Hello, hello, and welcome! The candidates and propositions below show how I marked my March 2024 ballot.
I expect to post my November 2024 ballot by October 1, 2024, fingers crossed. If you’re on my email list, you’ll get a notification when it’s ready for prime time. If you’re not yet on it, send an email here (note there are 2 Ts in this rabbit): rabbitt101 (at) aol (dot) com. Your subject line: ADD ME
The information is based on my research and that of my many smart friends.
The Resources section at the bottom of this page is full of links to websites that offer more information to help you decide the best candidate for each office, and how the heck to vote on the propositions.
I’m updating those resources right now. Some links are broken, but all links will be energized on October 1st. (And I know that some of you will let me know if any links are wonky. Thanks in advance.)
As the past reminds us, we can’t take this election for granted. So, as KidLitForKamala suggests:
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Get involved with the campaign/your local government to the extent that you can
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Help turn out the vote, particularly with young people. When we vote, we win, and this is especially true with our young people.
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Know a college student headed back to class soon? Check in with them. Make sure they’re registered. Make sure they have a voting plan (and an absentee ballot if they need one).
So, let’s lace up our marching shoes, choose how we’re going to make a difference, and breathe in the joy!
~ April
This election is daunting… so many issues, so many candidates…so many freaking judges!
Please vote. If you don’t know, make an educated guess. California needs you, America needs you.
Don’t hand your vote to the other side by not voting.
Like a frog in slowly boiling water, our rights are being stripped away.
Do you really want someone else to vote on your behalf? Your voice matters.
If you’re not from Manhattan Beach, check out the terrific voting resources below for recommendations in your community.
Note: I generally don’t comment on candidates or issues unless they are on my own ballot.
If you live in Los Angeles county, make a plan to vote here.
- Not registered? We’re lucky: California offers Same Day Voter Registration at the Polls
- If you’re mailing it, your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day.
- Need a replacement ballot? I never got mine for the June primary. If this happens to you, go here or call 800-815-2666. To my surprise, my ballot arrived by mail VERY quickly.
Get my political emails (I send specific, easy actions and a dollop of HOPE–and do my best not to clutter your inbox).
Send me an email: rabbitt101 (at) aol (dot) com. Your subject line: ADD ME
Questions about California elections?
Everything You’ve Wanted to Know About Elections But Were Afraid to Ask
National Candidates
State Candidates
Judges
Judges are the reason I began publishing my ballot more than 20 year ago.
In deciding who to vote for, I solicit the opinions of very smart friends (which, depending on the election, may include lawyers, current and former elected officials, and a former judge).
I also consider the Los Angeles County Democratic Party , Stonewall Democratic Club, as well as the LA County Bar Association ratings, and sometimes more.
Note: Sometimes I’m puzzled/alarmed to see that some judges one or more of my sources support are also recommended on this ultra right site.
Which simply reminds me that politics is an art, not a science.
Look ~ we’re all trying to find the green button, the best candidate, the golden ticket.
But we can’t possibly know how someone will act until they’re in office. So: research. Ask friends. Consider your choices. Then vote.
Los Angeles County Elections
City of Manhattan Beach Elections
State of California Propositions
Fabulous Voter Resources
- VOTE411 ~ This site is easy to use. Compare candidates. Dive deep: who contributed to this campaign and how much? What organizations are behind this candidate or proposition?
- Register to vote in your state here ~ a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about the candidates and measures on your ballot.
- Californians: REGISTER WHERE YOU VOTE–-AND VOTE that day. Yay!
- Check out this GREAT one-stop chart comparing endorsements from progressive organizations and others, including the LA Times: Indivisible South Bay L.A.’s Endorsement Tracker.
- LAist’s VOTER GAME PLAN 2024 This the LA NPR station that I listen to. Their reporters have compiled a terrific website just for YOU. Worth exploring.
- League of Women Voters Beach Cities
- Opposition: see how the far right votes . Very useful to see who not to vote for.
- CalMatters Voter Guide CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization…We are the only journalism outlet dedicated to covering America’s biggest state, 39 million Californians and the world’s fifth largest economy.
- The California Democratic Party’s endorsements and VOTER HOTLINE
- CAvotes.org ~ the League of Women Voter’s Education Fund’s site. Click on “VOTE,” and become a wizard in all things election-related. While you’re there, consider making a donation (contributions to the League’s Education Fund are tax deductible.)
- Beach Cities Democrats ~ my local Dem club ~ scroll down for the chart of their endorsements.
- Los Angeles Times endorsements This link may or may not work for you.
- Raucus Caucus Voting Guide
- Stonewall Democratic Club According to Wikipedia: The Stonewall Democratic Club was established in 1975 in Los Angeles, the first ‘Stonewall Democratic Club’ in the country established for LGBT individuals and straight allies committed to achieving equality for all and to advancing progressive and feminist values through the Democratic Party. (The National Stonewall Democratic Federation was a national organization of LGBT Democratic clubs and individuals founded in 1998, in Kansas City, Missouri. On January 1, 2013, National Stonewall suspended operations due to a financial deficit.
- Vote Save America Just go here–it’s an extraordinarily well-done voting site. It’s produced by the folks at Pod Save America.
- Swing Left ~ Swing Left helps you find and commit to supporting progressives in your closest Swing District to ensure we take back the Senate and more.
- Indivisible ~ “Defeat Maga. Save Democracy.” ~ They’re a grassroots movement of thousands of local Indivisible groups with a mission to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda. This is a GREAT one-stop chart comparing 10 progressive organizations’ endorsements: Indivisible South Bay L.A.’s Endorsement Tracker.
- Field Team 6 Their tagline is “Register Democrats. Save the World.” Field Team 6 meets people where they are – via phone, text, postcard, social media, and voter drives. Armed with Voterizer.org, they track down “every good-hearted eligible voter we can, and get them on the voter rolls where they belong. And sign them up to vote from home! “
- Blue Voters Guide ~ “Let endorsements guide you” ~ on this site you have the option of choosing candidates one at a time OR choosing an organization you have an affinity for and building your ballot based on that organization’srecommendations. Pretty cool.
- Open Secrets ~ Following the Money in Politics. “Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, OpenSecrets is the nation’s premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. Our mission is to track the flow of money in American politics and provide the data and analysis to strengthen democracy. Our vision is for Americans to use this knowledge to create a more vibrant, representative and accountable democracy.”
- MB United ~ “Advocacy Rooted in Community” ~ MB United represents a broad coalition committed to a Manhattan Beach that is welcoming, inclusive, safe and supportive for residents, business, employees and visitors. We advocate for city leadership and policy decisions that promote these goals through grassroots community action and reliable public information. If you live in Manhattan Beach, please consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter which includes summaries of school board and city council meetings as well as local events and businesses worth supporting.
The Torrance Refinery Action Alliance is a well-organized grassroots organization that has taught me a lot ~ click on this link for videos and maps of the horrendous consequences if MHF (the deadly acid modified hydrofluoric acid) is released by the Torrance Refinery or the Wilmington Refinery.
Peace Action ~ Of all the groups I give money to, I save my biggest donation for Peace Action, which is a lean, efficient and politically pragmatic organization. Once a year, a Peace Action staffer comes over for lunch and teaches me a TON about the peace movement and specifically what Peace Action is doing to move our politicians, our policies, our country towards peace. Contact me if you’d like to join us for lunch: rabbitt101 (at) aol (dot) com with the header: PEACE ACTION
Movement Voter Project I recently helped promote a fundraiser for MVP, which raises millions of dollars and supports volunteers in more than 600 grassroots groups of color, youth, and LGBTQ individuals in key states. Local groups are best at registering, motivating, and turning out voters. These are the groups that help elect people who will protect our electoral system and democracy. Movement Voter Project’s long-range plan is what excites me the most. Go to https://movement.vote/, click on “Learn More,” then click on “Progressive Decade Plan.” (mic drop)
The LA County Bar Association rates judges. LACBA considers the following when interviewing and evaluating judicial candidates:
(1) Integrity and character
(2) Judgment and intellectual capacity
(3) Fairness
(4) Experience
(5) Industry and diligence
(6) Judicial temperament, including whether the candidate would be courteous and considerate of counsel, parties, witnesses and jurors, and
whether the candidate is even-tempered
(7) Professional ability and knowledge of the law
(8) Health problems that might affect the candidate’s ability to serve as a judge
(9) General reputation in the community
(10) Civic and community activities
(11) Candor in preparing the Personal Data Questionnaire and list of references, and responding to inquiries by Committee members
(12) Other relevant matters of concern including any issues relating to potential bias
Useful links from the LA County Registrar:
Find a drop-off location to return your Vote By Mail (VBM) ballot before Election Day.
Text Messages~receive quick and easy text message notifications about important election information.
LAvote.net ~ Everything you wanted to know about voting in LA County but were afraid to ask.
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650 (800) 815-2666, Opt. 3
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So…why the heck do I tell you and your friends how I voted?
I started this site because I used to call my brilliant uncle Raphael Konigsberg and ask him how to vote–especially for judges. I mean, who knew how to pick judges? When he died, I said, “So now who’ll tell me how to vote?”
Then I realized, “Uh-oh…”
So…I’ve been researching, comparing, and sharing my ballot with friends, and friends of friends for more than 20 years. Many thanks to the individuals and groups who continue to share their views with me.
If you’d like to be on my political email list, email me at:
rabbitt101 (at) aol (dot) com with the header: ADD ME