Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Keep Our Eyes on the Prize

by Amy Wong Mok
Vice President for Membership
February 20, 2008

The 2008 presidential election will prove to be an important chapter in our quest for justice and equality for Asian Americans. The leadership team at 80-20 asked all of the presidential candidates to answer "yes" to six questions that have been formulated to demonstrate their commitment to specific and measurable progress in fair employment and promotion opportunities for all Asian Americans. If a promise is broken, the breach will be measurable for all to see and we shall hold accountable those who break their promise with a longer memory than an elephant and with more tenacity than a donkey.

It has taken a lot of hard work for us to get to this point; we must all keep our eyes on the prize. Our strength is derived from our unity of action. 80-20 has a clear strategy and tested tactics. Our common goal is to secure what is rightfully ours as citizens of our great nation. We could disagree on tactical details but let there be no doubt that we are brothers and sisters fighting for a common dream. Let it be remembered that we are asking to right a wrong that is long overdue. We are not asking for any undue advantage for ourselves at the expense of society. Society will change only when there is both push and pull. The tide of history may push us forward but we must also do the pulling ourselves. That is the basis of our bloc vote.
Numbers mean a lot in politics. The power of Asian Americans delivering a bloc vote has begun to catch the national media's attention; the interview of Dr. S.B. Woo on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 program has put us firmly on the national political map. The more of us speak up, the more compelling our voice will be to the politicians. The larger number of people who participate in 80-20 movement, the stronger Asian Americans will become. Please take one of the following actions NOW:

1. Be a member of 80-20 Initiative if you have not already joined us.
2. Give your family or friends the membership as a gift.
3. Upgrade the level of your membership.
4. Be a life member of 80-20 Initiative if you are already a member.
5. Make a contribution to 80-20 to help us prepare for the general election.

We look forward to swearing in a President who has promised to appoint more qualified Asian American judges to the federal courts and who will enforce Executive Order 11246 to include Asian Americans in the executive promotions. When that day comes, you willknow you have played your part to turn our hope into reality. Please act NOW.

There are 9 types of membership:
1. Basic (1 vote) -- $35
2. Family (Two names to get 2 votes) -- $50
3. Professional (1 vote) -- $75
4. Professional family (2 names to get 2 votes) -- $150
5. Student -- $15
6. Life** -- $1000
7. Family life** (two names to get 2 votes) -- $1,500
8. Honorary Life** -- $5,000
9. Honorary Family Life** (two names to get 2 votes) -- $10,000 ** Membership names on permanent display on 80-20's web site. See http://www.80-20initiative.net/about/lifemembers.asp

Any US citizen or P.R. can join, using a credit card, visit
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/payment.asp (easy to use) or
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/join.asp (Paypal)
PERSONAL checks are payable to "80-20 PAC", mailed to:
Jing-Li Yu Treasurer
.O. Box 527340 Flushing, NY 11352-7340 .
Write down your E-MAIL address & PHONE no. on the BACK of the check. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Monday, February 18, 2008

View CNN's New Video On Asian Americans Here!

To view or review CNN's NEW 2-minute clip on OUR views of why Asian Americans voted 3 to 1 for Hillary on Super Tuesday, click on
http://www.80-20initiative.net/success/media_mainstream_080215cnn.asp.

If clicking on the above URL doesn't work, please cut and paste it to a browser.

Forward this email to your friends and relatives with PRIDE, because YOU helped make this part of history! Thank you.

Respectfully yours,
S. B. Woo
Member, Executive Comm., 80-20 PAC, Inc.

Friday, February 15, 2008

CNN airs OUR view on AsAm cohesiveness tonight

CNN will air our views on the Asian American political cohesiveness tonight. Please watch.

Thanks to the 2100 doers who signed the petition and took the time to leave 900 comments with CNN expressing our disappointment, CNN has responded positively to our request.

As the petition has requested, CNN will present a more balanced report that will include the rise of political cohesiveness within the Asian American community tonight. It'll be on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, "Race and Gender." The show time for the three different time zones in the US will be:
10pm ET/ 9pm CT/ 7pm PT.

Gary Tuchman who reported in the earlier 2-minute segment that outraged us was very cordial, when he and I interacted. He interviewed me for about 30 minutes. As expected it'll be reduced to about 1 minute or less when aired.

Since the cutting and pasting power rests with CNN, we'll reserve our final judgment until we've seen the program. I believe that the program will devote about 10 minutes to discussing Asian American's 3 to 1 bloc vote for Sen. Clinton, near the end of the 1-hour program.

Congratulations! It is another demonstration of what a politically cohesive Asian American community can achieve. -- get our equal citizenship and be an integral part of America.

It is also a wonderful demonstration of mutual empowerment. You by joining the petition have empowered 80-20 to represent you. 80-20 by its political know-how induced CNN to do a more balanced report which in turn empowers you -- enabling your voice to be heard across the nation.

Let's keep that up. Join 80-20. By joining 80-20, you empower 80-20. With larger financial resources, 80-20 in turn will be in a better position to empower you! 80-20 gratefully acknowledges

Sanghun & Mylinh Song of NY: $2,000, the largest per person donation this year
Leonard & Jenny Cheng of Hong Kong: $1,000
David Choy of Calif.: $1,000
Yin Chan of NJ: $500
Bin Ke of PA: $500

Using a credit card, visit
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/payment.asp (easy to use) or http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/join.asp (Paypal)
PERSONAL checks are payable to "80-20 PAC", mailed to:
Jing-Li Yu Tresurer
P.O. Box 527340 Flushing, NY 11352-7340 .
Write down your E-MAIL address & PHONE no. on the BACK of the check. Life membership is $1,000; Family (2 voters) is $50; Basic Membership is $35; Student membership is $15.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Call To Action - A Reminder

Call To Action (If you've not signed the petition.)

On February 8, 2008, CNN aired a 2 minute segment that seemed to insinuate that the overwhelming Asian American support for Sen. Clinton were owing to two major causes -- fearful of a black presidential candidate and/or fearful of change.

80-20 is outraged. It is therefore supporting a petition originated by Mr. Samson Fu. We urge you to visit the site and sign a petition to CNN urging it to
(1) take this video off their website, and
(2) do another segment with balanced reporting and include the rise of Asian American political influence.

Please view the 2 minute segment yourself and SIGN THE PETITION http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wUs_2fa5IkCNYwyhf_2b_2biB9Tw_3d_3d
Within 24 hours, 1250 persons have signed of which 500 provided comments. The resounding success of the petition is proof positive of our community's newly established political cohesiveness -- news for CNN!

I have sent a letter to Anderson Cooper. The names and addresses of the signatories & their comments, in hard copies, have been hand-delivered to CNN. Since CNN has not replied yet, YOU need to keep up the pressure and sign the petition in even large numbers today. Please DO YOUR SHARE.

In many ways, this is a very serious matter. It could cause racial disharmony between the black community and ours. Please sign the petition now! We salute Samson Fu and thank you.

Respectfully yours,

Kathleen To
President, The 80-20 Initiative, Inc.

Another way to protest to CNN

E-mail: 360@CNN.com and public.information@CNN.com

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Call To Action

On February 8, 2008, CNN aired a 2 minute segment that seemed to insinuate that the overwhelming Asian American support for Sen. Clinton were owing to two major causes -- fearful of a black presidential candidate and/or fearful of change.

80-20 is outraged. It is therefore supporting a petition originated by Mr. Samson Fu. We urge you to visit the site and sign a petition to CNN urging it to
(1) take this video off their website, and
(2) do another segment with balanced reporting and include the rise of Asian American political influence.

Please view the 2 minute segment yourself and SIGN THE PETITION http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wUs_2fa5IkCNYwyhf_2b_2biB9Tw_3d_3d

In many ways, this is a very serious matter. It could cause racial disharmony between the black community and ours. Please sign the petition now! We salute Samson Fu and thank you.

Respectfully yours,

Kathleen To
President, The 80-20 Initiative, Inc.

Other ways to protest to CNN

E-mail (Politics): http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?9 Phone: (404) 827-1500
Comment Line: (404) 827-0234
Newsroom Fax: (404) 827-1906

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Wow. A Victorious Bloc Vote in California!

History was made. Last night, in California the political cohesiveness of our community was proven.

Here is what exit polls taken by CNN*, NY Times* and Google* found:
Senator Clinton lost to Obama among whites by a small margin and lost 1 to 4 among black voters. So how could she gain "the decisive California win?" It is because

"Hispanics voted 2 to 1 or 66/33 for her last night, although polls a week ago showed an even stronger 4 to 1 support. However, Asian Americans under the leadership of 80-20 and its affiliates organized and delivered a bloc vote of 3 to 1 or 75/25 to her."

Last night's vote signals the arrival of a new era in Asian American Politics. Let the word go forth that we've learned how to reward political leaders who share our rightful concerns, and punish those who don't.

80-20 wishes to thank in particular our college students and young professionals. While that age group had predominantly supported Sen. Obama for his theme of change and his oratorical skills nationwide, Asian Am. youth responded unselfishly to 80-20's call for unity and voted for Sen. Clinton in California. They showed exceptional willingness to sacrifice self for the good of the entire community. We salute them.

We need to get ready for the next battles. We need to induce the Republican Nominee to reply to our questionnaire with all yeses. We need a great war chest to deliver a national Asian Am. bloc vote to the next president of USA**.

Join 80-20, the best and largest national Asian Am. political organization. Using a credit card, visit
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/payment.asp (easy to use) or http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/join.asp (Paypal)
PERSONAL checks are payable to "80-20 PAC", mailed to:
Jing-Li Yu Tresurer
P.O. Box 527340 Flushing, NY 11352-7340 .
Write down your E-MAIL address & PHONE no. on the BACK of the check. Life membership is $1,000; Family (2 voters) is $50; Basic Membership is $35; Student membership is $15.

- - - - - - - - -
*CNN exit poll: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/epolls/#val=3DCADEM=0A NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/us/politics/05cnd-calif.html?ref=politics
Google exit poll: http://www.smh.com.au/news/us-election/clinton-wins-the-big-one-california/2008/02/06/1202233948262.htm

** See article 7 of 80-20's bylaws for a set of written rules regarding endorsement in the General Election. http://www.80-20initiative.net/about/bylaws.asp

Monday, February 04, 2008

Advice On Who To Vote For Tomorrow

Summary of our recommendations

For Democrats and Independents: In California, do a bloc vote for Sen. Clinton; push for as big a turnout of AsAm voters as possible! In all other states, vote your personal choice.

For Republicans: Not a single Republican 
presidential candidate has replied to 80-20's questionnaire thus far. We have no recommendation.

Why should you take 80-20's recommendations seriously?

80-20 fights for you & produces results. Let's review the facts:

11/29, 80-20 began to pressure Sen. Clinton with a "Call to Action."
12/11, Sen. Clinton replied with all yeses, while suggesting rightful modifications.
12/12, Sen. Edwards signed with all yeses.
12/31, Governor Richardson signed with all yeses.
12/28, 80-20 began to pressure Sen. Obama with a "Call To Action -- Defeat Obama."
1/18, 80-20 held a press conference in SF endorsing Sen. Clinton for the Calif. Democratic primary.
1/31, Sen. Obama replied with all yeses, while suggesting modifications to strengthen his commitment to the Asian Am. community.

The above are facts that you personally witnessed!

What Does 80-20 aim to achieve?

80-20 aims to make YOU THE WINNER tomorrow, whether Clinton or Obama wins; McCain or Romney wins. If you vote according to what 80-20 has advised, exit polls will show that
Asian Americans cast a bloc vote in California for Clinton stronger than that of the Hispanics, while showing no strong preference elsewhere among Democrats or Republicans. Headlines will blare:

"SIT UP AND NOTICE. Asian Ams. showed amazing political cohesiveness on Super Tuesday. Both political parties MUST take their rightful concerns seriously from now on!"

THEREFORE, spread the word. Forward this to your friends & relatives! Help send this message to ALL Asian American voters.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Reaction To "Good News From Obama"

Congratulatory messages flooded in. See below. We thank you.

Will you consider turning your appreciation of 80-20 into action? Join 80-20, renew your membership or donate. 80-20 will have a BIG battle to fight in the General Election in November. Using a credit card, visit
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/payment.asp (easy to use) or
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/join.asp (Paypal)

PERSONAL checks are payable to "80-20 PAC", mailed to:
Jing-Li Yu Tresurer
P.O. Box 527340 Flushing, NY 11352-7340 .
Write down your E-MAIL address & PHONE no. on the BACK of the check. Life membership is $1,000; Family (2 voters) is $50; Basic Membership is $35; Student membership is $15.

Reader's Reaction

1) Thanks for the political science education. Gary Tang

2) Congratulations on the great news! Yuko

3) Great news!... This is a great achievement and a symbol of the power of the Asian Americans united!... Let's get the Republican side now.
Daming Zhu and Liang Lin

4) Thanks for everything you have done for raising the voice of Asian Americans…. With Admiration and Respect, Shitao Huo

5) EXCELLENT! Cwadudley

6) Great job done. You should be crowned the Saint for Asian American. Now I have to work to undoing my works in pursuing people voting for Clinton.

[Answer: I don't know where you live. Please note that we still endorse Sen. Clinton in CA. Please re-read Parag. 2 of our newsletter: "80-20 considers the commitment from Senator Obama to Asian American issues to be at least as strong as the commitment from Senator Clinton, Senator Edwards, and Governor Richardson. Henceforth, with the exception of California, 80-20 is neutral in the primary contests between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama." ]

7) Very short Message from some of our Life Members:
a) What can I do to help? Henry Lee
b) Great achievement, finally! Carter Tseng
c) It is great! I will send you another check of $1,000 in the next few days. Anonymous

8) … I am beginning to see the value and strength of your email campaign and will do my best to encourage other Asian Americans to add their names (and emails) to your list. Armand P. Chau

[Answer: Forgive me for sounding like a broken record: In America, we must do politics the American way.]

9) By George! You did it! You did it! And you did it! I didn't think you could do it! You did it! And you did it! Congratulations! Good show!

10) Salute, brother: do you want us to donate money to 80-20 or to candidate you endorse? shaw zhou

[Answer: Before Sen. Obama replied with all yeses, 80-20 had bundled checks for Sen. Clinton and spent $30,000 buying ads for her in newspapers and radio stations. Now, we need to get ready for the BIG general election battle. Send your money to 80-20! :-) ]

11) Winning supporters one by one. Here are two examples.

A) The Obama party's altering of the questions to their comfort and context seems like a skirting of the true issue. Colin Takara

[Answer: Top priority" plus "whenever" and without the time limit of "your first term." Isn't that combination at least as stronger as "seek to nominate... during your first term?" Besides, We still endorse Sen. Clinton in the Dem. primary in CA. SB]

Colin Takara emailed again: Yes, I will concede that point.

B) "Exception of California" meaning 80-20 still supports Clinton in CA or what? Ken Zhou

[Answer: Yes, we still urge Asian Americans to support Sen. Clinton in CA. We already endorsed Sen. Clinton. If we take an endorsement back, who will believe in 80-20's endorsement in the future? SB]

Ken emailed again: You are absolutely right. Thanks for the explanation. I didn't think it through. Congratulations for the great job you have done for all Asian Americans. Ken

[I Answered again: Aren't you nice, Ken. S.B.]

12) Messages from die-hard supporters of Clinton and Obama:
a) the YESES are too late. Gary Zhang
b) You could still do a dual California endorsement now…. Subodh

[Answer to both: Please give the interests of our community a bit more weight, and your own preference of candidates a bit less. We need to keep our eyes on the ball -- winning equal opportunity for the 13 million Asian Americans through the 2008 presidential election. Is that a deal? :-) ]

14) i appreciate the work of 80-20 greatly and this is certainly the best political effort any asian am has put together, for which i throw whole heartedly my support to and my ultimate respect for the pioneers…..
David Liu

80-20 sincerely thanks David Liu and at least 30 others who wrote very sincerely and moving "thank you emails" which we don't have the space to publicize. Our apologies and THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Sen. Obama Replied with all YESES

After negotiations between 80-20 and the Obama campaign, 80-20 has agreed to modify the wording of two questions in its questionnaire. With these modifications, the Obama campaign has agreed to answer “yes” to all of the questions in the questionnaire. 80-20 appreciates the Obama campaign’s efforts to reach an amicable solution and applauds the campaign for reaffirming its strong commitment to increasing the number of Asian Americans in the federal judiciary and the enforcement of Executive order 11246 to ensue equal opportunity for Asian Americans in work places.

80-20 considers the commitment from Senator Obama to Asian American issues to be at least as strong as the commitment from Senator Clinton, Senator Edwards, and Governor Richardson. Henceforth, with the exception of California, 80-20 is neutral in the primary contests between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama.

OLD Q4 If elected, will you within your first term of office increase the nomination of qualified Asian Americans to serve as Article III life-tenured federal judges, whenever such vacancies are available until the current dismal situation is significantly remedied? [To put things in perspective, not meaning to imply quota, presently there are 0.6% Asian Am. Federal judges, while the Asian Am. population is 4.5% and the % of Asian Am legal professionals in laws firms of 100 or larger is at least 5.3%.]

NEW Q4: If elected, will you make it a top priority of your Administration to nominate qualified Asian Americans to serve as Article III life-tenured District Court federal judges, whenever such vacancies are available?

OLD Q5: If elected, will you nominate within your first term of office qualified Asian Americans to serve as Article III Circuit Judges, whenever there are vacancies in those positions, until the current dismal situation is significantly remedied? [To put things in perspective, none of the 179 Article III Circuit judges is an Asian American.]?

NEW Q5: If elected, will you make it a top priority of your Administration to nominate qualified Asian Americans to serve as Article III Circuit Judges, whenever there are vacancies in those positions?

To see Sen. Obama's signed reply, please click on http://www.80-20initiative.net/news/preselect2008.asp .

80-20 wishes to thank Dr. John Levinson of Delaware and Chris Lu of Senator Obama's campaign for their great effort in seeking a win-win solution. The above described agreement not only helps Asian Americans achieve equal opportunity but also helps nudge America towards "a more perfect Union."

Now that the two remaining Democratic presidential candidates have both replied to 80-20's questionnaires with all yeses, 80-20 will focus on getting the Republican presidential candidates to make the same commitment. We urge all Asian Americans to work with 80-20 to achieve that noble goal that will be so beneficial to our children. History beckons. UNITED, we shall overcome.

Joyfully yours,
S.B. Woo, Exec. Comm., 80-20 PAC, Inc.
Lieutenant Governor of Delaware (1985-89)

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

* Why? Why? Why? Political Insight!

* Contents of this newsletter have been removed in accordance with 80-20's agreement with the Obama campaign, after Sen. Obama replied to 80-20's questionnaire with all Yeses.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

* How close is the race btwn Clinton & Obama?

* Contents of this newsletter have been removed in accordance with 80-20's agreement with the Obama campaign, after Sen. Obama replied to 80-20's questionnaire with all Yeses.

Friday, January 25, 2008

* Higher College Admission Bars for Asian Ams

* Contents of this newsletter have been removed in accordance with 80-20's agreement with the Obama campaign, after Sen. Obama replied to 80-20's questionnaire with all Yeses.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Great News! Must read.

Our endorsement of Sen. Clinton Got Prominent Coverage
80-20 held a press conference in SF Bay Area on Jan. 18 to announce our endorsement of Sen. Clinton for the Calif. Democratic primary. Prominent leaders from many Asian Am. ethnic communities attended. 80-20 Board members Joel Wong and Frank Lee co-chaired
the press conference.

In the print media, the news was covered by a mainstream news outlet, the News Media Group in the Bay Area, which included Oakland Tribune (front page), San Jose Mercury and Contra Costa Times. Almost all ethnic media gave us very prominent coverage. The World Journal, Sing Tao Daily and the China Press helped spread the news nationally.

In the visual media, the endorsement was reported by Bay Area's KRON 4 (mainstream), KTSF 6 (Asian) & NTDTV 32 (Asian), each lasting about 2 minutes. To see the broadcasts of the first two channels, click on http://www.80-20initiative.net. The videos are right on the Home page.

A Quote from the Clinton Camp, After our Endorsement

This quote came from The Oakland Tribune's front page article on 1/19/08: "Clinton campaign 
spokesman Luis Vizcaino said Friday that Sen. Clinton 'is honored to have the endorsement of 80-20. The Asian American and Pacific Islander community 
has a critical voice that will never go unheard when she is President. ' "

Our Ads are On The Air And In Print in California

To listen to 80-20's radio ads and see its newspaper ads (many in the front page) in California, click on http://www.80-20initiative.net/news/preselect2008_caprim_ad.asp. You'll also see a time schedule when various ads in Asian American ethnic communities will come on line. THIS IS A MUST. You'll be proud of 80-20.

Invite Friends to Join the
Asian Americans For Hillary Movement


Email your friends to urge them to go for Hillary. Many have already done so. Then they proudly sent the positive responses of their friends to me. 80-20 salutes these great DOERS! Be a DOER! Do your share! It'll take this kind of effort from all of us to win a historic battle for
our children.

The Best Gives Without Being asked

Fighting a historic battle requires money. The good thing is that caring people stepped forth to help without being asked. They are:

Henry and Susie Liu: $1,500 Peter Wong: $1,500
Dongwei Zhu & Weihe Guan: $1,500
Kelvin Chen: $1,000 S. B. Woo: $1,000

We need everyone's help, in large or small amount. Please send
your check payable to 80-20 PAC, Inc. to my home
S. B. Woo, 5 Farm House Rd., Newark, DE 19711
Or use a credit card. Go to
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/payment.asp (easy to use)
or http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership/join.asp (Paypal)

Respectfully yours,

S. B. Woo
Member, Executive Committee, 80-20 PAC, Inc. &
Founding President of 80-20 Initiative.

Monday, January 21, 2008

* Victory Now & For FUTURE GENERATIONS

* Contents of this newsletter have been removed in accordance with 80-20's agreement with the Obama campaign, after Sen. Obama replied to 80-20's questionnaire with all Yeses.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

* Feedback: We'll Fight This Historic Battle

* Contents of this newsletter have been removed in accordance with 80-20's agreement with the Obama campaign, after Sen. Obama replied to 80-20's questionnaire with all Yeses.

Friday, January 18, 2008

* A Historic Fight Begins In California

* Contents of this newsletter have been removed in accordance with 80-20's agreement with the Obama campaign, after Sen. Obama replied to 80-20's questionnaire with all Yeses.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

* Fantastic Reaction to "Letter to Sen. Obama"

* Contents of this newsletter have been removed in accordance with 80-20's agreement with the Obama campaign, after Sen. Obama replied to 80-20's questionnaire with all Yeses.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

* An Open Letter to Sen. Obama

* Contents of this newsletter have been removed in accordance with 80-20's agreement with the Obama campaign, after Sen. Obama replied to 80-20's questionnaire with all Yeses.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Important Reminder - CA Voter Registration Deadline

Important Reminder -
California Residents must register to Vote by January 15, 2008
By Joel Wong, 80-20 Board Member and California Resident

Asian Americans residing in California will play a VERY IMPORTANT ROLE and will exert a HUGE INFLUENCE on the rest of the country in the upcoming President Primary Election. This is because of the large percentage of Asian Americans residing in California and the early (February 5, 2008) Presidential Primary. 80-20 is reminding all Californians to register to vote by the January 15, 2008 deadline. We are also encouraging you to vote according to the guidelines of the 80-20 initiative.

If you have not already registered to vote please following the following guideline ASAP but no later than January 15, 2008.REGISTRATION DEADLINE:For The Next California Statewide Election (February 5, 2008) the Registration Deadline is January 22, 2008. A postmark on the 15th day prior to the election (January 22, 2008) is acceptable.

If you register between 29 and 15 days prior to the election you will be sent a sample ballot. Otherwise you will receive a post card giving your polling place location.


COST TO REGISTER
Voter registration is free. No postage is required to mail the voter registration application form to the County Elections Official (more information below).

REQUIREMENTS
You must:
* Be a United States citizen
* Be 18 years of age on or before the day of the election
* Be a resident of the State of California
* Not be in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony
* Not judicially determined to be incompetent to vote.

You do not need to know how to read or write in English or any other language. No tests are given when you register to vote. Probationers may vote.

HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE
a) Fill out a Voter Registration Form Online
http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm. Complete the on-line form and a typed registration form will be sent to you. After you receive the pre-typed form, just sign it and mail it to your county election official.

Once you receive your form in the mail, which takes approximately 7 to 14 days, you must sign, date, and return it by mail to the county elections official on the return address side of the voter registration card. Please make sure all of the information is correct and drop it back in the mail.

OR

b) Download and Mail a Voter Registration Form http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm.

Remember to sign it and MAIL it DIRECTLY to your COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm.
* You can call a toll-free number and request that a form be mailed to you - in English (1-800-345-VOTE) or in Spanish (1-800-345-VOTA).* You can also pick up a form at Post Offices, public libraries, city halls or Department of Motor Vehicles offices.

YOUR RESIDENCE This statute refers to your "domicile" - the place where your family lives, where you physically reside, the place you intend to return to whenever you are gone from it, the address on your driver's license, where you claim your homeowner's property tax exemption or renter's tax credit. You can have only one domicile, even if you have more than one house or residence.

POLITICAL PARTIESA political party is a group of people who try to determine public policy and operate government by getting their candidates elected to office. Currently the following are your choices:

* American Independent Party
* Democratic Party
* Green Party
* Libertarian Party
* Natural Law Party
* Peace and Freedom
* Republican Party
* Independent - "Decline to State"

DECLINESCalifornia presently has a "Modified Closed Primary System". Unaffiliated ("decline to state") voters may, if they wish, choose to vote for one party's candidates. The American Independent Party and the California Democratic Party, and the California Republican Party have agreed to let unaffiliated voters vote for their candidates. The Democratic Party and the Republican Party will not permit unaffiliated voters to vote for their county central committees. Please also note that the Republican Party will not let unaffiliated voters select a Presidential Candidate.

ABSENTEE BALLOTAn absentee ballot is a paper ballot, with the same candidates and measures on it as you would receive at your polling place on Election Day. The ballot is mailed to you with instructions on how to mark it and how to return it.

You must request an absentee ballot for each election unless you have permanent absentee voter status. You may request an absentee ballot in writing on the form provided by your County Elections Official.

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE
For additional assistance with voter registration, please contact the Secretary of State's office at any of the following toll-free numbers:

# English: 1-800-345-VOTE
# Spanish: 1-800-232-VOTA
# Chinese: 1-800-339-2857
# Vietnamese: 1-800-339-8163
# Japanese: 1-800-339-2865
# Tagalog: 1-800-339-2957
# Korean: 1-866-575-1558

Monday, January 07, 2008

* Are the Promises Really Iron-Clad?

* Contents of this newsletter have been removed in accordance with 80-20's agreement with the Obama campaign, after Sen. Obama replied to 80-20's questionnaire with all Yeses.