Debi also answers questions from residents, including:
• Is the County expecting more voter participation this year? Is the County concerned about increased mail fraud or ballot harvesting? (13:35)
• Where does the County get each voter’s verified signature? (14:49)
• When will my ballot be counted? (15:18)
• Can I used any drop box, regardless of where I live? (17:14)
For more Contra Costa County Elections Information, including how to register, track your ballot, drop box locations, and more, visit https://ift.tt/2G04HbZ
For more information on San Ramon’s Virtual Mayor’s Breakfasts, visit https://bit.ly/SR-Mayor-Breakfasts
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
After some controversy regarding a majority-white pool of candidates, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Oakland City Councilmember Dan Kalb (District One) introduced the City of Oakland’s first independent redistricting commission. This is what Schaaf and Kalb said in their statements, released today, and sent to Zennie62Media:
“Congratulations to the fifteen commissioners selected to serve on Oakland’s first-ever independent Redistricting Commission (link). This citizen’s commission will draw Oakland’s very first set of new election borders free of political influence, based on 2020 Census Data to apply to the 2022 City Council and School Board elections. I’m grateful to my co-authors Councilmember Dan Kalb, the League of Women Voters and Oakland Rising who worked with me way back in 2014 to write Measure DD, which passed with 61.45 percent of the vote and established this independent process that finally debuts this year. Oaklanders, be proud we’re one of the only cities in the country to use this transparent, public process that keeps politicians from getting to draw their own election boundaries. It’s a great advance for democracy.”
“I’m thrilled that our Redistricting Commission is getting started and will do the hard work necessary to ensure equitable representation throughout Oakland,” Councilmember Dan Kalb said. “As one of the authors of the ballot measure that created the Commission, I’m glad the voters agreed that elected officials should not draw their own district lines. I know the Commission will fulfill its commitment to an Oakland where all can participate in the political process and where everyone has a voice.”
Dan Kalb
This was the ballot measure that Libby and I authored in 2014 to make sure local elected could not draw their own district lines.
Here’s the City of Oakland’s presentation of the final 15 commissioners (although, this time, they avoided including a breakdown by race and sex, for some reason):
On August 27, 2020, the first six Redistricting Commissioners selected nine Oakland residents to join the Commission. Those selected include: Tracy McKnight (District 1); Shirley Gee (District 2); Amber Blackwell (District 3); Paul Marshall (District 4); Masoud “Matt” Hamidi (District 5); Martha Hernandez (District 6); Daniel Chesmore (District 6); Gloria Crowell (District 7); and Tejal Shah (District 7).
The first six Commissioners were announced on July 22, 2020, after their names were randomly drawn by Acting City Clerk Asha Reed from a 30-person applicant pool. They were tasked with selecting seven additional voting members and two alternate members from the remaining applicant list. The first six Commissioners include: Jan Stevens (District 1); Benjie Achtenberg (District 2); Lilibeth Gangas (District 3); Diana Miller (District 4); Stephanie Goode (District 5); and Mary Velasco (District 6).
All members were vetted through a three-person Screening Panel prior to their selection to the Redistricting Commission. The Redistricting Commission is comprised of 13-voting members and two alternate members, with Commissioners Chesmore and Hamidi serving as the alternate members. The alternate members will actively and fully participate in the Commission’s work. The Commissioners are tasked with setting new district boundaries for City Council and School Board of Directors districts upon conclusion of the 2020 U.S. Census.
“We prioritized geographic location, racial, ethnic and economic diversity as we reviewed the applicant pool and thoughtfully made our selections,” Commissioner Gangas said. “We strived to represent the dynamic demographic characteristics of Oakland based on the applicant pool.”
“Our job is to ensure a fair and equitable process in determining the new district boundaries for Oakland,” Commissioner Velasco said. “We have Commissioners of different backgrounds and experiences from across Oakland, and who all indicated a willingness to set aside our own self interests in accomplishing our work.”
“We encourage residents, groups, and organizations to get involved in our work,” Commissioner Stevens said. “As a new Commission, we want the community to know of the work we are doing and will strive to make the redistricting process as open and transparent as possible.”
The Redistricting Commission will begin its work in the fall of 2020 and will approve the new district boundaries by December 31, 2021. The Commissioners are eligible to serve one term, which concludes when the final district maps are approved.
For additional information on the Redistricting Commission, or to receive email notifications on the Commission’s work, visit: www.oaklandca.gov/redistricting and select the ‘Register’ icon.
Tuesday’s program kicks off with the a united call to action from the future of the Democratic Party MILWAUKEE—Reimagined for a convention that will look and feel different than anything ever before, tonight’s Keynote Address at the 2020 Democratic National Convention wove together powerful and diverse voices from the next generation of party leaders into … Read more
Delegates will cast their nominating votes from cities, locations, and landmarks all across the nation MILWAUKEE—The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today the Americans who will cast their official nominating votes for president of the United States during tonight’s “Roll Call Across America.” The roll call vote will take place under tonight’s theme, “Leadership Matters,” and spotlight those who … Read more
The Joshua Pawlik Shooting is the focus of the just released report by Robert Warshaw, the Thelton E. Henderson court-appointed monitor of the Oakland Police Department in the wake of the events of The Riders Case. Below, is a digitized version of the report. You can also download it here. You can also read former … Read more
Oakland Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney Was So Excited With Kamala Harris As VP She Screamed ONN – Oakland Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney Talks DNC 2020 And Kamela Harris With Zennie62Media Oakland’s District Three City Councilmember called to talk with me Zennie62Media CEO Zennie Abraham (as I had called her earlier about coming on for our … Read more
Oakland Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney Talks DNC 2020 And Kamela Harris With Zennie62Media ONN – Oakland Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney Talks DNC 2020 And Kamela Harris With Zennie62Media Oakland’s District Three City Councilmember called to talk with me Zennie62Media CEO Zennie Abraham (as I had called her earlier about coming on for our Democratic National … Read more
MILWAUKEE—The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) released a selection of excerpts from the remarks of speakers as prepared for delivery who will address the Democratic National Convention tonight, August 17, from 9:00-11:00 PM ET. The theme of Monday’s program is “We the People.” This convention is about Americans rising up to take our country back—and move forward as … Read more
MILWAUKEE—Reimagined for a convention that will look and feel different than anything ever before, this year’s Keynote Address at the Democratic National Convention will weave together powerful and diverse voices from the next generation of party leaders into a unified pledge to step up and lead in this critical moment for the nation, convention organizers … Read more
White House Chief Of Staff Doesn’t Know The Issues Behind Mail-In Voting; CNN’s Jake Tapper Nails Em ONN – White House Chief Of Staff Doesn’t Know The Issues Behind Mail-In Voting; CNN’s Jake Tapper Nails Em White House Chief Of Staff Doesn’t Know The Issues Behind Mail-In Voting; CNN’s Jake Tapper Nails Em Note from … Read more
The Democratic National Convention to feature individuals from all walks of life, political affiliations and every corner of the country who support Joe Biden’s vision to lead us out of Trump’s chaos and crises. Natasha Taylor of Atlanta is one of the many speakers, here’s the news on others, with a full list to come. … Read more
Republican Voters Against Trump’s Racism From YouTube Channel: July 30, 2020 at 12:20PM ONN – Join us in voting against our racist President. Are you a Republican, ex-Republican, or Trump-voter who won’t support the president this November? Share your story here: https://ift.tt/2ByQ4u4 Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full … Read more
Powerful. This Trump-voting grandma from Indiana has had enough of Trump and his sidekicks ONN – “But what is the one thing that Mike Pence says? “Oh, Mr. President, you’re doing such a wonderful job, our administration is handling this Coronavirus wonderfully.” If I hear him say that one more time, I’m going to puke.” … Read more
Oakland, By Phil Tagami – Perhaps the time has come to realize that the experiment of professional career politicians failed Oakland – this cohort has “pooched” it pretty bad. Deficit Municipal budgets after a decade of record revenues year after year and the policies have not made us safer, healthier, or prosperous, solved a housing … Read more
Los Angeles – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 819 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. The 2020 class is 45% women, 36% underrepresented ethnic/racial communities (people of color, or p.o.c), and 49% international from 68 countries. … Read more
League Elects Deborah Turner President of the Board of Directors Voting rights organization celebrates 100th Anniversary at national convention WASHINGTON – Friday, the League of Women Voters of the United States elected Dr. Deborah Turner to serve as the 20th president of the board of directors. “Deborah Turner’s commitment to advancing voting rights and her … Read more
Southern Evangelical Seminary President Richard Land Reflects on the Birth Moment of the 1995 Southern Baptist Racial Reconciliation Resolution ‘I Not Only See the Gap That Remains, but the Distance Traveled’ CHARLOTTE, N.C.—This past weekend marked the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking passage of the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) “Resolution on Racial Reconciliation.” The landmark … Read more
Dear Oaklander, Heading into our 11th week sheltering in place, I’m inspired by recent wins for our community, such as the extension of my emergency eviction moratorium and a fall ballot initiative to provide Oakland youth with more political power! In this newsletter you’ll find: Updates on Oakland’s eviction moratorium extension Efforts to grant youth … Read more
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Today, as we observe the chosen birthday and legacy of Frederick Douglass, Pete Buttigieg penned an op-ed in The State discussing how we must invest in Black America to create a truly equitable America: The State: A Pete Buttigieg presidency will invest in building a stronger future for Black America By Pete Buttigieg South Carolina … Read more
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