It is election season in the United States of America, which means it is time for the people to get out, vote and let their voices be heard. There are a wide range of elections going on at the local, state and national level. From the race for a seat on the board of trustees of the Contra Costa Community College District, 10 propositions looking to get passed, a senate race and of course the presidential election, there is a lot to vote on this November. The purpose of this guide is to help educate voters so they can make informed decisions on the races and propositions on the ballot. The Experience editorial board also offers its recommendations on how to vote.
Use the arrows to navigate through our selections.
Electoral Candidates
Presidential Candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. (Photo Illustration by Lesly FIsiiahi and Gabbie Munoz; Photo Images by Gage Skidmore / Openverse). (
Lesly Fisiiahi and Gabbie Munoz )
President and Vice President:
The 2024 U.S. presidential election is a hotly contested race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s campaign, with running mate JD Vance, has been centering its messaging on protecting and prioritizing America first with a platform focused on immigration reform, fixing inflation and providing tax cuts. Harris, and running mate Tim Walz, have focused their campaign messaging on keeping America on the right track with a platform highlighting immigratrion reform strengthening health care and providing national protections for abortion access. The intense battle to get voters out to the polls, especially in key swing states such as Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania, has been hard fought as the race is expected to be extremely tight. Both candidates feature a striking contrast in their stance on many key issues such as foreign policy, civil rights, inflation and immigration, signifying that the outcome of this election will significantly impact U.S. policies going forward.
Our choice: Kamala Harris
Failing to denounce the genocide in Gaza, inconsistent messaging on key issues and tension within her current administration as vice president proves that Harris is far from a perfect candidate. However, electing Donald Trump to the oval office for a second term would leave Americans and the world in for another four years of chaos. Trump’s divisive rhetoric and flawed policies will accomplish nothing but tear the country apart. While both candidates fail to provide a great choice for the American people, the better choice would be to elect Kamala Harris.
California state senate candidates, Adam Schiff (left) and Steve Garvey (right).
U.S. Senate:
The 2024 California Senate election will feature a tightly contested race between Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey the candidates who advanced from the top two primary held earlier this year. Schiff, who currently serves in the House of Representatives for California’s 30th congressional district, vows to protect reproductive rights, focus on climate change and help create affordable housing. Garvey, a former professional baseball player, promises to work on securing California’s border, fighting against homelessness and fixing inflation.
Our choice: Adam Schiff
Schiff’s impressive track record in the House of Representatives as a progressive voice for change makes him a much more suitable choice for California’s open senate seat.
College board: Ward 5 candidates, Debra Vinson (left) and Fernando Sandoval (right).
College Board: District 5:
There are two candidates who are running for a seat on the board of the Contra Costa Community College District. The governing board plays an important role for students as they work to make decisions for the college district that involve the policy, district spending and other important factors. Incumbent Fernando Sandoval faces off against Debra Vinson for the Ward 5 seat that includes Los Medanos College and other east county residents. Sandoval has promised students that he would help develop our educational experiences as he serves with integrity and transparency. On the other side of the aisle, Vinson has served as a School Board Trustee for the Antioch Unified School District.
Our choice: Fernando Sandoval
It is important that we re-elect Sandoval to the Ward 5 seat of the Contra Costa Community College District to keep our district moving in the right direction. Reaching out to the community and using his experience in the position, Sandoval helps promote diversity and educational equity for everyone in our district.
Proposition Ballots
Prop. 2:
Authorizing Bonds for repairing Public Schools and Community College Facilities:
Authorizes $10 billion worth of bonds to be used for the refurbishment and construction of California schools with $8.5 billion being allocated to K-12 public schools and $1.5 billion to community colleges. Would require annual audits to ensure funds are being properly used to address safety concerns and classroom conditions. Due to interest, it would cost taxpayers $18 billion over 35 years, a high concern for opponents of the measure along with the distribution of funds
Our choice: Vote YES
Investment into the California education system remains a critical issue as it is imperative for us to prioritize the growth of our students
Prop. 3
Constitutional Right to Marry Regardless of Sex or Race:
Prop 3 is proposed to repeal Prop 8 from 2008, which banned same-sex marriage in California. Rulings from the US Supreme Court have made Prop 8 unenforceable since then, however, the text still states that marriage is only between a man and a woman. If passed, Prop 3 would remove this language and define marriage in California as a fundamental right. Opponents of the measure believe that the new language in the constitution would be too vague and allow for incest, polygamy and child marriages.
Our choice: Vote YES
The outdated and unenforceable language in our state’s constitution is problematic and archaic. We believe that it is important to update the constitution to more progressive language
Prop. 4
Authorizing bonds for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention and protection of lands:
Prop 4 would approve another $10 billion in bonds to be used for environment protection such as safe drinking water, clean air, wildfire prevention and protecting coastal areas from sea level rise. Opponents of the prop argue that funding for important climate projects should be in the California budget instead of using bonds, applying less stress on taxpayers. Supporters believe that the prop would save money, repairing climate change sooner rather than later.
Our choice: Vote YES
We believe that it is so important for Californians to protect our climate. Prioritizing the environment now will help us all in the future.
Prop. 5
Allows approval of local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure for low and middle income Californians:
Lowers the threshold for local governments to pass bond measures from two-thirds of the vote to 55 percent. Measures that focus on affordable housing and public infrastructure bonds would likely pass easier. Supporters argue that the current high threshold stifles progress, making important projects hard to approve. Opponents make the case that bond debt will only rise if Prop 5 were to pass as local governments borrow more money.
Our choice: Vote NO
Two-thirds of the vote is an appropriate majority to achieve for important bonds. Making it easier to approve bonds will create more bond debt and harm our local communities.
Prop. 6
Amends CA constitution that allows jails and prisons to impose involuntary servitude to punish a crime:
Prohibits involuntary servitude from being used as punishment from a crime in jails and prisons. Inmates would still be able to voluntarily accept work in exchange for credits that would reduce their sentences. Minimum wage may be required to be paid to inmates who do choose to work on such assignments. Supporters argue that forced labor is inhumane to enforce. No formal opposition to the proposition has been submitted.
Our choice: Vote NO
It remains true that our prisons system needs serious reform, however, we believe that paying wages to inmates may create strain on the budget and cause excess financial burden.
Prop. 32
Raises Minimum Wage to $17 immediately, and to $18 Jan. 1, 2025:
If Prop 32 passes, the CA minimum wage would rise to $17 immediately for employers who have 26 or more employees, and to $18 on January 1, 2025, while employers with 25 or less employees would raise their wages to $17 on January 1, 2025 and $18 in 2026. Supporters argue that the prop would help workers afford basic needs while opponents make the case that the rise in wages would increase state and local deficits and fails to make California more affordable.
Our choice: Vote YES
We support raising the minimum wage because we believe that it is important to help make affording basic needs in California possible for everyone.
Prop. 33
Expands local governments’ authority to enact rent control on residential property:
Aims to repeal the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, a current state law that prohibits cities and counties from regulating rent increases in their area. Supporters argue that Prop 33 keeps renters in their homes and helps pacify California’s housing crisis. However, opponents say that the new rent control that the prop would approve, would deter investment into new housing developments. Prop 33 is part of California’s efforts to address affordable housing challenges.
Our choice: Vote NO
Local Rent control fails to directly address the housing crisis. Discouraging investment into housing development that would more effectively fix the problem.
Prop. 34
Restricts spending of drug revenue by certain healthcare providers:
If passed, Prop 34 would require specific healthcare providers to spend 98% percent of their drug revenue on patient care. The measure aims to guarantee that at-risk and low income patients receieve the help they need. Supporters believe that the measure will ensure that revenue made will be spent in the interest of at need patients while opponents say that Prop 34 is being used by landlords to attack non-profit organizations that have supported the rent control initiative.
Our choice: Vote NO
Prop 34, supported by many politicians and housing groups, weaponizes the ballot to hurt their opponents who have supported propositions that work to take away rent control.
Prop. 35
Provides permanent funding for medi-cal:
Prop 35 would require that the state spends more money on Medi-cal which has been expanded in recent years but failed to keep up with payments to doctors. Projected to make around $35 billion over the next four years, while revenue would go to important forms of care for patients such as emergency services, family planning and mental health. Supporters believe that the measure empowers California healthcare while there has been no formal opposition to the proposition Submitted.
Our choice: Vote YES
Supporting our healthcare system enables professionals to be able to take care of all of their patients. The money put into supporting Medi-cal would be a lifeline for those in need.
Prop. 36
Allows felony charges and increased sentencing on drug and theft crimes:
Reclassifies certain misdemeanor drug and theft crimes as felonies and increases the punishment for repeat offenders while people who do not contest charges will have the opportunity to complete drug treatment instead of going to prison. Supporters believe that the measure will help deal with California’s spike in shoplifting and drug trafficking. Opponents argue that the proposition will lead to more crime as a war on drugs measure that wastes money and hurts the state.
Our choice: Vote NO
Prop 36 supports another war on drugs that would prove to be unnecessarily costly and unfairly target specific communities.
