Take Action California: Can't vote but still want to be a part of the civic process?

Election Day

Nov 6, 2012

Can't vote but still want to be a part of the civic process?

OCT 29, 2012

Even though voting is an essential part of engaging in the civic process, it's not the only way to take part. Below are some ways for people to take action and be a part of change outside the ballot box:

Offering rides to people who can't drive or walk to their polling place. Helping your community to the polling makes your community voice that much stronger.

Encouraging and educating people about the propositions and candidates. Just because you are not voting doesn't mean that you can't voice your opinions about who and what you think should be focused on in this election.

Volunteer campaigns and non-profit organizations always need extra help with get out the vote efforts and increasing voter knowledge. Volunteering just a couple of hours a week can make a huge impact. These activities include: PhoneBanking, Canvassing, Database entry

Write letters, make visits or call your elected officials' offices, protest in rallies and demonstrations and sign petitions! These are all ways you can engage in the political process during election season and beyond.

Proposition Watch!

A lot of us have heard about Proposition 30 and 32, but many don't know about the 9 other state propositions and local measures on the ballot. Black Women for Wellness will be doing a proposition day for the next several days to get out the information on the other props. Today we are tackling Prop 35.

Black Women for Wellness is firmly against human trafficking of all kinds, however, Proposition 35 is not the answer to address trafficking in our state. California already has strong anti-trafficking legislation that protects all survivors of human trafficking. Prop. 35 is a misleading proposition that has the potential to do more harm than good. We oppose Prop. 35 for the following reasons:

Anyone that associates with a person under the age of 18 who trades sex could be criminalized and considered a trafficker even if there was no force, fraud or coercion involved. This includes:

Young people in the sex trade who are homeless and using strategies to be safer; such as sharing space, food, and resources
People of color, queer, immigrant, and low-income communities that are already unfairly targeted by the criminal justice system

Proposition 35 re-defines commercialized sex for minors so broadly that any trade of value would be seen as commercialized sex. This could include going to the movies or buying dinner.[1]

Kathleen Kim, Professor of Law at Loyola Law School and author of AB 22, California's current human trafficking law, says, "The CASE Act [Proposition 35]circumvents compensation for victims." Survivors who would be entitled to hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages for enduring forced labor conditions, restriction of movement and severe psychological and physical abuse, would be redirected to special interest non-profits and government agencies."[2]

[1]www.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWHlUSGZUMSY&ei=w-2KUMiuAcTz0gHLv4HwDw&usg=AFQjCNGaySZRPmD4izbIO0mifbXZyfd1RQ

[2] http://noonprop35.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/analysis-of-the-case-act-by-kathleen-kim/

More information about Proposition 35

DEBATE PARTY/PHONE BANKING TONIGHT

Watching the debate have you yelling at the television? Do you feel like you want to do something about it? Join Black Women for Wellness for our debate/phone banking party tonight from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Refreshment will be served! You may also join us all week throughout the day for more phone banking!

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Last Day to register for an absentee ballot is tomorrow, Oct. 30, 2012

Yep, that's right, the election is only 8 days a way. Do you need a mail in ballot? Below are some reasons why you might want to register for a mail in ballot

You want to vote early. You've made up your mind, why wait?
You might not be home.
You have to travel a lot for work unexpectedly.
You are in the hospital and not sure if you will be able to get home by polling date.
You are schedule for a medical procedure near or on election day.
You can't take the hours off of work (legally you can take from 1-4 hours to vote, however that time might not be paid).
You moved recently and didn't get time to re-register to vote.
In jail for a traffic ticket or other misdemeanor.

Use the link below to register for absentee ballots, polling information, preview of your ballot and more information about local measures and state propositions.