Friday Five
Every day, we inch closer to the general election and restoring sanity. The presidential primaries already are underway — with Iowa (yikes), New Hampshire, and Nevada — behind us, and South Carolina voting Saturday. A front-runner will likely be solidified this Tuesday, March 3 — Super Tuesday — when 14 states, including California, will vote.
More than one-third of all delegates for the Democratic National Convention will be up for grabs on Tuesday, and 30% of those will come from California — so your vote matters. This is the first year since 2008 that California will be voting on Super Tuesday (in recent years, we’ve come much later in the process).
We at The Bold Italic really want you to vote — both for your presidential pick as well as the items on your local candidates and issues — so we’ve rounded up everything you need to know heading into Tuesday:
1. What’s on the ballot
It’s a good idea to become familiar with what’s on your ballot so you’re not just staring at a bunch of random names and wishing you had done some Googling. First, yes, if you’re a registered Democrat or have listed no party preference, you will be able to vote for the Democratic presidential candidate you’d like to nominate delegates to represent for the Democratic National Convention. You can also switch your party affiliation on Election Day if needed; just tell poll workers if you get handed a ballot without presidential nominees on it. Every city will have various other elections and ballot measures. Nancy Pelosi is seeking an 18th term in the 12th District; her challengers are Democrat Shahid Buttar and Republican John Dennis. There are other state legislature races and judgeships up for grabs as well as bonds and ordinances. Find what’s on your specific ballot.
2. Who to vote for
It’s also helpful to make up your mind about these races and ordinances ahead of voting. If you haven’t figured out who you want to nominate for the Democratic presidential primary candidate, you have a few days to figure out where you stand. Several great resources are out there to see who aligns with your stances, including Politico’s voter guide and this quiz from the Washington Post. For local elections, the San Francisco Chronicle’s “2020 Voter Guide” is a great resource, and 48 Hills can help you better understand what’s going on for electing SF superior judges.
3. Check whether you’re registered to vote
You can check your voter status on the California Secretary of State’s site or by calling the San Francisco Department of Elections at (415) 554–4375. If you’re not yet registered, it doesn’t actually matter anymore. Thanks to a new law in place this year, you can register on the same day at your polling place and immediately cast a ballot. So no excuses: Go vote.
4. Where to vote
Head to YourFuckingPollingPlace.com to find your local polling place. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., make sure to stay in line, and you can still vote. If you are voting by mail or have a special circumstance regarding mailing your ballot, we recommend also consulting your respective Department of Elections website.
5. Where to watch results
Watch parties will be taking place across the city, so go grab a drink with your fellow citizens and watch the numbers roll in. A few to note: Buttar’s campaign (running to unseat Pelosi) will be hosting an election watch party at Zeitgeist SF. If you’re supporting Bernie Sanders, his SF campaign office is hosting a party (note: the office “is a family friendly space, so no alcohol will be provided on premises.”) Pete Buttigieg supporters can watch the results at The Valencia Room. Another option: Attend an election watch party with former congresswoman and gun control advocate Gabby Giffords at Manny’s in the Mission. Or just stay home with some beer and CNN; that works, too.
