Watch this space for upcoming election endorsements when we're closer to the next election (for L.A., currently scheduled for Nov. 7, 2023)
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Info on **past** election endorsements follows for historical reference
PPDC Endorsements
for the Tuesday, November 8, 2022
General/Midterm Election
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE PDF OF ENDORSEMENTS
KEY: *Incumbent **LACDP endorsement
FEDERAL
United States Senator…Alex Padilla*
US Representative (CD 32)...Brad Sherman*
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STATEWIDE
Attorney General…Bob Bonta*
Controller...Malia Cohen
Governor…Gavin Newsom*
Lieutenant Governor…Eleni Kounalakis*
Secretary of State…Dr. Shirley Weber*
Treasurer…Fiona Ma*
Insurance Commissioner…Ricardo Lara* **
Member of State Board of Equalization (3rd District)…Antonio Vazquez
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STATE LEGISLATIVE
State Senator (SD 24)...Ben Allen*
State Assembly Member (AD 42)...Jacqui Irwin*
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CITY
Mayor...Karen Bass
City Attorney…Hydee Feldstein Soto
City Controller…Paul Koretz**
City Council (CD 11)...No consensus
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Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees
(LA County Democratic Party recommendations, not PPDC's)
Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees (Seat 2)
Steve Veres
Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees (Seat 4)
Sara Hernandez
Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees (Seat 6)
Gabriel Buelna
Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees (Seat 7)
Kelsey Iino
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CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE PDF OF ENDORSEMENTS
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NONPARTISAN OFFICES
STATE
Superintendent of Public Instruction…Tony K. Thurmond*
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COUNTY
Assessor…Jeffrey Prang*
Sheriff...Robert Luna
Supervisor...No consensus
*Incumbent **LACDP endorsement
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L.A. County Democratic Party JUDICIAL OFFICES endorsements (not PPDC's)
PPDC has chosen not to endorse judges this election, but we encourage you to consider the L.A. County Democratic Party's recommendations that follow
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CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE PDF OF ENDORSEMENTS
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BALLOT MEASURES, SHORT VERSION
Prop 1: Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment ...................... YES
Prop 26: Legalize Sports Betting on
American Indian Lands initiative .................................... No consensus
Prop 27: Legalize Sports Betting and Revenue for
Homelessness Prevention Fund Initiative ........................................ NO
Prop 28: Arts and Music K-12 Education Funding Initiative ............. YES
Prop 29: Dialysis Clinic Requirements Initiative ............................... NO
Prop 30: Tax Income Above $2M for Zero-Emissions Vehicles
and Wildfire Prevention Initiative ................................................... YES
Prop 31: Flavored Tobacco Products Ban Referendum ..................... YES
Los Angeles County, Measure A:
Removal of Sheriff for Cause Amendment ........................................ YES
Los Angeles County Measure C:
Marijuana Tax for Unincorporated Areas ........................... No consensus
Los Angeles, California, Proposition LH:
Low-Income Rental Housing Measure .............................................. YES
Los Angeles, California, Proposition SP:
Parks and Recreation Parcel Tax Measure ........................................ YES
Los Angeles, California, Proposition ULA:
Tax on $5 Million House Sales Initiative ............................ No consensus
Los Angeles Community College District, California, Proposition LA:
Facilities and Job Training Bond Measure .......................... No consensus
BALLOT MEASURES EXPLAINED (long version)
California Proposition 1, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment
A "yes" vote supports amending the state constitution to prohibit the state from interfering with or denying an individual's reproductive freedom, which is defined to include a right to an abortion and a right to contraceptives.
A "no" vote opposes this amendment providing a right to reproductive freedom in the state constitution.
YES
California Proposition 26, the Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative
A "yes" vote supports this ballot initiative to (i) legalize sports betting at American Indian gaming casinos and licensed racetracks in California; (ii) tax profits derived from sports betting at racetracks at 10%; and (iii) legalize roulette and dice games, such as craps, at tribal casinos.
A "no" vote opposes this ballot initiative, thus continuing to prohibit sports betting in California and roulette and dice games at tribal casinos.
NO CONSENSUS
California Proposition 27, the Legalize Sports Betting and Revenue for Homelessness Prevention Fund Initiative
A "yes" vote supports legalizing online and mobile sports betting for persons 21 years of age or older, establishing regulations for the mobile sports betting industry, imposing a 10% tax on sports betting revenues and licensing fees, and allocating tax revenue to an account for homelessness programs and an account for tribes not operating sports betting.
A "no" vote opposes this ballot initiative, thus continuing to prohibit sports betting in California.
NO
California Proposition 28, the Art and Music K-12 Education Funding
A "yes" vote supports this ballot initiative to:
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require an annual source of funding for K-12 public schools for arts and music education equal to, at minimum, 1% of the total state and local revenues that local education agencies receive under Proposition 98;
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distribute a portion of the additional funding based on a local education agency's share of economically disadvantaged students; and
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require schools with 500 or more students to use 80% of the funding for employing teachers and 20% to training and materials.
A "no" vote opposes requiring an annual source of funding for K-12 public schools for arts and music education equal to, at minimum, 1% of the total state and local revenues that local education agencies receive under Proposition 98.
California Proposition 29, the Dialysis Clinic Requirements Initiative
A "yes" vote supports this ballot initiative to require dialysis clinics to have at least one physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant while patients are being treated; report data on dialysis-related infections; and not discriminate against patients based on the source of payment for care.
A "no" vote opposes this ballot initiative to require dialysis clinics to have at least one physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant while patients are being treated; report data on dialysis-related infections; and not discriminate against patients based on the source of payment for care.
A "yes" vote supports increasing the tax on personal income above $2 million by 1.75% and dedicating the revenue to zero-emission vehicle subsidies; zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, such as electric vehicle charging stations; and wildfire suppression and prevention programs.
A "no" vote opposes increasing the tax on personal income above $2 million by 1.75% and dedicating the revenue to zero-emission vehicle subsidies; zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, such as electric vehicle charging stations; and wildfire suppression and prevention programs
YES
California Proposition 31, the Flavored Tobacco Products Ban Referendum
A "yes" vote is to uphold the contested legislation, Senate Bill 793 (SB 793), which would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products. 
A "no" vote is to repeal the contested legislation, Senate Bill 793 (SB 793), thus keeping the sale of flavored tobacco legal in the state.
YES
Los Angeles County, Measure A, Removal of Sheriff for Cause Amendment
A "yes" vote supports allowing the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, by a four-fifths vote, to remove the sheriff from office for cause, which is defined to include: violation of laws related to the sheriff's duties; repeated neglect of the sheriff's duties; misuse of public funds or properties; willful falsification of documents; or obstruction of an investigation into the department's conduct.
A "no" vote opposes allowing the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, by a four-fifths vote, to remove the sheriff from office for cause.
YES
A "yes" vote supports enacting taxes on marijuana businesses in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, including $10 per square foot for cultivation; a 6% tax on gross retail receipts; a 2% tax on testing facilities' gross receipts; a 3% tax on gross distribution receipts; and a 4% tax on the gross receipts of manufacturing and other marijuana business facilities.
A "no" vote opposes enacting taxes on marijuana businesses in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
NO CONSENSUS
Los Angeles, California, Proposition LH, Low-Income Rental Housing Measure
A "yes" vote supports authorizing the city to develop up to an additional 5,000 low-income rental housing units per city council district for a total of 75,000 additional units.
YES
A simple majority vote is required for the approval of Proposition LH.
A "yes" vote supports authorizing an annual parcel tax of $0.084 per square foot on improved parcels to fund parks and recreational facilities for 30 years.
A "no" vote opposes authorizing an annual parcel tax of $0.084 per square foot on improved parcels to fund parks and recreational facilities for 30 years.
YES
A two-thirds (66.67 percent) supermajority vote is required for the approval of Proposition SP.
Los Angeles, California, Proposition ULA, Tax on $5 Million House Sales Initiative 
A "yes" vote supports a ballot initiative to:
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enact a 4% tax on the sale or transfer of properties in Los Angeles valued at more than $5 million and a 5.5% tax on the sale or transfer of properties valued at more than $10 million;
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establish the House LA fund within the city treasury to collect additional tax revenue; and
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allocate revenue to projects that address housing availability at certain income thresholds and prevent homelessness.
A "no" vote opposes enacting a 4% tax on the sale or transfer of properties in Los Angeles valued at more than $5 million and a 5.5% tax on the sale or transfer of properties valued at more than $10 million.
NO CONSENSUS
A "yes" vote supports authorizing the Los Angeles Community College District to issue $5.3 billion in bonds to fund facility renovations and job training programs and authorizing the district to levy a tax at a rate of $25 per $100,000 of assessed value to repay the bonds.
NO CONSENSUS
A 55% majority vote is required for the approval of Proposition LA.
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE PDF OF ENDORSEMENTS
** END OF NOV. 8, 2022 ENDORSEMENTS — STOP HERE **
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INFO ON PREVIOUS ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS FOLLOWS
For historical reference
June 7, 2022 Primary Election info
Click here for June 7 election results:
https://www.lavote.gov/home/voting-elections/current-elections/election-results/live-results
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Vote Centers open May 28 for early voting
[times & locations TBA; previously 8 AM – 5 PM]
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Election Day, Vote Centers are open 7 AM – 8 PM
Nearest Palisades Vote Center: likely Palisades Rec Center
For our friends elsewhere, use
https://locator.lavote.net/locations/vc closer to the election
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---> Click here for a printable version <---
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Here are your PaliDems ENDORSEMENTS:
KEY: *Incumbent
FEDERAL
United States Senator…Alex Padilla* (Special Election & Regular Primary)
US Representative (CD 32)...Brad Sherman*
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STATEWIDE
Attorney General…Bob Bonta*
Controller...Ron Galperin
Governor…Gavin Newsom*
Lieutenant Governor…Eleni Kounalakis*
Secretary of State…Dr. Shirley Weber*
Treasurer…Fiona Ma*
Insurance Commissioner…Marc Levine
Member of State Board of Equalization (3rd District)…Antonio Vazquez
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STATE LEGISLATIVE
State Senator (SD 24)...Ben Allen*
State Assembly Member (AD 42)...Jacqui Irwin*
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CITY
Mayor...Karen Bass
City Attorney…Hydee Feldstein Soto
City Controller…No endorsement
City Council (CD 11)...No endorsement
LAUSD Board of Education District 4...Nick Melvoin*
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NONPARTISAN OFFICES
STATE
Superintendent of Public Instruction…Tony K. Thurmond*
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COUNTY
Assessor…Jeffrey Prang*
Sheriff...Cecil Rhambo
Supervisor...Henry Stern
Superior Court Judge…TBD
*Incumbent
BALLOT MEASURES
LOS ANGELES CITY (1)
COMPETITIVE BID PREFERENCE FOR LOCAL CONTRACT BIDDERS.
CHARTER AMENDMENT BB
Shall the City Charter be amended to allow the City, on a competitive bid, to award a bid preference to a bidder located in the City of Los Angeles?
YES on BB
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JUDICIAL OFFICES
PPDC has chosen not to endorse judges this election, but we encourage you to consider the L.A. County Democratic Party's recommendations that follow, along with the L.A. County Bar Association's Judicial Elections Evaluation Committee report (found here; scroll to page 9) on which candidates they've found qualified or not qualified
L.A. County Democratic Party JUDICIAL OFFICES endorsements (not PPDC's):
Tim Reuben, Superior Court Judge - Seat 3
Elizabeth Lashley-Haynes, Superior Court Judge - Seat 67
Holly Hancock, Superior Court Judge - Seat 70
Kevin McGurk, Superior Court Judge - Seat 90
Lloyd Handler, Superior Court Judge - Seat 116
Georgia Huerta, Superior Court Judge - Seat 118
Patrick Hare, Superior Court Judge - Seat 151
Carol Elswick, Superior Court Judge - Seat 156
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-- END OF INFO ON JUNE 7, 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION --
Sep. 14, 2021 Recall Election
Please vote **NO**
Should you pick a backup candidate just in case?
Though it's becoming controversial as polls reflect grave danger for Newsom, with suggestions that voting for the Dem frontrunner might be a strategic insurance policy, the CA Dem Party recommends leaving that part blank. Ultimately, it's up to you.... But please do vote NO
Nov. 3, 2020 General Election
For info about election logistics, click here
For a printable, at-a-glance guide to our recommendations, click here
For details, see below
Candidate Endorsements
PRESIDENT
Joe Biden
VICE PRESIDENT
Kamala Harris
33RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Ted Lieu (incumbent)
50th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Richard Bloom (incumbent)
LOS ANGELES DISTRICT ATTORNEY
George Gascón
JUDICIAL
Office 72 — Steve Morgan
Office 80 — David A. Berger
Office 162 — Scott Andrew Yang
L.A. COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Seat 1 — Andra Hoffman
Seat 3 — David Vela
Seat 5 — Nichelle Henderson
Seat 7 — Mike Fong
Note regarding the DA race:
PPDC approved the issuance of a statement of admonition against L.A. County DA Jackie Lacey's office, signed jointly by members of the Stonewall Democratic Club and PPDC.
Read the statement here.
Ballot Proposal Endorsements
Recommendations at a glance follow. Click here for more-detailed explanations
California Proposition 14: Stem Cell Research Institute Bond Initiative
Oppose — NO on Prop 14
Prop 15: Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government
Support — Yes on Prop 15
Prop 16: Repeal Proposition 209 Affirmative Action Amendment
Support — Yes on Prop 16
Proposition 17: Constitutional amendment that would allow people on parole for felony convictions to vote in California
Support — Yes on Prop 17
Proposition 18: Primary Voting for 17-Year-Olds
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
Support — Yes on Prop 18
Proposition 19: Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment
Support — Yes on Prop 19
Proposition 20: Criminal Sentencing, Parole, and DNA Collection Initiative
Oppose — No on Prop 20
Proposition 21: Local Rent Control Initiative
Support — Yes on Prop 21
Proposition 22: App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative
Oppose — No on Prop 22
Proposition 23: Dialysis Clinic Requirements Initiative
No consensus on Prop 23
Proposition 24: Consumer Personal Information Law and Agency Initiative
Oppose — No on Prop 24
Proposition 25: Replace Cash Bail with Risk Assessments Referendum
Oppose — No on Prop 25
Los Angeles County, California, Budget Allocation for Alternatives to Incarceration Charter Amendment Measure J
Support — Yes on Measure J
Measure RR:
Bond measure to upgrade, modernize and replace aging school facilities, update technology,
and address inequities in L.A. schools and will not increase taxes.
Support — Yes on Measure RR
PROPS/MEASURES SHORT SUMMARIES
Click here for even-more-detailed explanations
CA Prop 18: Primary Voting for 17-Year-Olds 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. SUPPORT
CA Prop 19: Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment would permit homeowners who are 55, severely disabled, or whose homes were destroyed by wildfire or disaster, to transfer their primary residence’s property tax base value to a replacement residence of any value, and increases allowable transfers from one to three. SUPPORT
CA Prop 20: Criminal Sentencing, Parole, and DNA Collection Initiative This initiative would 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. OPPOSE
CA Prop 21: Local Rent Control Initiative that would let local governments 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. Proposition 21 is not mandatory and gives local elected officials the tools they need to stop increasing homelessness, evictions and gentrification. SUPPORT
CA Prop 22: App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative has been sponsored by Uber, Lyft and other similar companies and would create special labor and wage policies which would apply only to the drivers for these companies. Prop 22 would make the drivers independent contractors, and would overrule a law passed in September, 2019 (Assembly Bill 5). OPPOSE
CA Prop 23: Dialysis Clinic Requirements Initiative would require a licensed physician on site at dialysis clinics, mandate infection data reporting to state and federal government, and prohibit clinic closures without state approval. NO CONSENSUS
CA Prop 24: Consumer Personal Information Law and Agency Initiative Internet privacy is too important and nuanced to be put in force by a broad ballot measure like Prop 24. CCPA, which Prop 24 changes, has only been law in California for less than a year and should be amended through lawmakers -- not a new state agency created at the ballot box through Prop 24. Instead of protecting your privacy, Prop 24 creates a "privacy slow lane" unlike the current CCPA law. Privacy matters, but this revision of CCPA isn't worth your vote. PPDC joins the ACLU and Electronic Frontier Foundation. OPPOSE
CA Prop 25: Replace Cash Bail with Risk Assessments Referendum SB 10 was designed to make California the first state to end the use of cash bail for all detained suspects awaiting trials. The legislation would replace the state's cash bail system with risk assessments to determine whether a detained suspect should be granted pretrial release and under what conditions. Replacing cash bail with the arbitrary criteria used in risk assessments will likely lead to the increased incarceration of young people and in particular, those of color. In addition, we do not agree with the hiring of 300 probation officers for surveillance of those deemed high risk. OPPOSE
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Charter Amendment Measure J: Los Angeles County, California, Budget Allocation for Alternatives to Incarceration
—Amending the county's charter to require that no less than 10% of the county's general fund be appropriated to community programs and alternatives to incarceration, such as health services and pre-trial non-custody services;
—Authorizing the Board of Supervisors to develop a process to allocate funds; and
—Authorizing the Board of Supervisors to reduce the amount allocated with a vote of 4-1 during a declared fiscal emergency. SUPPORT
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Measure RR: Bond measure to upgrade, modernize and replace aging school facilities, update technology, and address inequities in L.A. schools. (Will not increase taxes) More than 70 percent of our public schools were built over 50 years ago. Too many of these buildings are deteriorating, contain health hazards like asbestos and contaminated drinking water, and generally do not meet standards for 21st Century learning and school safety. Such disparity is unfair and puts students at risk of falling behind in preparing for college and careers simply because of where they live. It’s important to note that Measure RR will not increase taxes — rather it extends without increasing the tax rate currently authorized for voter-approved Los Angeles Unified School District bonds. Moreover, it is subject to strict independent oversight and accountability requirements. Not only will Measure RR benefit our kids and lay the foundation for a stronger future workforce, it will immediately create thousands of quality jobs benefiting the region’s economy.
Click here for more-detailed explanations of the props and measures
For logistical info on the election, click here
For a take-to-the-polls, at-a-glance guide to our recommendations, click here
For details, see below
Looking for historical info on endorsements from previous elections?
Click here!