All posts by Editor

2020 election, Benicia elections, California Democratic Party, California state propositions

Progressive Democrats endorse YES on Benicia Measure D, Cannabis – also weigh in on State Props

The votes are in!!!

PDB members cast their votes last week on Benicia’s non-binding referendum, Measure D, as well as several of the State Propositions, all of which will appear on our November 3 ballot.

Following an informative meeting on September 8, members voted on our digital poll here on the PDB website.  The overall position of our members is very evident, with Benicia Measure D and several of the state propositions receiving nearly 100% of the votes. Here’s how the voting went:

PDB Member – Measure D and State Propositions
LOCAL BENICIA MEASURE D – Cannabis State Proposition 15 – Taxes State Proposition 16 – Affirmative Action State Proposition 17 – Suffrage State Proposition 18 – Suffrage
% YES 92.0% 100.0% 92.0% 100.0% 92.0%
% NO 8.0% 0.0% 8.0% 0.0% 8.0%
State Proposition 20 – Law Enforcement State Proposition 24 – Business State Proposition 25 – Trials
% YES 20.8% 50.0% 100.0%
% NO 79.2% 50.0% 0.0%

Note that our PDB vote on state propositions is only advisory.  Local Democratic clubs must follow the positions taken by our California Democratic Party on state propositions.  NONETHELESS and interestingly, Progressive Democrats of Benicia voted entirely in sync with our California Dem Party: YES on 15, 16, 17, 18, and 25, NO on 20, and NEUTRAL on 24.  (PDB took no position on propositions 14, 19, 21, 22, and 23, and we refer you to the Party’s positions.)

For more background and detailed information, see:
Endorsements, Meeting reflections

Meeting of Sept 8 – Secure Ballots and the Propositions

Election Prep Meeting
Tuesday, September 8, on ZOOM…

Secure Ballots and the Propositions…

PDB’s meeting of September 8 was all about preparedness for the upcoming election and our ability to vote and have our votes counted!

    • When will mail-in ballots be available?
    • Will ballots be delivered in time and be counted?
    • How do I make sure my ballot is counted?
    • How secure will the vote count be?
    • When will we know results?
    • What about Propositions on the November 3 ballot?
    • Should PDB endorse any of the Propositions?

In addition to the BIG election concern – GET BIDEN/HARRIS INTO THE WHITE HOUSE – there are lots of questions about the how the voting will take place, will mail-in ballot procedures ensure access to ballots by voters and timely delivery for the count, and is the process secure and accurate?

John Gardner, Solano County Assistant Registrar of Voters, brought us up to date on County and local efforts to help ensure all voters can vote.  Mr. Gardner is also active at the national level and with other states and will share how these issues are faring in other important areas that are vital to voter turnout and vote count on November 3.

There are also 12 statewide Propositions on the November 3 ballot.  And in Benicia we have legally non-binding Local Measure D which seeks the opinion of Benicia voters regarding the number of retail cannabis businesses in the city.

We discussed the 12 statewide Propositions on the November 3 ballot and local Measure D.  For some of the Propositions the PDB Steering Committee included a consideration for endorsement by members.  (Note that our vote on state propositions is only advisory: local Democratic clubs must follow the positions taken by our State Democratic Party when it comes to state propositions.)

Voting by members was held online again.

We hope that our discussions helped clear up many questions about your ballot, how to ensure its accuracy to be accepted, and determine which of the propositions seeking your vote are important for you and the Benicia community.

2020 election, Benicia City Council, Benicia Mayor, Endorsements, Local elections, Progressive Democrats of Benicia

Progressive Democrats endorse Steve Young for Mayor, Terry Scott for City Council

By Ralph Dennis, August 18, 2020

In this age of pandemic distancing, the Progressive Democrats of Benicia convened about 50 members and interested parties in a digital ZOOM Candidate Forum on August 11.

Candidate for Mayor Steve Young and candidates for City Council Trevor Macenski and Terry Scott gave opening statements, answered prepared questions and audience questions, and finished with brief closing statements.

Members of the Progressive Democrats voted whether and whom to endorse by an online poll on the PDB website.  Voting was open for a week following the Forum.

For endorsement, PDB bylaws require a vote of 50% plus one of those present and voting.

For Mayor of Benicia – Councilmember Steve Young

Results were overwhelming in the Mayoral race.  100% of the 43 members voting chose to endorse Steve Young for Mayor in 2020.  Congratulations, Steve!  Christina Strawbridge, who declined to attend, received no votes.

For Benicia City Council – Arts and Culture Commissioner Terry Scott

The race for City Council presented members with a wider choice.  Members could vote for up to two to fill the two vacant seats.  Incumbent Tom Campbell, who also declined to attend, received only 5 votes, or 11.6% of those voting.  Planning Commissioner Trevor Macenski received 13 votes, or 30.2% of those voting.  Arts and Culture Commissioner Terry Scott received support from 40 members, or 93.0% of those voting, and snagged our only endorsement for City Council.  Congratulations, Terry!

For more information or to order yard signs, volunteer or contribute, visit: