click Carolyn Martin, Speakers Bureau Director Vickie Chenevey, Voters Service Director League of Women Voters – Orange Coast

click Today’s Agenda 1.About the League of Women Voters 2.How to Evaluate Ballot Measures 3.Statewide Proposition Pros and Cons 4.County Propositions Pros and Cons 5.Where can I get information?

click The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. LWV Mission Statement

click Empower citizens to shape better communities worldwide Founded in February 1920, six months before the 19 th Amendment giving women the right to vote was ratified The league is nonpartisan and never supports political parties or candidates The league studies issues, develops consensus positions, and actively works to support those positions We have two separate and distinct roles: Voters Service/Citizen Education Action/Advocacy League of Women Voters

click Join the League orangecoast.ca.lwvnet.org Membership is open to men and women of all ages Contribute valuable service to the community Gain knowledge and experience through the study and discussion of timely and important topics Discover new interests, develop new skills and learn about crucial issues in your community Make professional contacts and develop lasting friendships League of Women Voters

click Evaluating Measures

click YES = change NO = leave the situation as it is Evaluating Measures

click Is it… Too complex for a “yes’ or “no” answer? The solution to the problem? Written well? Paid for? Does it… Create new problems? Restrict the state budget? Belong in the Constitution? Evaluating Measures

click Who is really supporting or opposing it? Everything except the California Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) statements are advertisements. Initiatives can only be amended with another initiative. Evaluating Measures

click Statewide Proposition

click Members of the Legislature: Suspension Proposition 50

click Proposition 50 Question Should the state Constitution be amended to authorize the Legislature to suspend its members, with or without salary and benefits?

click Currently, the Constitution reads: The Senate and the Assembly Houses may expel one of its members who is accused of wrongdoing by a 2/3 vote of that house. It does not provide for suspension; however each house may, by majority, suspend one of its members. Proposition 50 Situation

click Proposition 50 History In 2014, three CA Senators were accused of felonies. The Senate voted to suspend them. They were not allowed to vote on bills or take other legislative action. But they continued to receive their salaries and benefits while suspended because there was no mechanism to prevent this.

click Proposition 50 Proposal Amend the Constitution to authorize the suspension of a member, with or without salary and benefits, by a 2/3 vote of members. The reasons for suspension and rules when it would end would have to be set forth. The rules would require either a suspension end on a certain date, or that a vote be taken in the future to end it.

click Proposition 50 Fiscal Impact Suspension is rare. In most years Proposition 50 would have no effect on state or local finances. In the future, there could be minor savings to the state.

click Proposition 50 – A YES Vote Means: The State Constitution is amended to require a 2/3 vote of the Senate or Assembly in order to suspend a state legislator. The Senate or Assembly could eliminate the legislator’s salary and benefits during the suspension.

click Proposition 50 – A NO Vote Means: The Senate or Assembly could still suspend with a majority vote. BUT the suspended legislator would continue to receive a state salary and benefits.

click Proposition 50 Supporters Say: There should be a mechanism short of expulsion for suspending members without pay who have been accused of wrongdoing. Proposition 50 sets a higher bar to prevent lawmakers from unjustly punishing each other. Supporters: California Forward

click Proposition 50 Opponents Say: Expulsion is the correct punishment for members accused of wrongdoing. Suspending a member leaves their constituents without representation. Under Proposition 50, members of the Legislature could vote to suspend a member who supports unpopular issues. Opponents: California Term Limits California Election Integrity Project

click Countywide Propositions

click Establishment of the Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission Measure A

click Two key issues: Monitoring of County Campaign Finance Reform ordinance (TINCUP) by citizen activist (Shirley Grindle) Enforcement of County anti-corruption ordinances currently by elected official (DA) Measure A Situation

click Long time efforts to transfer both to a non-partisan “Ethics Commission” In November 2014, Measure E attempt by Board of Supervisors to move enforcement to “Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)”. Passed but due to technicality was not implemented. After pressure by Shirley Grindle and a team of supporters, Board of Supervisors put “Ethics Commission” on June 2016 ballot. Measure A History

click Establish an independent “Ethics Commission” composed of 5 members to enforce County campaign finance, gift ban, lobbyist ordinances Commissioners appointed from each supervisory district - Serve 3 year terms, 2-term limitation, without salary - Strict qualifications (no conflict of interest, no professional relationship with elected/appointed county officials for ten prior years) Staff includes paid “Executive Director” and staff to: - Enforce (with subpoena power as needed) - Track and report quarterly on violations - Train office holders and candidates - Hold regular “Ethics Commission” meetings in public forum Measure A Proposal

click Costs: - Salary of the Executive Director and the commission staff - Commissioner’s expenses - Commission programs (e.g., training of officials/candidates) Establishes fine penalties which would go to the County General Fund Measure A Fiscal Impact

click Supporters Say Establishes the long awaited independent ethics commission to enforce, investigate violations of, and punish violations of the relevant ethics codes. Provides means for prosecuting ethics violations. Provides training of elected/appointed officials to lesson number of violations. Supporters: Four of the five Board of Supervisors Shirley Grindle (author of TINCUP, Gift Ban Ordinance) Dean of University of California, Irvine School of Law Measure A Supporters Say:

click Measure A Opponents Say: No Opposition Statements

click Auditor-Controller’s Fiscal Impact Statement Measure B

click Currently there is no requirement to provide a fiscal impact of passage of an Orange County ballot measure. Measure B Situation

click Voters do not know the potential costs and revenue of passage of a ballot measure - If known, this could impact their voting decision. The State does require fiscal impact statements; this measure would bring the County up to State standards. Measure B History

click If passed, the County will: 1.Pay the costs of having the auditor controller evaluate the fiscal impact of the measure and costs 2.Prepare the fiscal impact statement Measure B Fiscal Impact

click The potential revenue and costs to the County is a valid concern and should be taken into consideration when voting on an initiative. Supporters: Orange County Board of Supervisors Measure B Supporters Say:

click Measure B Opponents Say: No Opposition Statements

click Ballot Information Resources votersedge.org easyvoterguide.org cavotes.org voterguide.sos.ca.gov

click Ballot Information Resources Orange County Registrar of Voters Website: Paperless sample ballot: registration/ registration/ California Secretary of State Website: Online Registration Online Voter Guide Cal-Access cal-access.sos.ca.gov

click OC Registrar of Voters – Voting Tip Press Release April 23, 3016 from OC ROV “Yes it's true, there are 34 candidates running for U.S. Senate. What's important about this? Keep in mind that you can only vote for 1 of these candidates - don't vote for more than 1 or your vote won't be counted - and we don't want that! This contest will appear on a single page on your vote-by-mail ballot with the candidates in two columns. It is clearly marked that you can only vote for "1" and that the contest extends onto the next column. Take your time and make your selection by marking one candidate - simple as that.” 34 Candidates for U.S. Senate Vote-by-mail ballot will have 2 columns on a single page Vote for only 1

click Secretary of State – Voter Information ALL VOTERS CAN VOTE IN A PRIMARY ELECTION No party preference voters can request ballots for: 1.Democratic Party 2.American Independent Party 3.Libertarian Party You must be registered as a party member to vote for: 1.Republican Party 2.Green Party 3.Peace & Freedom Party

click Important Dates June 7 Primary Election: May 23Last Day to Register May 31Last Day to Apply for Vote-by-Mail Ballot November 8 General Election: October 24Last Day to Register November 1Last Day to Apply for Vote-by-Mail Ballot

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