CAD1, The 2018 Primaries - Episode 12 California District One Media

As the first year of the Trump Administration and the 114th Congress wraps up its first chaotic year, let’s look forward to what positive change we CAN bring about in the year ahead.
This is the year of the 2018 midterm elections. Front and center on the agenda is the seat of incumbent Congressman, Doug LaMalfa. In 2017, LaMalfa served as a guaranteed rubber stamp for Representative Paul Ryan and the GOP lead congress. LaMalfa predictably voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act; voted to shrink Bears Ears and other national monuments; voted to allow mining pollution to be released into waterways; voted to cut funding to medicare, meals on wheels, and planned parenthood; and voted to give corporations a massive tax cut they didn’t need, adding one point five trillion dollars to the federal deficit.
Thankfully we have the November elections and four qualified candidates running for LaMalfa’s seat. Frontrunners Jessica Holcombe of Auburn, and Quincy’s, Marty Walters, both have strong backgrounds in law and business development. New candidate, Audrey Denney, has made a career in teaching agriculture and is president of the board of an international human rights organization. All are supporters of job creation through education and vocational training, healthcare for all, climate science, and government transparency. All pledge to cross the aisles and work with opposing viewpoints. The candidates are making the rounds now, listening to voters and talking about their plans to bring jobs and opportunity to our district.
The first 2018 election that needs your vote is the Primary election on June 5. California’s primary system is different than most states. Our Primary system changed in 2010, and now is a nonpartisan blanket primary where the top two vote winners, regardless of political party, advance to the general election on November 6. Only two other states, Washington and Nebraska, use this open primary system. So if you want to send a message to Washington on how you feel about the job they’re doing, June 5th is your first chance, even if you are registered as ‘no-party-preference’. Then mark your calendars to vote again on November 6, when the general election will determine who will go on to the House of Representatives.
You can register to vote online anytime at registertovote.ca.gov. To vote in the Primaries, be sure to register by May 21st. Even if you miss the deadline, you can still register conditionally and VOTE at your county elections office up until June 5. Get online at registertovote.ca.gov today. There you can make sure your registration is still up to date, change your party preference, or request a mail-in ballot. Then mark your calendar. Vote in person on June 5 from 7am to 8pm, or mail-in your ballot from the comfort of your couch anytime until June 5.
Did you know 16 and 17 year olds can pre-register to vote, right now? By pre-registering, they are automatically registered to vote on the day they turn 18. Let’s all make a point of getting our kids involved in our democracy early. After all, the decisions made today affect their lives in the future.
Remember your vote is your voice. Be heard.