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 California 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 Los Angeles 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.