Alyssa Gutierrez, Executive Director Economic & Policy Impact Center.
People Post is a space for opinion pieces, letters to the editor and guest submissions from members of the Long Beach community. The following is an op-ed and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Long Beach Post.
This year’s special municipal election, set to take place on Nov. 6, provides an opportunity to expand access to the civic engagement process for our historically disenfranchised communities.
Across the country, there are efforts to undermine the voting rights of millions of Americans. Here in Long Beach, Measure BBB is a proactive step in ensuring that voting is simpler, easier, and fair to everyone. Measure BBB greatly simplifies a complex voting process in Long Beach by eliminating a confusing write-in process that disproportionately impacts voters who are non-English speaking or have limited English proficiency.
Additionally, BBB revises term limits for elected officials to 12 years, aligning with current state and county term limits. This alignment promotes better governance because it allows members the time and incentive to develop the relevant expertise they need to be effective policy makers, leading to less reliance on others, including lobbyists, to replace that expertise.
Secondly, in the spirit of the Voter Rights Act of 1965, lauded as the most effective piece of federal civil rights legislation ever enacted in the country, Measure DDD will establish an independent redistricting commission to protect communities of interest from tactics like “cracking” and “packing” that dilute racial and ethnic minorities’ voice at the polls.
Ultimately, a strong citizen-led redistricting commission will dismantle gerrymandering practices of the past, prohibiting districts to be manipulated to benefit one candidate or party.
All Long Beach communities will be better represented when citizens, not city officials, determine their own boundaries.
Long Beach residents deserve a clear and simple process to participate in the voting and redistricting processes.
This November, let’s expand our voter and civil rights in Long Beach with Measures BBB and DDD.
Why we’re voting yes on Measures BBB and DDD
People Post is a space for opinion pieces, letters to the editor and guest submissions from members of the Long Beach community. The following is an op-ed and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Long Beach Post.
This year’s special municipal election, set to take place on Nov. 6, provides an opportunity to expand access to the civic engagement process for our historically disenfranchised communities.
Across the country, there are efforts to undermine the voting rights of millions of Americans. Here in Long Beach, Measure BBB is a proactive step in ensuring that voting is simpler, easier, and fair to everyone. Measure BBB greatly simplifies a complex voting process in Long Beach by eliminating a confusing write-in process that disproportionately impacts voters who are non-English speaking or have limited English proficiency.
Additionally, BBB revises term limits for elected officials to 12 years, aligning with current state and county term limits. This alignment promotes better governance because it allows members the time and incentive to develop the relevant expertise they need to be effective policy makers, leading to less reliance on others, including lobbyists, to replace that expertise.
Secondly, in the spirit of the Voter Rights Act of 1965, lauded as the most effective piece of federal civil rights legislation ever enacted in the country, Measure DDD will establish an independent redistricting commission to protect communities of interest from tactics like “cracking” and “packing” that dilute racial and ethnic minorities’ voice at the polls.
Ultimately, a strong citizen-led redistricting commission will dismantle gerrymandering practices of the past, prohibiting districts to be manipulated to benefit one candidate or party.
All Long Beach communities will be better represented when citizens, not city officials, determine their own boundaries.
Long Beach residents deserve a clear and simple process to participate in the voting and redistricting processes.
This November, let’s expand our voter and civil rights in Long Beach with Measures BBB and DDD.
In solidarity,
Alyssa Gutierrez, Executive Director
Economic & Policy Impact Center (EPIC)
Steve Neal
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Long Beach Affiliate
Reverend Leon Wood
Local Educator, Activist & Pastor
Reverend Rethis Murry, Senior Pastor
Holy Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church
Pastor Gregory Sanders
The Rock Christian Fellowship
Darick Simpson, Executive Director
Long Beach Community Action Partnership
Laura Som
Equity for Cambodians