Reminder: October 19th is the deadline to register to vote in Alameda County. For more information, see the link at https://www.acvote.org/index.

All eligible voters will be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot beginning October 5th for the November 3rd general election and you can track your ballot using the using the “voter profile” link at https://www.acgov.org/rovmvp_app/mvp.do.

Registered voters should be receiving their voter pamplets shortly. Castro Valley Matters intends this continuing California Propositions-2020 blog series to help readers focus on key information around the 12 propositions so that they may vote as early as possible.

Next up, Proposition 14, Stem Cell Research which seeks continued State funding of stem cell research.

Prop	Name	Brief Description
14	Stem Cell Research	Have California continue funding stem cell research by borrowing up to $5.5 billion.

According to CalMatters.org, “Prop. 14 would generate the money to keep open the state’s own stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and expand its research capacity. That would include dedicating $1.5 billion for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, epilepsy, and other brain and central nervous system diseases. The rest of the money would go for other research, medical training, building new research facilities and expanding treatment access.

The state would sell investors bonds worth $5.5 billion, and taxpayers would then pay back that money, with interest, over the next 30 years. Estimated cost: $7.8 billion.”

California continues to lead the way on vital stem cell research. See the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) grants page for a list of research grantees.

What a “Yes” Vote Means	What a “No” Vote Means
A “Yes” vote on Proposition 14 means California will continue to support current and expanded stem cell research administered by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) by selling investors bonds worth $5.5 billion.	A “No” vote on Proposition 14 means California will no longer support stem cell research administered by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

The following people and organizations have either endorsed Proposition 14 and urge you to vote “Yes” or are opposed to Proposition 14 and want you to vote “No”.

Wants You to Vote “Yes”	Wants You to Vote “No”
University of California Board of Regents The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research The Latino Cancer Institute Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California Gov. Gavin Newsom California Institute for Regenerate Medicine Board of Directors	Jeff Sheehy, board member of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Need to know more? Check out these useful links to find more details on this proposition.