My Ballot: San Francisco, Democrat, March 3 2020
As usual, I’m sharing my ballot for the upcoming election here along with brief summaries of why I made the choices I did. Reach out to me however you like to discuss it.
Democratic Presidential Nominee
Elizabeth Warren
Warren is my first choice. The Iowa caucus is happening as I write this, and I don’t know any results yet. By the time March 3rd arrives, I’ll need to see her delegate count to know if she has the best chance to beat Biden and other candidates who don’t support Medicare For All.
If she isn’t showing up in the numbers from other states and he is, then I will vote for…
Bernie Sanders
My choice in the 2016 primary, and the creator of the best bill we’ve seen for universal healthcare on a nationwide scale. Medicare For All is my #1 issue in this year’s elections, and I will not be voting for any candidate in the primary that doesn’t support it.
Disclaimer I feel the need to state everywhere lately: I will vote for the candidate that has the best chance to beat Trump in November, no matter who they are.
UPDATE 02.19.2020 – Warren For President
After watching the Nevada debate and reading up on the current polling across the country and within my state of California, I’ve decided not to settle for less than my first choice and vote for Elizabeth Warren.
Let’s all join together and vote for whoever has the best chance to beat Trump in November.
Congress: California District 12
Shahid Buttar
I’ve been following Buttar since 2016. He is a progressive that better suits my beliefs and goals for our society than anyone else running for this seat. Working toward securing our civil liberties in matters of privacy, LGBTQ equality, and climate justice is exactly what I want my senator doing.
Learn more about Shahid Buttar:
In case that’s not enough, watch this short video of him last year:
Nancy Pelosi has done great things in her career, but she’s become entrenched. It’s been a long time since she had any idea what life was like for regular Californians, especially for our young voters. Now that we have an excellent candidate for the office, I believe it’s time for a new face.
California State Senator, District 11
Jackie Fielder
Jackie Fielder is an excellent candidate who I believe to be simultaneously on the right side of history while managing to still have realistic ideas on how to get there.
Learn more about Jackie Fielder:
I don’t want to pile onto the hate for Scott Wiener too much, but after supporting him and following him since I moved out here it seems like he has made too many compromises with local big businesses. It’s not that I believe him to be a bad actor, but I do think he’s misguided by the most vocal people in the SF Democratic party… and many of those vocal people can afford to do so because all they do all day is collect rent.
Nonpartisan Offices
For these votes, I honestly just follow the League of Pissed Off Voters recommendations unless my quick research into their recommendations provides any red flags.
Judge of the Superior Court
- Seat #1: Maria Evangelista
- Seat #18: Michelle Tong
- Seat #21: Carolyn Gold
California Propositions on the March 3 2020 Ballot
Prop 13: Repair and Modernize Schools
Yes. I’ve visited some of our schools for events and sometimes to vote, and we desperately need some maintenance. It’s exactly the kind of “unsexy” work that we can’t afford to neglect.
Prop A: Repair, Earthquake Prep, and Training for SF City College
Yes. I wish this didn’t need to be voted on. This stuff needs doing, and shouldn’t have to pass through the misinformation-ridden prop system to get done.
Pop B: SF Earthquake Safety
Yes. [COPY-PASTE] I wish this didn’t need to be voted on. This stuff needs doing, and shouldn’t have to pass through the misinformation-ridden prop system to get done.
Prop C: Include SF Housing Authority Retirees in Healthcare Coverage
Yes. Hopefully we’ll get Medicare For All someday, but in the meantime, we gotta take care of our own bit by bit.
Prop D: SF Vacancy Tax
Yes!!! Thousand times yes. We have to do so much more to get housing under control here, but those changes require funding. We may as well do our best to reduce the perverse incentives for using empty homes as a financial investment in the process.
Prop E: Tie Authorization for New Office Spaces to Affordable Housing
Yes! Make sure we’re creating affordable housing before corporate interests get their real estate.