California Justice Committee Fights Electorally for More Humane and Cost-Effective Penal System
Election Day is November 6th
There are two separate prison reform initiatives on the ballot in November. One is the SAFE California Act (Prop. 34), which calls for repealing the death penalty, and replacing it with life in prison without the possibility of parole. The other is the Three Strikes Reform Act (Prop. 36), which seeks to amend one of California's most controversial laws so that life sentences for a third offense would be limited to serious or violent felonies. Those who are already in for life would have their sentences reduced if the third conviction was not serious or violent.
Ernest "Big Ern" Shepard was released in 2011 after serving 45 years – starting on Death Row – in the California penitentiary system. He is one of many former prisoners who have been rehabilitated and are now dedicated to the betterment of society. In the video below, Big Ern shares his thoughts and feelings on incarceration and capital punishment:
Ernest "Big Ern" Shepard was released in 2011 after serving 45 years – starting on Death Row – in the California penitentiary system. He is one of many former prisoners who have been rehabilitated and are now dedicated to the betterment of society. In the video below, Big Ern shares his thoughts and feelings on incarceration and capital punishment:
Federal Judge Rules Deadline to Qualify for Ballot Must be Extended After California Justice Committee Sues Bowen
DAVID SAPP
On May 22nd, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting California Secretary of State Debra Bowen from enforcing a January deadline by which new political parties had been required to meet onerous qualification requirements to place candidates on California’s November presidential ballot. Bowen or the legislature will therefore have to set a new deadline closer to the November general election.
“Today’s decision recognizes that a state cannot freeze the political playing field ten months before an election,” said David Sapp, staff attorney for the ACLU of Southern California. “This is an important victory vindicating the foundational principle of our democracy that individuals can join together and compete on equal terms in the political arena.”
Political groups cannot place their candidates on California’s ballot unless they are formally recognized by the State as political parties. Since California first enacted the early party-qualification deadline in 1953, only seven new political parties have met the qualification standards, and only one new party has done so since 1995.
All minor parties will benefit from our victory, and the People of California may now be offered real alternatives, without which democracy can't thrive.
“Today’s decision recognizes that a state cannot freeze the political playing field ten months before an election,” said David Sapp, staff attorney for the ACLU of Southern California. “This is an important victory vindicating the foundational principle of our democracy that individuals can join together and compete on equal terms in the political arena.”
Political groups cannot place their candidates on California’s ballot unless they are formally recognized by the State as political parties. Since California first enacted the early party-qualification deadline in 1953, only seven new political parties have met the qualification standards, and only one new party has done so since 1995.
All minor parties will benefit from our victory, and the People of California may now be offered real alternatives, without which democracy can't thrive.
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