Got my primary ballot today

[Retrograde]

Santa Clara county. I've made up my mind on Senator, not much choice for Congressperson, decided on the county propositions, have to figure out just what the state one says, don't much like any of the presidential candidates. The big race in these parts - judging solely by signs - is State Assembly.

[KamaAina]

1. Which district?

And are you listed as a Dem? I am.

And how are people supposed to find Harris or Sanchez among thirty or so minor candidates?! Our lengthy ballots are often cited as a driving force behind our abysmal turnout.

And Willie Wilson's running for President? The guy who struck out to both begin and end the 1980 World Series?

[Retrograde]

2. 18th Congressional, 24th Assembly

My ballot says "Nonpartisan Democratic"; Mr. Retrograde's says Democratic. The only difference is that his contains candidates for local county party positions.

There sure are a lot of Senate candidates! But that's what the voters wanted when they passed that proposition a few years back: thought it was a bad idea then, still think it's a bad idea now. But they send out the sample ballots, so people can have time to find the person they want to vote for. My method for whittling it down includes going through the state and county voters' guides, eliminating the people who couldn't be bothered to sent in a statement, then reading the candidates' statements and eliminating those who come across as loons (hey, no Orly Taitz this year!), which generally reduces the list to 3 or 4. I'd be happy with either Sanchez or Harris: I prefer the latter since she's local.

So that's who Willie Wilson is? I tried looking up some of the other presidential candidates, and the only reference I could find to one claimed he died a few years back. Must have been someone else with the same name - I hope.

[KamaAina]

3. Rich Gordon has serious competition?

That sucks. I'm close enough with one of his staffers that she brought a bag of oranges from her tree to my office a couple of weeks ago after an FB exchange.

I prefer the latter since she's local.

I prefer the latter since she's not a DINO.

[PasadenaTrudy]

4. How did you vote for

state measure 50?

[Retrograde]

5. Shhh - it's a secret ballot!

Still deciding, but after reading the voter guide and seeing that it's already been passed by both houses I'm leaning towards yes, as all it seems to do is ratify something already in practice.

[JonLeibowitz]

6. I don't think that's true, strictly speaking. Current regulations don't allow for stripping pay

There are two things that make me want to vote "No":

(1) The argument against, in my voter guide, makes clear that provisions already exist for removing elected officials from office. However, even in the case of clear corruption the leadership chooses not to. This allows some semblance of

(2) The rebuttal to the argument against doesn't actually 'rebut' anything -- it simply reiterates the points from the argument for the initiative. The fact that they couldn't find an actual point to rebut means their case is very weak, in my view.

So I think I'm voting "No"

As for Senate, my choice is Sanchez: (1) after reading this article (I strongly support the PLCAA, as does Sanchez): http://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Senate-candidate-Sanchez-defends-vote-on-suits-7513739.php (2) She voted against the Iraq War