California Propositions – 2020 – Proposition 16
- By : Carey Sanchez Para
- Category : 2020 Propositions, State of California
- Tags: 2020 Propositions; Proposition 16
As with other election years, many online, radio and tv ads around ballot propositions aim to mislead rather than educate votes. In lieu of all meeting together to discuss the 12 Propositions facing us this November, Castro Valley Matters hopes our efforts in this continuing California Propositions-2020 blog series can help our members and readers distill fact from advertising claims.
All eligible voters will be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot beginning October 5th for the November 3rd general election. October 19th is the deadline to register to vote in Alameda County. For more information, see the link at https://www.acvote.org/index. Ballots can be tracked using the “voter profile” link at https://www.acgov.org/rovmvp_app/mvp.do.
Next up, Proposition 16, an effort to restore affirmative action.
| Prop | Name | Brief Description |
| 16 | California Schools and Local Repeal Proposition 209 Affirmative Action Amendment | Repeals Proposition 209 (1996), which says that the state cannot discriminate or grant preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, or contracting |
Proposition 16 would lift the ban on allowing California public agencies, schools, colleges and universities to consider race, gender, and ethnicity as factors in hiring, contracting and admissions.
Allowing such considerations does not equate to a mandate. Latinos comprise about 50% of public education students and only 25% of University of California undergrads. On average, women are paid 82 cents per dollar of pay compared to men, with women of color earning even less (62 cents for Black women and 54 cents for Latinas).
This legislation is one step to help level the playing field for underrepresented groups in public hiring, contracting and admissions. However, Prop 16 would not create racial quotas in university admissions as the U. S. Supreme Court banned such quotas back in 1978.
Castro Valley Matters endorses a YES vote on Prop 16.
| What a “Yes” Vote Means | What a “No” Vote Means |
| A “Yes” vote on Proposition 16 means allowing public agencies to consider race, gender and ethnicity in hiring, contracting, and university admissions. | A “No” vote on Proposition 16 means keeping the ban on affirmative action. |
The following people and organizations have either endorsed Proposition 16 and urge you to vote “Yes” or are opposed to Proposition 16 and want you to vote “No”.
| Wants You to Vote “Yes” | Wants You to Vote “No” |
| California Community Colleges and the California State University Gov. Gavin Newsom University of California Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce | Californians for Equal Rights Chinese American Civic Action Alliance Students for Fair Admissions California Republican Party |
Need to know more? CalMatters.org is a terrific resource. Use the links below to find more details on this proposition.
