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The Guardsman Guide to Propositions in San Francisco By Juliana Parente parente.juliana@gmail.com

an Francisco is a complex city, and the 2024 election ballot reflects that complexity: voters are tasked with deciding on 15 propositions covering issues like business taxes, reproductive rights, funding for healthcare facilities, and school building improvements. Of the 296 pages in the Voter Information Pamphlet (the brochure sent to registered voters), 222 are dedicated to Local Ballot Measures. “I believe the proposition system encourages more people to participate in political decisions. The problem is the biased information that some inattentive voters rely on,” said Omar Aguilar, an ESL student at City College. Melina Markarian, a photography student at City College, shares a similar opinion. “I appreciate having a direct say on local matters, and people forget how much those decisions impact our lives compared to federal ones.” While there’s no limit to the number of propositions that can be added to the ballot, restrictions apply to the qualification process. For initiatives, supporters have 180 days to gather signatures from 5% of the number of voters who participated in the last governor’s election – just over 546,600 signatures, according to the California Secretary of State’s Statement of Vote. Propositions K, L, M, N and O on the upcoming ballot followed this process. Other types of proportions include legislative measures to amend the California Constitution or change a previous proposition. Bond measures, which approve long-term, low-interest debt, also require propositions. Additionally, voters can overturn legislative decisions through a protest referendum. Propositions and the Rule of Law “In general, political scientists who study

California’s proposition system believe it undermines democracy because it’s misleading,” said Sarah Hill, an associate professor of political science at Cal State Fullerton. The proposition system originated in the 1900s as part of a political movement to give voters more power over businesses, which were seen as corrupt and buying political influence. However, according to Professor Hill, the system doesn’t solve the problem. “You need millions of dollars to gather signatures in 180 days, and this work can’t be done by volunteers. After that, you need even more money to campaign for the proposition. This isn’t something done by the people for the people, but a tool of special interest groups and wealthy individuals to push their agendas onto the ballot,” she said. How could the system be changed? Ironically, it would require a proposition to amend the California Constitution Illustration by Cindy Chan/The Guardsman. and end the current system. In the meantime, Professor Hill offers A Look Back in History advice for making informed decisions about California’s system, which allows members the 15 propositions facing San Francisco vot- of the public to propose measures for the balers this year. “First, investigate who is behind lot, has been in place since 1911. According each proposition and their motivations. Check to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which endorsements from groups you trust, and reviews the Governor’s annual budget, more don’t rely solely on the materials you receive than 1,700 initiatives have been submitted over by mail. If you read the fine print, there’s no the last century, with about one-fifth qualifyguarantee that their claim is accurate.” ing for the ballot.

Through Rick Rocamora’s Lens: A Story of Art, Advocacy, and Social Justice By Juliana Parente parente.juliana@gmail.com

earning a new skill often leads artists to seek inspiration from well-established partners. For any aspiring documentary photographer, words of encouragement from the legendary African American photographer Gordon Parks would be a dream come true. “I met Gordon Parks in Washington D.C. and showed him some of my photos. He said they were good and encouraged me to continue,” recalled Filipino award-winning photographer Rick Rocamora. That encounter was a turning point. At the time, photography was only a hobby to Rocamora – something he dabbled with a single-lens reflex (SLR) a friend had given him. But from that moment, a life seen and experienced through the lens of a camera started to take shape. The choice required boldness. Rocamora would eventually leave behind a six-figure annual income, business-class trips, and many perks of his successful A book by Rick Rocamora, “America’s Second-Class Veterans”. Photo by Bob Kinoshita/The Guardsman. career as a salesman in the pharmaceutical industry. Rick Rocamora continued on page 5

The San Francisco Public Library offers an archive with the full text of San Francisco ballot propositions dating back to 1907. It also provides links to digitized PDF versions of election pamphlets, complete with summaries, results, and descriptions of each proposition. Propositions continued on page 3

ASCO Presents Paint a Tote Event at Ram Plaza By Joan Walsh jwalsh14@mail.ccsf.edu

he Ram Plazaon the Ocean campus was filled with colorful designs as the Paint a Tote event took place on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The event, which ran for two hours in the morning, was put on by the Associated Students Council Ocean (ASCO), which provided free tote bags, paint, brushes, Tote event continued on page 5

Nick Winstead paints a colorful tote on October 21 2024. Photo by Joan Walsh/The Guardsman.

Former City College Parking Lot Turned into Housing

November Event Calendar

The Rams Lose Home Opener in OT

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