to the school board. 
  • The mortician and co-owner of the Pittsburg Funeral Chapel served three terms in the Assembly as a Democrat following a single term on the Board of Supervisors. 
  • He also served eight years on the Pittsburg City Council.

While in Sacramento

  • Canciamilla founded the "Mod Squad," which included moderate members of the two major parties who publicly tangled with their leaders. 
  • He intended to run for state Senate in 2008 against Mark DeSaulnier -- who ultimately won and was re-elected to a second term in 2012 -- but bowed out after Democratic Party leaders threatened a brutal opposition campaign.

Canciamilla registered as having "no party preference" in 2011.

  • He has a bachelor's degree in management from Saint Mary's College 
  • and a law degree from John F. Kennedy University. 
  • His wife, Laura, is an elected member of the Pittsburg School Board.


=======
It appears that the vital election process remains in excellent hands!

Much obliged, Greg,


David Nelson


All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Senator Boxer: Ending Long Lines on Election Day - 1/23/13

Posted:  23 Jan 13


On Wed, Jan 23, 2013 at 5:18 PM, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer <barbara.boxer@boxer.enews.senate.gov> wrote:



US Senator Barbara Boxer
News from Barbara Boxer, United States Senator from California
- - - - - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA - - - - -
January 23, 2013
Dear Friend:

Yesterday, on the first day of the 113th Congress, I reintroduced my election reform bill – the LINE Act – to ensure that American voters will never again be forced to wait in line for hours to cast their ballots.  Forcing American voters to stand in line for hours is tantamount to denying their fundamental right to vote.

President Obama was right to make election reform a priority in his Inaugural Address, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important legislation.  To read more, please click here.
Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator


To respond to this message, please click here.  This link will take you to a webpage where you can reply to messages that you receive from Senator Boxer’s office.
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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

SEMI-OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS (State, County, Local)

Updated: 7 Nov 12, 4:10 pm
Posted: 7 Nov 12, 05:15 am

Purpose

To give us a preliminary read on the election results.  

A complete listing is provided, courtesy of Contra Costa Election Division via the "Contra Costa Times."  Please note: there are 13 pages in the embeded list you will find at this link.  At the bottom of the inset (scrolling down), you will see "next." Click that, page-to-page.

Some Other Interesting Links

National Results (Google Map -- with quick tabs to Senatorial, House and Gubernatorial views)

Google Politics & Elections Home Page (with election stories, reactions, and analyses -- world-wide)

World Reaction to Obama Victory (SF Gate)

Election Results (California League of Women Voters website)




Semi-Official Election Results 

from the Contra Costa County Elections Division website

Election results are updated as often as new data is received from county elections offices after the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Many ballots are not counted on Election Day; county elections officials must report final official results to the Secretary of State by December 7.



Statewide Contests

Legislative and Congressional Contests

Special Election

Maps

Other Links








All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

THE PEOPLE, IN THEIR WISDOM, HAVE SPOKEN!

Posted: 6 Nov 12



SAIL ON, O SHIP OF STATE!
2012 Elections:  Another triumph for democracy



"... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" -- Abraham Lincoln

"Where liberty dwells, there is my country" -- Benjamin Franklin


"Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government" -- Thomas Jefferson


"Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated" -- Thomas Paine


“We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now” -- Martin Luther King Jr.





I am sure that every one of
my colleagues --
 Democrat, Republican, and Independent 
-- agrees with that statement. That in the
voting booth, every one is equal.
Barbara Boxer, US Senator, California



All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

LAST MINUTE #02!! Smart Voter News - November 5, 2012


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ernie Ting <ernie@smartvoter.org>
Date: Mon, Nov 5, 2012 at 11:56 AM
Subject: Smart Voter News - November 5, 2012



Smart Voter
Unbiased Election Information
I. Find Last-Minute Information on Your Candidates, Measures or Polling Place on Smart Voter


Can't decide who you should pick for Congress, state Legislature, or your city council?  Find exclusive profiles on nearly two thousand candidates in California, Ohio and Pennsylvania on Smart Voter.  Undecided about California propositions, Ohio issues or the Pennsylvania ballot question?  Find audio and video, and links to other background including the League's Pros and Cons.
California voters can use the brand new Next Generation version of Smart Voter at m.smartvoter.org to type in their address and get a personalized ballot.  Voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania can obtain personalized ballot information by going to our regular site at smartvoter.org.  For most voters, this includes a list of your local candidates and local ballot measures too. Before you drop off your vote-by-mail ballot or go to the polls, check Smart Voter to view all of that information in one place!

II. New Next Generation Smart Voter Features Election Stories, News and Alerts, Plus Video, Graphics and Mobile-Friendly Design


If you are a California voter, you can take advantage of the brand new Next Generation version of Smart Voter at m.smartvoter.org.  It's designed to be especially helpful for the quick information needs and smaller touch screens of smartphone and tablet owners — but provides a thought-provoking experience for laptop and desktop computer users too with extensive video, audio and graphics to help you understand your choices!
If you haven't already done so, check out the new kinds of featured and innovative content about election issues, contests, news coverage and the voting process.  And come back every day because the stories are updated regularly.

At this time the Next Generation site is in an extended "beta" testing phase and only supports California voting information.  
But never fear — after we complete our beta testing, we'll roll out the extensive capabilities of the Next Generation of Smart Voter to voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the US too!

And of course you can visit our 
conventional Smart Voter website for our valuable information on local elections occurring on other dates, and our archive of past elections.

III. Specific Questions for California Voters

myvote
In California, you can call 1-800-345-VOTE for questions about voting.  To review how to use your county's voting system, click this resource from the Secretary of State.

For the answers to other frequently asked questions about voting, go to the Secretary of State website or contact your county elections office.
Read Smart Voter's Voting Help.



We Need a More Informed Electorate!  Support Smart Voter to Make Our Service to the Public Even Better!
donatebutton
You too can contribute to Smart Voter to ensure that voters continue to have access to the best and most comprehensive "top-to-bottom" ballot information for every critical state and local election this year.  Contribute securely online.  Thank you!


*************************************************

Smart Voter® is managed by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation, in partnership with the Leagues of Women Voters in other states and communities across the United States.  The name Smart Voter® and its logo is a registered trademark of the LWVCEF.
Individual donations are a crucial part of our ability to provide you with programs and services.  To contribute online, visit our donation page and make your tax-deductible contribution, conveniently and safely.

© 2012 League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Smart Voter does not support or oppose candidates for public office or political parties,
and does not take positions on ballot issues.
The League of Women Voters works to encourage the activeand informed participation of citizens in government and to increase understanding of major public policy issues.

A RATIONAL VOTING STRATEGY -- Option #1

Posted on 10/11/12

Purpose

To provide helpfully reasoned out decision-guides.  To optimize a very big moment in the life of the Republic.  Inside those priceless, private voting booths.  Booths through which the public will empowers and directs the entire democracy at its service.


On Thu, Oct 11, 2012 at 5:46 PM, League of Women Voters of California <lwvc@lwvc.org> wrote:
                   

Dear Friend,

You can make a difference! Be sure to vote in this important  election, whether by mail or at the polls November 6.

And help your friends and family by forwarding this message to them.
YouTube Facebook Flickr Twitter

The League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) has recommendations on five of the eleven measures on the statewide ballot in November: Vote with the League!
  •  Vote YES on Propositions 30, 34 and 40.
    •  Vote NO on Propositions 31 and 32.
    • We are NEUTRAL on Propositions 38 and 39.  

    YES on Prop 30:
     Proposition 30 begins to move California toward financial stability and adequate funding for all the services we want from our government. A YES vote for Prop 30 is an investment for the coming generations.

    NO on Prop 31:
     Proposition 31 is based on good intentions and has some pieces that, taken alone, the League could support. However, Prop 31 has several significant flaws and raises questions about whether or not the provisions allow local governments to alter state environmental and public health requirements.

    NO on Prop 32:
     Proposition 32 promises “political reform” but is not what it seems. It was designed by special interests to help themselves and harm their opponents. It unfairly targets one set of large campaign donors while letting others benefit from special exemptions. Watch the No on Prop 32 ad featuring the LWVC's Second Vice President for Program and Advocacy, Helen Hutchison.

    YES on Prop 34: 
    The SAFE California Act will replace the death penalty in California with a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Convicted killers will stay in prison for the rest of their lives, saving over $100 million every year.

    YES on Prop 40:
     YES on Prop 40 affirms the Citizens Redistricting Commission’s state Senate maps and upholds the will of California voters who created the new independent redistricting process.
    We see some merit in the following two measures but have taken a neutral position on them because of their earmarking of revenues:

    NEUTRAL on PROP 38We are neutral on Our Children, Our Future, the measure supported by the California State PTA and activist Molly Munger. It provides significant funding for underfunded government services. However, in the longer term, it earmarks essentially all the new money for education and early childhood programs.


    NEUTRAL on PROP 39:
     This measure will close a tax loophole for multistate businesses, generating revenues of about $1 billion per year—a good thing. However, it earmarks about half the new revenue for the first five years, so that portion can only be used for energy efficiency and alternative energy projects.
    For information about our positions,
    1. Refer to the NEW LWVC Web site.
    2. Download our The League Recommends flyer and make copies for all of your friends and neighbors.
    Join the conversation and ask a question on our Facebook page.
    Please note: The League has not studied the issues in, and therefore has no recommendation on, Props 33, 35, 36 and 37.

    VOTE WITH THE LEAGUE ON NOVEMBER 6 and tell a friend!
    Warmly,




    Jennifer A. Waggoner
    President, League of Women Voters of California
    P.S. You can also support our work by donating today!

    LWV California                       
    1107 Ninth Street, Suite 300 | Sacramento, CA 95814
    phone: 916-442-7215 | fax: 916-442-7362 | email: lwvc@lwvc.org
    lwvc.org | cavotes.org | smartvoter.org | easyvoter.org
    © League of Women Voters ® of California
    Terms & Privacy Policy

    LAST MINUTE!! Everything you need to vote!


    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    From: League of Women Voters of California <lwvc@lwvc.org>
    Date: Mon, Nov 5, 2012 at 1:37 PM
    Subject: Democracy is not a spectator sport: forward this! Everything you need to vote.





    We know most of you receiving this newsletter have already voted. Now you can make a difference by forwarding this email to new and busy voters cramming for election day. This email has all the information they need to vote!

    Vote with the League!


    The League has recommendations on five of the eleven propositions on the November 6 ballot.

    Read, print and share our flyer.




    Watch, favorite and share videos about our recommendations
    or ask us questions on Facebook.


    Facebook Flickr Twitter


    yes on 40
    Last Minute Voting Help To Make Up Your Own Mind
    Review your entire ballot on your computer or via your mobile device using www.SmartVoter.org. Find many multi-media, nonpartisan resources to help you make an informed vote and find your polling place.

    NEW! Tired of reading? Still need help understanding the ballot measures? Watch these NEW videos from the LWVCEF and the California Channel.

    Ready to go to the Polls?
    Remember these tips when you go vote:
    -         You can make a mistake on your ballot twice and ask for a fresh ballot
    -         You can take notes and your child into the polling place
    -         If your name is not on the voter rolls, ask to vote by Provisional Ballot
    -         You can not wear campaign gear to the polls
    -         You may drop off your vote by mail ballot at any polling place in your county
    -         If you encounter problems at your polling place contact the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE
    Read more about voting in person. Questions? Ask us on Facebook.

    Please note: The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund provides neutral, nonpartisan voter information and education through services such as SmartVoter.org, the Easy Voter Guide Project, and CAvotes.org. It is separate and distinct from the League of Women Voters of California, which is a nonpartisan political organization that advocates on public policy issues and takes positions on ballot measures.

    This Initiative and Referendum Got You Down?
    Are you disturbed by the number of initiatives on the ballot?  Or by the control of the initiative process wielded by wealthy individuals and secret special interests? How many times did you have to explain the way the question for a referendum is phrased?
    If any of these questions—or any of myriad others raised about the initiative and referendum process in California—interest you, we urge you to contact your local League to find out how you can get involved in our state-wide study of the initiative and referendum process.
    If you are not yet a League member, join the League and participate in the study.

    LWV California
    1107 Ninth Street, Suite 300 | Sacramento, CA 95814
    phone: 916-442-7215 | fax: 916-442-7362 | email: lwvc@lwvc.org
    lwvc.org | cavotes.org | smartvoter.org | easyvoter.org
    © League of Women Voters ® of California
    Terms & Privacy Policy

    WebMD - PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COMPARISON

    Posted: 6 Nov 12



    ELECTION INFORMATION ACCUMULATOR ~~ Including Debate Videos

    Corrected: 11/1/12 -- Ballot measures listing corrected
    Updated: 10/18/12 
    Updating Process underway: 10/2/12 -- please check back over the coming days.
    First posted: 9/9/12

    PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION INFORMATION ACCUMULATOR


    Outline
    • Purpose
    • Discussion
    • 1.  Televised Presidential Debate Schedule (AND RESULTANT VIDEOS)
    • 2.  Key Political Convention Information -- with reviews of political fact-checking sites
    • 3.  General Voter Information - by State and more
    • 4.  CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURES
    • 5.  CONTRA COSTA COUNTY and OTHER BALLOT MEASURES
    • 6.  List of Other Relevant Articles on this Blog -- (I hope to consolidate these into one, ASAP)

    Purpose


    To gather, all in one convenient place, useful voter information for the upcoming Presidential, State and Local elections



    TUESDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2012

    Discussion

    a.  This is a work in progress.  More useful information will be added as it comes to mind.  Suggestions for useful additions are welcomed in the comment space below.  


    b.  Over recent months, a number of blog articles have been published and are link-listed in Section 4., below.  As soon as possible, I will begin consolidating the information from these sources into one convenient place.


    c.  CHECK BACK OFTEN.  Please report any broken links or unexpected linkage-shifts.



      1.  TELEVISED PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE SCHEDULE &
      *** RESULTANT VIDEOS!! ***
      1. Wed. Oct 3 Obama/Romney, domestic policy
      2. Thur. Oct 11 Biden/Ryan, foreign & domestic policy
      3. Tues. Oct 16 Obama/Romney, town hall foreign & domestic
      4. Mon. Oct 22 Obama/Romney foreign policy


      2.  KEY POLITICAL CONVENTION INFORMATION
      Reviews by Political Fact-checkers (Google search)


      Democratic Party (Wikipedia discussion)
      Democratic National Convention (Wikipedia discussion)
      2012 Democratic National Convention Official Website

      President Obama (Wikipedia discussion)

      Vice President Biden (Wikipedia discussion)

      DNC Speeches -- Videos and Transcripts (Google search)

      Nomination Keynote Address - Former President Clinton (Full speech and Transcript - Washington Post)
      Acceptance Speech - President Obama (Full speech and Transcript - Washington Post)
      Acceptance Speech - Vice President Biden (Full speech and Transcript - Washington Post)



      Republican Party (Wikipedia discussion)

      Republican National Convention (Wikipedia discussion)
      2012 Republican National Convention Official Website

      Governor Romney (Wikipedia discussion)

      Representative Ryan (Wikipedia discussion)

      RNC Speeches -- Videos and Transcripts (Google search)

      Acceptance Speech - Governor Romney (Full speech and Transcript - Washington Post)
      Acceptance Speech - Representative Ryan (Full speech and Transcript - Washington Post)




      3.  GENERAL VOTER INFORMATION

      Elections in the United States (Wikipedia discussion)

      General Voter Information - by State (Google search)*
      League of Women Voters (Google search)


      *For more State-specific information, check with own State's Secretary of State websites





      4.  CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURES


      Propositions

      5.  CONTRA COSTA COUNTY and OTHER BALLOT MEASURES


      6.  LIST OF OTHER RELEVANT ARTICLES 
      ON THIS BLOG



      4.1  County Supervisor, Federal Glover, urges voters to go to the polls 

      4.2  PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION INFORMATION ACCUMULATOR
      To gather, all in one convenient place, useful voter information for the upcoming Presidential elections,

      4.3  EASY VOTER GUIDE -- For New and Busy Voters
      General material and list of California propositions

      4.4  ATTENTION! ELECTORAL CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE
      As another attempt by the City-Journal to serve the public good, this is to invite all candidates for local (City, County, and SF Bay Area-Regional) public office to submit relevant material for inclusion in this City-Journal. 

      4.5  VOTING: 2012 CALIFORNIA ELECTION CALENDAR
      information was found at the California Secretary of State Debra Bowen's official website.

      4.6  ELECTIONS -- 11/6/12 -- GENERAL & LOCAL INFORMATION
      To provide more information  -- local and national -- to fellow citizens, concerning the upcoming elections.

      4.7  MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL OFFICE 
      To help voters become better acquainted with the candidates for local office on the City Council and School Board.  As more relevant information becomes available, it will be added here, as appropriate.  So far, information has been sparse.  Please check back often.

      4.8  A RATIONAL VOTING STRATEGY -- Option #1 

      http://vnylcitygov.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-rational-voting-strategy-option-1.html
      To provide helpfully reasoned out decision-guides.  To optimize a very big moment in the life of the Republic.  Inside those priceless, private voting booths.  Booths through which the public will empowers and directs the entire democracy at its service.

      4.9  THREE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES 
      http://vnylcitygov.blogspot.com/2012/10/three-school-board-candidates.html


      Three candidates seeking seat on Pittsburg Unified School District Board (Contra Costa Times).


      David Nelson


      All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.