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Bill to Advance ‘Voting Rights for All’ Introduced to State Assembly

Published

7 years ago

February 22, 2017

Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) introduced AB 918, the ‘California Voting for All Act,’ which would be the first of its kind in the country to provide language assistance to limited-English proficient voters.

According to Bonta, the bill would increase voter participation among Asian Americans, Latinos and other minority communities across California by implementing reasonable steps to improve access.

Assemblymember Rob Bonta

The bill is joint authored by Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) and sponsored by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ) – California and numerous voting rights organizations.

AB 918 would ensure that translated copies of ballots be more available and more usable for voters. The bill would also provide training for poll workers on proper handling of these translated ballots.

Although California has voting laws which are stronger than the federal government requires, compliance with these state regulations by counties is not consistent.

Research conducted during the November 2016 General Election by AAAJ found that translated ballots were missing from some polling locations. And those locations that had translated ballots did not post them in a conspicuous location, as required by law.

AAAJ also reported that elections offices do not adequately educate voters and poll workers are not well trained as to their availability.

“This bill will make California a nationwide leader in ensuring access to voting for immigrant voters,” said Jonathan Stein, Voting Rights Program Manager at AAAJ – Asian Law Caucus.

“As the state with the most immigrant voters and the most limited-English voters, California has an obligation to be on the leading edge of providing language assistance in elections.”

Bonta’s bill would require counties to file a public report with the Secretary of State after every statewide general election documenting their performance in recruiting bilingual poll workers.

“Less than 20 percent of Asians who are eligible to vote actually turn out,” said Bonta.

“No American should be denied the privilege and duty of voting because of a language barrier,” he said. “Our diverse voices and viewpoints must be heard.”

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Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

1 week ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”