Election 2020: Health Equity Voter Guide

October 12, 2020 | Advocacy, Staff Blog.

At The Health Trust, we know that taking care of ourselves by eating well and staying active, not smoking, getting the recommended immunizations and screening tests, and seeing a doctor when we are sick all influence our health. But our health is also greatly impacted by our access to social and economic opportunities; the resources and support systems available in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities; the quality of our schooling; the safety of our workplaces; the cleanliness of our water, food, and air; and the nature of our social interactions and relationships.

Voters have already begun receiving vote-by-mail ballots and have the opportunity to vote on a variety of propositions tackling some of our toughest challenges in the state, including growing racial disparities, persistent gaps in educational attainment, an affordable housing crisis, and inequities in our voting and justice systems.

In Santa Clara County, voters will also weigh in on measures designed to increase police oversight and participation amongst communities historically marginalized from city politics, as well as protecting and preserving access to safe and clean water and open space.

The following voter recommendations focus on statewide and local ballot measures that seek to address health and racial equity.

Download Voter Guide PDF

California Propositions:

YES on Proposition 15 – Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties to Fund Schools and Local Governments

Proposition 15 would tax commercial and industrial properties worth more than $3 million based on the current market value, rather than the purchase price. Proposition 15 does not include homes or commercial and industrial properties zoned for agriculture.

Currently, commercial and industrial properties pay far less property tax than homeowners do per acre. For example, a study completed in 2012 found that in Palo Alto IBM pays the equivalent of $200 per acre of land in property tax, while Palo Alto homeowners pay the equivalent of $130,000 per acre.

The revenue generated by this tax will go towards funding both local schools and governments facing dire budgetary shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The estimated 2020-2021 revenues from Prop 15 would be approximately $256 million to Santa Clara County and $77 million to the city of San Jose. Proposition 15 will help protect our schools and essential government services. Vote YES on Proposition 15.

YES on Proposition 16 – Eliminate Affirmative Action Ban

Proposition 16 would repeal 1996’s Proposition 209, better known as the “Affirmative Action Ban”. If passed Prop 16 would allow government institutions and public education to consider race, sex, or ethnicity in admissions, hiring, and contracting.

California has an incredible public university system with two of the most prestigious public universities in the country, including UC Berkeley. After the implementation of Proposition 209, UC Berkeley saw its freshman admittance rate for Black, Latinx, and Native American students drop by 50%. Proposition 209 also negatively impacted minority and women-owned businesses. A 2015 study shows that since Prop 209’s implementation, minority and women-owned businesses have lost $820 million per year in contracts with the State of California, $200 million per year in contracts with the City of San Francisco, $30 million per year in contracts with the City of Oakland, and $20 million per year in contracts with the City of San Jose.

By overturning Prop 209, Prop 16 expands equitable opportunity for all Californians, by increasing access to fair wages, good jobs, and quality schools while fighting wage discrimination and systemic racism. All of which will open up opportunities for women and people of color. Vote YES on Proposition 16.

YES on Proposition 17 – Restore the Right to Vote for Californians on Parole

Proposition 17 would restore the right to vote for Californians on parole so that people who have completed their prison term can fully participate in our democracy. Two-thirds of Californians on parole are Black or Latinx. Biases in the criminal justice system mean that poor people and people of color are more likely than others to be convicted of crimes and to lose their voting rights. Many of these previously incarcerated Californians spent their time in prison voluntarily fighting our dangerous fire season and helping to keep us safe. Additionally, evidence shows that people who are able to become civically engaged in their communities after they are released are actually three times more likely to never be arrested again. These nearly 50,0000 Californians have served their time, and deserve the right to have their voices heard in elections as the citizens they are. Vote YES on Proposition 17.

YES on Proposition 18 – Voting Rights for Some 17-Year-Olds

Proposition 18 would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary and special elections so long as they will turn 18 by the next General Election. Currently, nineteen other states, including D.C., allow 17-year-olds to vote in the primary election if they will be 18 by the general election. These states recognize the importance of allowing 18-year-olds to vote, to help form their voting habits and amplify their voices. Before turning 18, we already trust 17 year-olds with the responsibility to enlist in the military. We also count on young people to contribute to the economy before they turn 18. Young people are deeply affected by major election issues such as climate change, gun laws, student debt, health care, and the economy. Giving first-time voters the ability to participate in the full election cycle will help young people build a lifelong habit of civic participation. Vote Yes on Proposition 18.

NO on Proposition 20 – Criminal Sentencing Changes and DNA Collection

Proposition 20 would roll-back some of the criminal justice reforms that have led to a decrease in prison populations and an increase in investments in our communities, such as crime prevention programs and services for victims of crime. It would reduce the threshold for felony theft, which transforms a number of theft offenses from misdemeanors to potential felonies; prevent some incarcerated people from earning credit for good behavior or for their participation in rehabilitative programs; potentially return people to jail automatically for parole violations, and require DNA collection for certain misdemeanors.

Increasing penalties for certain property crimes would mean more teenagers and people of color could serve years for low-level, non-violent crimes since prosecutors are more likely to charge people of color with crimes that carry heavy sentences. By allowing more crimes to be charged as felonies, Proposition 20 is likely to disenfranchise more people of color than white people. Vote No on Proposition 20.

YES on Proposition 21– Local Rent Control

Proposition 21 would replace the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act and permit local governments to enact rent control provided that landlords would receive both just and reasonable financial returns on their rental properties. The measure excludes both houses that were first occupied within the last 15 years and units owned by persons who own no more than two housing units with separate titles, such as single-family homes, condos, and some duplexes. The State of California and specifically areas like Silicon Valley are suffering from an unprecedented housing crisis, an issue that has only been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prop 21 will help ensure that more California residents have access to affordable rent. Vote Yes on Proposition 21.

YES on Proposition 25 – Replace Cash Bail with Risk Assessments

Proposition 25 would remove cash-based bail from the state criminal justice system and instead utilize a risk assessment protocol that doesn’t base freedom on the ability to pay but on the public safety risk of the defendant. People of color are disproportionately impacted by the cash-based bail system and a risk assessment protocol would enable more people of color to remain free awaiting trial. At the same time, enabling a risk assessment protocol would ensure that dangerous criminals are kept off the streets, no matter how wealthy they might be. Vote Yes on Proposition 25.

Santa Clara County Measures:

YES on Measure S – Renew Safe, Clean Water, and Natural Flood Protection Program

Measure S asks voters to renew the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s existing parcel task, which averages just $.006 per square foot annually. Measure S would not increase any current parcel taxes, includes annual audits on the funds, and an exemption for qualifying seniors.

In addition to ensuring that Santa Clara Valley residents have access to clean and safe drinking water, Measure S would also allocate $2 billion in infrastructure improvement to keep us safe from natural disasters, bring an estimated 40,000 much-needed jobs to the area, and includes funding to clean-up homeless encampments, in partnership with local social service agencies. Vote Yes on Measure S.

YES on Measure T – Renew Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority

Measure T seeks to renew Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority’s existing $24 annual parcel tax. Measure T will not increase parcel taxes. Throughout Santa Clara County, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space provides residents with 26 miles of free trails for walking, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

These 26 miles of trails have been important since their establishment, but especially so during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent closing of local parks and indoor exercise options. Numerous studies have shown that access to open space improves residents’ overall health and mental well-being; including, reducing residents’ risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Vote Yes on Measure T.

City of San José Measures:

YES on Measure G – Police Oversight and City Charter Amendment

Measure G asks voters to expand the Independent Police Auditor’s oversight, including review of officer-involved shootings, use of force incidents causing death or great bodily injury, and review of department-initiated investigations against officers. These actions would ensure that San Jose residents of color experience a more equitable engagement with San Jose Police Officers. The measure would also increase the Planning Commission to 11 members with one member from each Council District and one “at-large” member, increasing diversity and equitable representation of the city’s most powerful commission. Finally, Measure G would allow the Council to establish timelines for redistricting when Census results are late. Vote Yes on Measure G.