2020 Election Voter Guide Your primer on the races and issues that will affect the HIV, LGBTQ, and other underserved communities

Exercise Your Right to Vote!

The upcoming 2020 election is shaping up to be the most important in memory. LGBTQ rights are under attack, over 200,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, the Trump Administration continues to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and Black and brown communities continue to face racism and state-sanctioned violence. Your vote is your power and together we can fight to make the economic, social, and political changes necessary to ensure health justice for all.

APLA Health is proud to provide you with this voting guide on the issues and races that will have the most impact on the HIV, LGBTQ, and other underserved communities. Voting is one the most important rights we have in a democracy, and it is important to make your voice heard to influence the policy decisions that will affect your daily life.

Whatever you do, and however you have to do it, get out and vote! This year all registered voters will receive a Vote by Mail ballot to ensure you have a safe voting option during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vote as early as possible. If you’re concerned about the mail-in ballot, you can drop yours off in-person at any local polling station. If work is a barrier to your ability to vote, remember that California law requires your employer to allow you to take up to two hours off to vote, without losing any pay. View this voting rights notice for more information.

In this guide you will find information on candidate positions regarding HIV, health care, and LGBTQ rights issues, as well as summaries of selected statewide and local initiatives that may affect the HIV, LGBTQ, and other underserved communities.

Voter Registration and Election Day information:  Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020.  If you are already registered to vote, make sure to verify your registration status.  If you have not registered to vote or have recently moved to a new address, make sure to register to vote! The deadline is Monday, October 19.  You can also register in person through Election Day at any polling place or election office.

 Vote by Mail (as early as you can!): Vote by Mail ballots will be mailed to all California registered voters beginning October 5.  Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 3, 2020. Ballots returned at a secure ballot drop box or a voting location must be deposited by 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020.  Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Some counties offer early voting at a few locations before Election Day.  Check your polling location now so you know where to go on Election Day

For more information on restrictions and requirements for voter registration, visit the California Secretary of State website.

End the Epidemics Coalition Voter Action Center

The statewide End the Epidemics coalition — dedicated to ending HIV, hepatitis C, and STDs in California — has developed an online voter action center where you can get registered to vote, check your registration status and polling location, and find out other important information about the 2020 election. The voter action center also features a voter guide to help you make informed decisions at the ballot box, including recommended positions on several ballot initiatives.

Alternative Voter Guides

Visit one of the following non-partisan voting guides for more on all the races and state initiatives:

 League of Women’s Voters “Smart Voter” Guide  California Voter Foundation  Project Vote Smart

President of the United States

Presidential leadership plays an enormous role in shaping U.S. domestic and foreign policy, legislation, and funding. This November, former Vice President Joe Biden and California Senator Kamala Harris, both Democrats, are running against Republicans President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Other presidential contenders include Libertarian candidate Jo Jorgensen; the American Independent Party candidate Roque De La Fuente; the Peace and Freedom candidate Gloria La Riva, an activist for the Party for Socialism and Liberation; and the Green Party candidate, Howie Hawkins, an environmental activist, former Teamster, and the first U.S. candidate for President to campaign for the Green New Deal.

Donald Trump Joe Biden

Republican Party Candidate Democratic Party Candidate

The Trump Administration has initiated a federal Vice President Joe Biden served during the eight Ending the HIV Epidemic plan that is bringing more years of the Obama Administration and is credited federal resources to some 57 state and local health with playing a major role in moving the Affordable jurisdictions most heavily impacted by HIV. That Care Act (ACA) through Congress. Biden remains includes eight counties in California, including Los committed to access to affordable quality health care Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, San for all Americans, and has made clear his position Francisco, Sacramento, Orange, and Alameda. during the campaign that he would work to improve upon and expand the ACA, including support for a At the same time, the President’s proposed Fiscal public option like Medicare and increasing premium Year 2021 budget included steep cuts to Medicaid, tax credits for middle class Americans. Medicare, the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS program (HOPWA), and the President’s In 2010, the Obama-Biden Administration launched Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Rolling the nation’s first comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategy. back these vital safety net programs would have a Biden has committed to updating the strategy and disproportionate impact on communities prioritized in ending the HIV epidemic by 2025. He also supports the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, including Black efforts to modernize HIV criminal laws that remain in and brown communities, and would only deepen over two dozen states. existing HIV disparities. The administration’s continued anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies are also Biden’s campaign website includes a section on anathema to the goals of public health. advancing LGBTQ equality in the U.S. and around the world. Biden supports the Equality Act, which would President Trump continues to undermine and push for extend anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which Americans, and he has said he will make enactment increased access to health coverage for millions of of the legislation a top priority during his first 100 days Americans, including people living with HIV. Another as President. Biden has also committed to reversing challenge to the ACA is now approaching the the transgender military ban, guaranteeing the ACA’s Supreme Court. The President has no plan to replace nondiscrimination protections for the LGBTQ the ACA, despite many promises to the contrary. community, and reinstating protections for LGBTQ people experiencing homelessness. On LGBTQ rights, the Trump administration has repeatedly signed off on actions that have attempted Biden has also promised to reverse the Trump to limit access to health care for LGBTQ individuals, administration’s public charge rule, which many have bar transgender individuals from military service, and argued discourages immigrants from accessing public allow federally funded homeless shelters to turn away services such as Medicaid, food stamps, and Section transgender people. 8 housing. He is endorsed by the LA Times, among others. Proposals and Resources:  Republican Party Platform 2020 Proposals and Resources:  Trump Website Promises Kept/Health Care  Democratic Party Platform  Trump Pride  Biden/Harris Website on LGBTQ+ Equality  Biden/Harris on Healthcare United States Congress

The U.S. Congress plays a pivotal role in securing funding and passing legislation to end the HIV epidemic, ensuring the rights of LGBTQ people, and increasing access to affordable, quality health care. Congress members in the U. S. House of Representatives are up for re-election every two years. Southern California and County field a stellar range of incumbents and candidates to choose from. Your U. S. Representative will be on your ballot, based on your address. If you don’t know who represents you or you would like to find out who is running against your representative, go to one of the voter websites listed below or consult the websites of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party or Republican Party. There are no third-party candidates in the Congressional races this year, and neither of California’s two Senators are up for re-election this time around.

Pivotal Race in the Antelope Valley Area

In Los Angeles County, the 25th Congressional District (Antelope Valley) is once again up for grabs. Rep. Katie Hill, a Democrat, won the seat in 2018, as part of California’s “blue wave”, wiping out all but a few Republican officeholders from the state’s Congressional delegation. Hill vacated her seat in 2019, and Rep. Mike Garcia, a Republican, won the seat in a special election over Democrat State Assemblymember Christy Smith in May of this year. The two are running again and the race is considered a toss-up. The outcome will impact the Democrats’ control in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith is endorsed by the LA Times.

Congressional Campaign Voter Guides

For more details on all the congressional races in the upcoming election, visit one of the following non- partisan voting guides:

 Ballotpedia, California Congressional Races  California Voter Foundation  VoteSmart Congressional Elections  California Secretary of State: Voter Information

California Legislature

The California State Legislature, consisting of the Senate and Assembly, holds the principal lawmaking powers of the state. On average, the Legislature will propose, analyze, and debate over 6,000 bills in a single two-year session. The Legislature also makes critical decisions about what will be included in the state’s annual budget.

Every California resident is represented by one Assemblymember and one Senator. The Assembly has 80 members who serve two-year terms, so all seats are up for election in 2020. The Senate has 40 members who serve four-year terms, which means only half of the Senate is up for election this year.

In 2018, Democrats won two-thirds “supermajorities” in both houses of the state Legislature. Supermajorities are important because they give California's majority party the ability to achieve some policy goals without help from the opposing party, including raising taxes and crafting statewide bond measures. Republicans hope to reverse that trend this year, while Democrats are set on further cementing their dominance in Sacramento.

The journalists at CalMatters have been tracking the most hotly contested races in the state Legislature, including the race between California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Chair Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Democratic Socialist Jackie Fielder. Senator Wiener is among the staunchest allies of the HIV and LGBTQ communities in Sacramento, having authored landmark legislation to reform the state’s outdated HIV criminal laws, allow pharmacists to dispense PrEP without a doctor’s prescription, and ban the use of condoms as evidence of sex work. Jackie Fielder is a Native American, Latina, and queer educator and organizer.

You can learn more about the top races to watch in the Senate and Assembly by visiting: https://calmatters.org/election-2020-guide/.

You can find out who the Senate and Assembly candidates are in your area by visiting www.votersedge.org. Be sure to look for their positions on key issues impacting the LGBTQ and HIV communities, including health care, housing, criminal justice and police reform, and immigration.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Los Angeles County acts as the administrative arm for the vast majority of the millions of dollars in federal Ryan White Program funds that come to our local jurisdiction, and will oversee new funding for the federal plan to End the HIV Epidemic. This gives enormous power to the County Supervisors to guide the way funding is allocated to HIV service categories and contracted with providers. Current District 4 Supervisor and District 5 Supervisor Kathryn Barger, both received a majority of the votes in the March 3 Primary Election, but District 2 Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas is terming out and running for . Los Angeles City Councilmember and California State Senator Holly Mitchell are in a run-off for the District 2 seat, which covers most of , stretching from Culver City to USC, and down to Carson. APLA Health thanks Supervisor Ridley-Thomas for his many years of service supporting programs that assist people living with HIV and other underserved communities.

Herb Wesson Holly Mitchell Herb Wesson is currently the councilmember for Los Holly Mitchell is currently the California State Angeles City Council District 10, representing 52 Senator for District 30, representing Culver City, neighborhoods extending from Mid-City south towards Ladera Heights, Westmont, and the neighborhoods Leimert Park, and from the eastern edge of Culver of Crenshaw, Downtown, and Florence, and a City to Downtown LA. Wesson is currently President member of the California Legislative Black Caucus. of City Council, and prior to that position was a Prior to serving in the State Senate, Mitchell served member of the California State Assembly. in the State Assembly and before that was CEO of the non-profit Crystal Stairs. Wesson’s key priorities include boosting employment and economic security, tackling the homelessness Mitchell’s legislative accomplishments include a and affordable housing crises, addressing traffic and package of criminal justice reform bills, addressing transportation issues as well as environmental issues, transitional housing placement for foster youth, and supporting youth and social justice initiatives. As expanding mental health services for vulnerable Council President he launched the EmbRACE LA communities, and fighting for better education, initiative to lead a conversation on race, ethnicity, and access to health care, and childcare services, diversity, and while in the Assembly he helped create particularly for communities of color. She plans to the Asian & Pacific Islander (API) and LGBT continue fighting for these key issues as Legislative Caucuses. Supervisor.

He is endorsed by Mayor Eric Garcetti, She is endorsed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Supervisor Janice Former Governor Jerry Brown, Congresswoman Hahn, and many other state and local elected officials Nanette Barragan, the LA Times and many other and organizations. state and local elected officials and organizations.

Los Angeles City Council

The Los Angeles City Council represents approximately 4 million Angelenos — almost 40% of the population of Los Angeles County. The body enacts ordinances subject to the approval or veto of the Mayor and orders elections, levies taxes, authorizes public improvements, approves contracts, and adopts traffic regulations. It also adopts or modifies the budget proposed by the Mayor. Seven of the 15 seats were up for a vote this year. Five seats were confirmed during the March 3 primary, including for incumbents (District 2), (District 6), Marqueece Harris-Dawson (District 8), John Lee (District 12), and Kevin De Leon (District 14), who is new to the City Council but a longtime legislator, serving in both the State Senate and Assembly. Districts 4 and 10 will have a run-off election on November 3.

Los Angeles City Council District 4

David Ryu Nithya Raman is currently the Councilmember for Los Nithya Raman is an urban planner and formerly Angeles City Council District 4, representing Silver worked for the City Administrative Officer where she Lake, Los Feliz, Miracle Mile, Hancock Park, wrote a report highlighting that of $100 million spent Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Sherman Oaks, and by the City to address homelessness, over 90% of Toluca Lake. He is also a longtime supporter of APLA funds went towards jailing individuals. She was most Health. Prior to serving on the council, Ryu worked in recently the executive director of Time’s Up the office of former County Supervisor Yvonne Entertainment and co-chair of the Silver Lake Brathwaite Burke, focusing on issues including foster Neighborhood Council where she established SELAH youth, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and mental health. Neighborhood Homeless Coalition, a volunteer run homeless services non-profit. Ryu’s key initiatives include reprioritizing the budget, improving public safety, tackling the homelessness Raman’s key initiatives include improving public crisis, building a sustainable City and expanding the safety, increasing affordable housing stock and number of Councilmembers. He especially advocates establishing rent forgiveness, creating public for single mothers, seniors, immigrant communities, broadband service, and improving healthcare for and people experiencing homelessness. He is aging Angelenos. She stresses that she has not endorsed by the LA Times, Planned Parenthood, accepted campaign funds from corporate, fossil fuel, Sierra Club, and many other organizations and or developer groups, and is endorsed by a number of unions. groups fighting for transformative change.

Los Angeles City Council District 10

Grace Yoo Mark Ridley-Thomas

Grace Yoo is running to represent Council District 10, Mark Ridley-Thomas is currently the County which covers 52 neighborhoods including Leimert Supervisor for District 2 with a long career in public Park, Arlington Heights, Koreatown, Mid-City, Little service. Prior to his supervisorial role, Ridley-Thomas Bangladesh and Little Ethiopia, and Wilshire Center. served as Los Angeles City Councilmember for Yoo is an Estate Planning Attorney and lifelong Los District 8, State Assemblymember for District 48, and Angeles resident with a long record of service State Senator for District 26, also serving on the volunteering with local community organizations. Her California Legislative Black Caucus. platform emphasizes the need for increased community engagement and building upon and Ridley-Thomas is a longtime supporter of APLA improving current City Council policies and Health, most recently helping to establish our newest infrastructure, as well as addressing corruption in City federally qualified health center (FQHC) on the Hall. campus of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science across from Martin Luther King Jr. Yoo promises to combat climate change by Community Hospital. He has tackled many important implementing sustainable environmental policies at issues during his legislative tenure including the local level, create a safe and inclusive educational improving health care services in South Los Angeles, environment for children, build healthy communities addressing the housing and homelessness crises, by addressing environmental health issues, and tackle including serving as co-chair of Governor Newsom’s the affordable housing and homelessness crisis in Los homelessness task force and spearheading Measure Angeles. Yoo’s platform also describes a commitment H implementation, pushing for reform of the criminal to improving public safety by reevaluating the City’s justice system, and building economic opportunities, policing system, addressing traffic and transportation especially for communities of color. As County problems, and investing in jobs and the economy in a Supervisor, he has also overseen the construction of COVID-19 environment. the new Martin Luther King Jr hospital complex.

Yoo is endorsed by Congressman Mark Takano, Ridley-Thomas is endorsed by Governor Gavin Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, former Los Newsom, Senator Diane Feinstein, Senator and Vice Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry, several Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris, Mayor Eric former City officials, and many community advocates Garcetti, Supervisor , and the LA Times, and local faith leaders. among others.

Ballot Initiatives

While there are a number of important ballot initiatives up for vote, there are eight that could have a significant impact on the HIV, LGBTQ, and other underserved communities. If there isn’t a recommendation indicated for a particular measure, APLA Health has decided not to take position.

 PROPOSITION 15: Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government Funding Initiative

APLA Health RECOMMENDS: YES

A YES vote supports this constitutional amendment to require commercial and industrial properties, except those zoned as commercial agriculture, to be taxed based on their market value rather than purchase price.

A NO vote opposes this constitutional amendment, thus continuing to tax commercial and industrial properties based on a property's purchase price, with annual increases equal to the rate of inflation or 2 percent, whichever is lower.

APLA Health believes this measure would bring much needed revenue to local governments so they can maintain and expand critical services, including public health efforts to address HIV and other STDs; therefore, we recommend a YES vote.

Links:  Yes on Prop 15  No on Prop 15  CA Legislative Analyst Summary

 PROPOSITION 16: Repeal Proposition 209 Affirmative Action Amendment

APLA Health RECOMMENDS: YES

A YES vote supports this constitutional amendment to repeal Proposition 209 (1996), which stated that the government and public institutions cannot discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to persons on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, and public contracting.

A NO vote opposes this constitutional amendment, thereby keeping Proposition 209 (1996), which stated that the government and public institutions cannot discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to persons on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, and public contracting.

APLA Health believes this measure is an important part of efforts to address structural racism and eliminate discrimination in state contracts, hiring, and education; therefore, we recommend a YES vote.

Links:  Yes on Prop 16  No on Prop 16  CA Legislative Analyst Summary

 PROPOSITION 17: Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment

APLA Health RECOMMENDS: YES

A YES vote supports this constitutional amendment to allow people on parole for felony convictions to vote.

A NO vote opposes this constitutional amendment, thereby continuing to prohibit people who are on parole for felony convictions from voting.

APLA Health believes this measure will expand voting rights and empower underserved communities to actively engage in the civic process; therefore, we recommend a YES vote.

Links:  Yes on Prop 17  No on Prop 17  CA Legislative Analyst Summary

 PROPOSITION 18: Primary Voting for 17-Year-Olds Amendment

APLA Health RECOMMENDS: YES

A YES vote supports this constitutional amendment to allow 17-year-olds who will be 18 at the time of the next general election to vote in primary elections and special elections.

A NO vote opposes this constitutional amendment, thereby maintaining the voting age at 18.

APLA Health believes this measure will expand voting rights and empower young people to actively engage in the civic process; therefore, we recommend a YES vote.

Links:  Yes on Prop 18  No on Prop 18  CA Legislative Analyst Summary

 PROPOSITION 20: Criminal Sentencing, Parole, and DNA Collection Initiative

APLA Health: NO

A YES vote supports this initiative to add crimes to the list of violent felonies for which early parole is restricted; recategorize certain types of theft and fraud crimes as wobblers (chargeable as misdemeanors or felonies); and require DNA collection for certain misdemeanors.

A NO vote opposes this initiative to add crimes to the list of violent felonies for which early parole is restricted; recategorize certain types of theft and fraud crimes as wobblers (chargeable as misdemeanors or felonies); and require DNA collection for certain misdemeanors. APLA Health believes this measure will move the state backward to a tough-on-crime era that disproportionately impacts Black and brown communities and contributes to higher rates of HIV and other STDs; therefore, we recommend a NO vote.

Links:  Yes on Prop 20  No on Prop 20  CA Legislative Analyst Summary

 PROPOSITION 21: Local Rent Control Initiative

APLA Health RECOMMENDS: YES

A YES vote supports this ballot initiative to allow local governments to enact rent control on housing that was first occupied over 15 years ago, with an exception for landlords who own no more than two homes with distinct titles or subdivided interests

A NO vote opposes this ballot initiative, thereby continuing to prohibit rent control on housing that was first occupied after February 1, 1995, and housing units with distinct titles, such as single-family homes.

APLA Health believes this measure will help to address the state’s housing affordability crisis, which disproportionately impacts Black and brown communities and contributes to higher rates of HIV and other STDs; therefore, we recommend a YES vote.

Links:  Yes on Prop 21  No on Prop 21  CA Legislative Analyst Summary

 PROPOSITION 25: Replace Cash Bail with Risk Assessments Referendum

APLA Health RECOMMENDS: YES

A YES vote on this measure means that no one would pay bail to be released from jail before trial. Instead, people would either be released automatically or based on their assessed risk of committing another crime or not appearing in court if released. No one would be charged fees as a condition of release.

A NO vote on this measure means that some people would continue to pay bail to be released from jail before trial. Other people could continue to be released without paying bail. Fees may continue to be charged as a condition of release.

APLA Health believes this measure will create a more fair justice system, based on assessment of risk rather than ability to pay money bail; therefore, we recommend a YES vote.

Links:  Yes on Prop 25  No on Prop 25  CA Legislative Analyst Summary  LOS ANGELES COUNTY MEASURE J: Re-Imagine LA County! Community Investment and Alternatives to Incarceration Minimum County Budget

APLA Health RECOMMENDS: YES

A YES vote supports an allocation in Los Angeles County’s budget no less than ten percent (10%) of the County’s locally generated unrestricted revenues in the general fund to address the disproportionate impact of racial injustice through community investment and alternatives to incarceration. The funds cannot be used for carceral systems and law enforcement agencies as detailed in the ordinance adopting the proposed charter amendment.

A NO vote opposes this proposed allocation in the Los Angeles County budget.

APLA Health believes this measure will support the County’s efforts to invest in alternatives to incarceration, including health and mental health services, housing, and employment; therefore, we recommend a YES vote.

Links:  Yes on Measure J  No on Measure J  Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Motion  Ballotpedia Summary