California Special Election Watch: Proposition 77 – FLAP Says Vote YES

Dear Friends and Family,

I’m not sure if you know that I’ve been on the ground in California for the past three weeks. I have been touring the state and over 15 college campuses in an RV, a little bit of Road Rules meets the West Wing. Our team of 5 has blitzed campuses, concerts, and communities, and we’ve met thousands of young voters interested in learning about the Special Election and encouraging them to support Prop 77. It has been an amazing experience and one that I will never forget. You can read the chronicles of our adventures at www.mobilize.org/prop77. There are pictures and a daily blog that will allow you to share in our exciting journey. However, this entire voyage ends tomorrow at the polling booth. I am asking you to join me and draw the line on November 8^th by voting YES on Prop 77.

You might support Governor Schwarzenegger or you might strongly oppose his initiatives and this special election. Either way, I want to draw your attention to Proposition 77 – The Voter Empowerment Act. This is an important piece of reform that makes sense and transcends partisan ideology. It is simply about fair and competitive elections.

Currently, elected officials draw their own district lines, allowing them to choose the voters they feel will vote for them. This has resulted in a 100% incumbency rate and not a single seat changing party hands since the bi-partisan gerrymander in 2001. Yes, Republicans and Democrats joined forces to keep the people out and ensure they had safe seats throughout this decade. It is time to stand up and create a government that works with us, for us, and puts people over politics. Our society is based on democracy in the marketplace and at the ballot box. When a corporation monopolizes an industry it hurts the economy and is broken up for the good of the nation. We, the voting public, must mobilize to bust the political monopoly in Sacramento.

Some say that this measure is not perfect and others claim it is a power grab. I agree that there can be additions to this measure to make sure the independent panel that will draw the boundary lines will be truly representative of the people (these provisions are already being drafted for next year, but we need to pass Prop 77 first). Yet, in the 1970s and 1990s when the legislature could not come to an agreement, judges stepped in and drew lines that made sense and increase competition throughout the state. Additionally, the 90s saw the largest increase in minority and women representation as they were not locked out of the system by their preceding politicians. In terms of a power grab, the only one gaining power when we pass Prop 77 tomorrow is the people. Ohio has a similar measure being voted upon on Tuesday, so let’s join our brothers and sisters in reform and pass Prop 77. We will finally have a choice on Election Day and be able to choose leaders that represent us.

I know you are busy and probably have watched hundreds of ads about this proposition and the others. I just wanted to remind you that tomorrow is Election Day and this is your opportunity to play a role in shaping our government. I urge you to join me, our all-partisan coalition of organizations, every major newspaper in the state, our brothers/sisters in Ohio voting on a similar reform measure there, and good government advocates everywhere and vote YES for Prop 77!

The latest polls have us behind by a few points. I ask that you forward this email to 5 of your friends in California and include a personal note encouraging them to join YOU in voting Yes on Prop 77.

For more information about your polling location and the other propositions (we have a great non-partisan, pocket sized guide ready for download), please visit www.mobilize.org. Thank you for your time and for participating in this great experiment that is democracy.

GO VOTE!

Dave

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More than 30 of the country’s leading national advocacy organizations believe in the Youth Policy Action Center. You will too! Please visit http://www.youthpolicyactioncenter.org

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David B. Smith
Executive Director