The 2020 presidential and 2018 midterm elections marked the highest voter turnout in over a century. Californians had good reason to make their voices heard; this year is no exception. This November 8, Angelenos will head to the polls to vote on several important issues facing our state, county, and city. This November, the Los Angeles Urban League is looking at four propositions that need your attention.
On May 2, 2022, the public received a warning that the Supreme Court would strike down Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization allowing states across the country to strip women of their right to choose. Proposition 1 will ensure that Californians have the freedom to make their own medical decisions with their health care providers — based on scientific facts, not a political agenda.
How our city moves forward and the way we can make an impact in our lives and the lives of others are on the ballot this November.
Proposition 1 would change the California Constitution to say that the state cannot deny or interfere with a person’s reproductive freedom and that people have the fundamental right to choose: (1) whether or not to have an abortion; and (2) Whether or not to use contraceptives. A “Yes” vote on this measure would change the California Constitution to expressly include existing rights to reproductive freedom. A “No” vote on this measure would not change the California Constitution and existing rights to reproductive freedom would continue under other state laws. The Los Angeles Urban League recommends a YES vote on Proposition 1 to ensure that women in California can choose for themselves what is best for their bodies and their families.
Propositions 26 and 27 would legalize and expand online and in-person sports betting. The Los Angeles Urban League recommends a NO vote for Propositions 26 and 27. Supporters of these propositions have invested $350 million worth of advertising in support of these propositions (with more to come before the election). As stated in the Los Angeles Times, “[t]he huge sums and high stakes illustrate, yet again, how much California’s system of direct democracy — originally envisioned as a populist tool to circumvent corporate influence on the Legislature — has morphed into a venue for industry fights and a forum for special interests to write their laws and regulations through the ballot box.”
Locally, as last week’s letter covered, Proposition LH would allow Los Angeles to use existing funds to expand access to affordable housing. The Los Angeles Urban League supports Proposition LH and recommends a YES vote. By voting YES on Proposition LH, the city will receive authorization for up to 75,000 new publicly funded affordable housing units, a necessity as our affordable housing crisis grows.
How our city moves forward and the way we can make an impact in our lives and the lives of others are on the ballot this November. When heading to the polls, we urge our community to Vote YES on Propositions 1 and LH and NO on Propositions 26 and 27. For more information on these propositions and all the issues up for a vote this November, download the California Voter Information Guide and the LA County Registrar’s website.