More than 50 San Diegans attended a voter education forum Thursday that explained ballot measures and voting rights and urged residents to take part in the Nov. 3 election.
Hosted by Greater Life Community Development Corporation at the Greater Life Baptist Church Lemon Grove, the forum featured speakers from San Diego Black Think Tank, BAPAC, ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, San Diego Organizing Project and Voice & Viewpoint newspaper. California Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, whose district covers Lemon Grove, also attended.
“This is so much more than just the vote; it’s about getting involved in the community,” said Stephen Walters, president of the Greater Life Community Development Corporation. Walters said the elections present an opportunity to change the dynamics of the community if only residents voted.
Greater Life senior pastor Nate Stewart said the forum was about “making sure that we understand the importance of exercising our rights to vote,” and learning the measures in order to be better informed on Election Day.
Tine Thompson, co-founder of Black Think Tank San Diego, explained two statewide ballot measures to residents: Prop. 43, which would require two-thirds voter approval instead of a simple majority for citizen-initiated local special taxes, and Prop. 45, which would speed environmental reviews for housing and infrastructure projects deemed essential by overhauling the California Environmental Quality Act.
Thompson described the measures as “definitely community-focused.” She explained Prop. 43 concerns how much voter support is needed to fund local services and projects like roads, parks, libraries, and other local priorities that affect people’s daily lives. While Prop. 45 proposes faster review procedures for certain projects, such as housing, water systems, schools, and wildfire-risk reduction.
She implored residents to “understand what a ‘Yes’ vote would do [and] understand what a ‘No’ vote would do,” and cast their ballot when the time comes.
Ellen Nash of BAPAC, a Black-led nonprofit that has canvassed support for Black California politicians such as Secretary of State Shirley Weber, San Diego City Councilmember Henry Foster III and County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, encouraged voters to vote early.
“By the time the ballot hits our [mail] box, we should be informed voters,” Nash said. She said attending voter education forums, conferring with neighbors and friends about the elections and reading about ballot measures and races would help voters make informed decisions at the ballot box.
Nash supported Prop. 40 that could apply a one-time tax to billionaires to fund education and health care. “The case for ‘Yes,’ for Black Californians, the strongest argument is redistribution towards services that matter disproportionately to economically vulnerable households,” she said. Nash said the measure will replace federal funding for health care that California could lose. Props. 41 and 42 are countering Prop. 40.
Voice & Viewpoint newspaper publisher Dr. John E. Warren was straightforward when he took the stage to explain the ramifications of the election and the importance of civic education.
“I am voting in support of [statewide] propositions 1,2,3,4,5, 37, 38, and 40,” he said. He won’t vote for props. 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45.
Dr. Warren reminded residents of the importance of voting, particularly Black voters, many of whom could not vote freely until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed, following decades of political struggle. He said many Black parents shielded their children from the political persecution they endured, leaving younger generations without a full understanding of the power they now have to vote.
“I’m very disappointed that we don’t share more of the context with the rest of you,” Dr. Warren said.
Representatives from the San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP) emphasized voting as a hard-won right and that faith communities have a role in getting people to the polls and protecting the election process. They said communities could organize to accompany or drive voters to the polls.
Three representatives from the ACLU San Diego & Imperial Counties enlightened voters on voter access, and Prop. 39, which would require voters to present government-issued photo ID at the polls and direct election officials to confirm that every registered voter is a U.S. citizen.
Frederick Carroll, ACLU legal director, said voters can cast mail ballots after the Supreme Court refused to let the Postal Service enforce a rule limiting mail ballot delivery. He said students, military and overseas voters, unhoused people, and many people with criminal records are eligible to vote so long as they are not in a federal facility.
An ACLU representative urged a “No” vote on Prop. 39, arguing that its proposed voter ID and citizenship-verification requirements could make voting harder and lead to valid mail ballots being rejected.
“Voting rights are under attack,” the representative said.
