Voting for the first time can be an exciting, empowering experience. But if you head to the polls without doing your homework, the whole thing can also be downright daunting. That’s especially true in California, where voters are typically asked to weigh in on a litany of issues and candidates on both statewide and local races.
The upcoming election on November 4 is no exception: the ballot is thick and dense, with lots of contest that may seem pretty obscure or just plain irrelevant, particularly for young voters. With that in mind, a team of researchers at Youth Radio looked over statewide propositions as well as local measures in Bay Area cities, and picked out the handful of races that were most directly relevant to young voters. They then produced this nifty, interactive guide, boiling down the issues and presenting the pros and cons. Take it with you to the polls (or even use it to find your polling place) . For a more detailed rundown of statewide propositions, also check out KQED’s comprehensive election guide.
The upcoming midterms marks the first major nationwide election since the Supreme Court struck down a key piece of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act. The 2013 decision had an immediate impact, giving a handful of primarily southern states the green light to change their voting rules without first getting approval from the federal government.
Ah, election season. How I love thee.
Think you know your state’s voting rules? Better check again before heading to the polls next month.
Riots erupted in Ferguson, Mo. in August after a white police officer shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed, black 18-year-old. The incident drew national attention to the issue of police force, particularly in low-income communities of color, where relations between law enforcement and residents are often tense. It also underscored the importance of people knowing what their rights are when stopped by the police, and how to act appropriately during these interactions to best avoid potentially dangerous confrontations. Cartoon journalist Andy Warner explains the rules of engagement (source links below). 