Deadline to Register to Vote is TODAY, Monday, October 23rd!

If you haven't gotten your voter's guide in the mail yet, that means you're probably not registered. If you've moved since the last elelction and haven't re-registered, you need to do so TODAY in order to be eligible for the next election.

Here is what you should do:

Go to your nearest post office or library and pick up a voter registration form (it's large-sized with black, red and light green print on white cardstock). If they are out, go straight to the County Building downtown. Go to the Elections Office where you can fill out the form there and turn it in right there. (County Building is located at Water and Ocean Street in Santa Cruz.)

IF YOU fill in the form and want to send it in, it MUST be postmarked by today. That means you should be sure that you turn in somewhere before the designated mail pickup time.

Even though voting can sometimes seem disappointing when things we believe in don't pass and decent politicians don't get elected, it is important to exercise your rights, even in the face of corruption. There are people who are working overtime to encourage people NOT to vote.... voting can serve as an act of resistance in the face of this kind of well-financed oppression.

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There are a lot really important issues at stake in this next election.

Locally, there is....

Santa Cruz's
-Measure G - would raise minimum wage to $9.25/hr.
-Measure I - promote sustainable growth by opposing the negative impacts of proposed university growth
-Measure K - lowest law enforcement priority for marijuana use offenses

City Council...
-time for some changes!

At the state level, there are some very important races taking place.

The Governor has an enormous impact on our environment, education, labor and unions.
Don't be fooled by Arnold's recent overtures. He is not an outstanding environmentalist (Angelides got The Sierra Club and other major environmental groups endorsement) and he is still anti-union, anti-pension. Angelides has pledged to make bringing back the California National Guard from Iraq his number one priority if elected.

A lot of people from Santa Cruz think that Bruce McPherson is just dandy, but as Secretary of State, he has ignored the will of the people regarding unstable electronic voting machines, allowing their use despite a loud public outcry. Debra Bowen has taken him on with this issue and has made securing our elections her top priority.

Statewide measures:

Prop. 87 - would fund alternative energy research and tax petrol products in California. We really need this. About fifteen years ago. Even so, its crucial we support this.

Prop. 89 - the Clean Elections Measure would finance political campaigns so our politicians *might* actually work for the people, rather than be dependent on corporate contributions for their campaigns. This should be a no-brainer, but unfortunately some unions are opposing it. This is way overdue and is being fought with big money.

Wouldn't it be great to vote Dianne Feinstein's ass out of office? It doesn't look like that is going to happen, so why not vote for a good third party candidate, such as Todd Chretien or Marsha Feinland? Please read what they have to say.

Also, the Green Party Candidate for State Insurance Commissioner is Larry Cafiero from Ben Lomond. He's got a lot of good ideas, is a very capable individual and is deserving of support. Check out his info. at http://www.votecafiero.com/statement.

There are more, but you won't be able to do anything about them unless you are able to vote!