<font color='black' size='2' face='Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif'><font size="2">Specific legislation? Yeah, almost all of it. The military-corporate stranglehold has grown more and more oppressive and we need to band together to fight it with everything we've got, not turn away help because their political party is different. We are allies here.<br>
</font>
<div> <br>
</div>
<div> <br>
</div>
<div> <br>
</div>
<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Nicole Castor <nmcastorsilva@gmail.com><br>
To: GPCA-SGA-Vote discussion <gpca-votes@sfgreens.org><br>
Sent: Tue, Mar 27, 2018 1:03 pm<br>
Subject: Re: [GPCA-SGA-Votes] Discussion On Items ID 144, 146, 148, 150, 151, 152 & 155: Endorsing Non-Green Candidates For Statewide Office<br>
<br>
<div id="AOLMsgPart_1.2_6d4d6a06-bce3-4696-b0fa-540bf3b2e4a7">
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<div>
<div dir="auto">Is there a specific piece or f legislation which we are working on passing along with other parties right now? </div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">If not, what does endorsing candidates have to do with Proportional Representation at this moment when we decide on this proposal?</div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">Are we endorsing a legislative proposal or are we proposing to change our bylaws to reflect a policy which is not immediately and directly related to Proportional Representation?</div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">Seems like an appeal to emotion and linking of closely-related concepts to give the impression there is a direct causal relationship between endorsing non-Greens and getting Proportional Representation implemented through legislative process and there IS NOT. I vote NO.</div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">-N</div>
<br>
<div class="aolmail_gmail_quote">
<div>On Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 12:48 PM Eric Brooks <<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:brookse32@hotmail.com">brookse32@hotmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="aolmail_gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div lang="EN-US">
<div class="aolmail_m_-6289259263545706217WordSection1">
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Proportional Representation is a key reason for this Bylaws change because in building much closer solidarity and interaction with Peace & Freedom and others,
we will be building a much better organized network of groups and activists to win reforms like proportional representation. Right now our relationships with those other parties is too ad hoc and arm’s length.<br>
<br>
<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Eric Brooks<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">SF, CA<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> gpca-votes [mailto:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes-bounces@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes-bounces@sfgreens.org</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Nicole Castor<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 27, 2018 11:00 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> GPCA-SGA-Vote discussion <<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a>></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div lang="EN-US">
<div class="aolmail_m_-6289259263545706217WordSection1">
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [GPCA-SGA-Votes] Discussion On Items ID 144, 146, 148, 150, 151, 152 & 155: Endorsing Non-Green Candidates For Statewide Office<u></u><u></u></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div lang="EN-US">
<div class="aolmail_m_-6289259263545706217WordSection1">
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">It makes absolutely no sense to use a platform issue like proportional representation to sell this proposal. <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div lang="EN-US">
<div class="aolmail_m_-6289259263545706217WordSection1">
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">If there were a specific case of getting legislation passed at a certain time- it would make sense to form a coalition with other parties to pass specific legislation by rallying all voters who agree with it to petition for it and vote
for it. Endorsing a specific candidate for a specific office is in no way related to this because such an election would have no direct effect on specific legislation like proportional representation. <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Instead, it sounds more like a mission statement from Movement for a People’s Party. It sounds good in theory but essentially ends up turning into a “Melting Pot” of ideology where each distinct party involved loses its identity in the
process. This is why in regards to race relations, “Multi-Culturalism,” or “Cultural Pluralism is better than “Melting Pot” because of respect to diversity and differences.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sites.google.com/site/edthpdiversity/cultural-pluralism">https://sites.google.com/site/edthpdiversity/cultural-pluralism</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://drcharlestaylor.com/PluralismMeltingPot.pdf">http://drcharlestaylor.com/PluralismMeltingPot.pdf</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">As Greens, we are free to join coalitions and do so when an issue arises which we agree on. We don’t have to forfeit our unique party identity in the process.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Asking an official state political party to endorse outside of the party takes away significance of our distinction from other parties. <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">If we want special circumstances, we should propose that specifically instead of making it our policy and writing it in our bylaws. I’ve mentioned more than once on these threads that this is the way PFP does it and it’s a good example
of what we could propose.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">There is a time for solidarity over issues, and a way to achieve this which is not at the expense of losing our identity as a distinct political party. For this reason, I’m voting NO on this proposal.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">-N<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">On Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 9:44 AM Thomas Leavitt <<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:thomleavitt@gmail.com">thomleavitt@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Erik,<u></u><u></u></div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">The Green Party was not created, and its ballot lines do not exist, to provide a political vehicle for a pan-Leftist movement for electoral reform (or anything else). It exists to provide a specific and coherent political alternative to
conventional "left/right" politics, rejecting both capitalism and state ownership of the means of production in favor of voluntarist mutualism, rejecting violence and coercion in all forms other than self-defense, both fascism and the<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">violent overthrow of the apparatus of the state; the differences are myriad. On a practical political basis there are very clear and distinct differences historically, both domestically, and internationally (sometimes manifesting itself
in unfortunate alliances elsewhere, in my opinion) between Green and conventional "left" politics. <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">I ran for City Council jointly campaigning with a doctrinaire Trotskyist who considers the Peace and Freedom Party to be bourgeois sellouts (let alone the Green Party). </span>We can work on
a tactical level, with conventional leftists, particularly in a corporate capitalist context where ideological differences are immaterial in the face of organized state violence via predatory crony capitalism, but we lose our justification for existence if
we erase all the distinctions that make us unique.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Further, Green politics is distinguished by the fact that there is one single national Green Party (the remnants of the GPUSA aside), not dozens upon dozens of ideological splinter groups (as you illustrate) that have historically displayed
a remarkable inability to work together and have gained near zero traction with the general American public, and that combined represent a fraction of the membership and electoral representation and voter registration of the Green Party nationally.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">As a narrow tactic, occasionally endorsing non-corporate non-Greens makes sense, even as a state party, but we need to be careful not to blur the distinctions between our movement and party, and those of our tactical allies on the statist
left, and to not make it even easier to walk away from the Green Party in pursuit of political ambition than it already is. The statist left parties certainly aren't going to abandon their own ideological distinctions in pursuit of alliances.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">On a purely pragmatic basis, I have a hard time seeing the Green Party, nationally, buying into this rainbow coalition of statist and non-statist left parties on the Green Party ballot line approach, and I particularly have a hard time
envisioning the fractious and ideologically riven and factionalized American statist left doing so.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Regards,<u></u><u></u></div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Thomas Leavitt<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">On Tue, Mar 27, 2018, 3:40 AM Erik <<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:erikrydberg34@gmail.com">erikrydberg34@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">We are Eco-Socialist. Read the GPUS Platform. <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">The 10 Key Values came out of the Green Committees of Correspondence. The GCC was made up of Anarchists and Socialists. There is plenty of room for both. <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Coalitions are the only way we grow. What many people have yet to grasp is that the Green Party is the inevitable vehicle for installing Proportional Representation. Every 3rd Party needs us because we are the only ones with the structure
to run in every state. We need to open up our doors to the anti-corporate, anti-capitalist left... once we install Proportional Representation those that aren’t “Green Enough” will be free to build their own third party and we can all work in Coalition in
a true multiparty system(Proportional Representation)<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">For those of us within GPCA who operate on a sectarian “I’m better than you.” arrogance... it’s not a good look for us. You want to bash Capitalist Liberal Democrats? I’m with you 100%. Turning our noses up a Peace and Freedom, Socialist
Alternative, Progressive Independent Party, African People’s Socialist Party, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Movement for a People’s Party or Corporate Free Independents is a bad move. <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">If we don’t create a Independent 3rd Party Primary System to bring all these parties together someone else will. That is the biggest threat. Opening our doors isn’t the danger... closing them is. <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">On Mon, Mar 26, 2018 at 9:13 PM Ann Menasche <<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:aemenasche@gmail.com">aemenasche@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">We are actually eco- socialist as of our last Conventuon.<br>
<br>
Sent from my iPhone<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>
On Mar 26, 2018, at 3:21 PM, Thomas Leavitt <<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:thomleavitt@gmail.com">thomleavitt@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">I find it very dubious that anyone not wanting to run as a Green, who is currently choosing to run as a Dem, or any organization choosing to support such a person, would somehow run as an NPP or a P&F instead (or support an NPP or P&F candidate),
in the hope of picking up the Green Party endorsement.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Progressives are running as Democrats for simple reasons of political pragmatism. Running as a Democrat gains you much easier access to a broad variety of non-Democratic Party / progressive endorsements (such as those from labor), AND gives
you access to a broad array of progressive resources that are party-affiliated and reserved, by bylaw, to Democratic Party candidates (bylaws that are bypassed in only the most exceptional situations, and only in non-partisan races). The value of a Green Party
endorsement in no way outweighs that, and by the time it even begins to approach being that valuable, we are unlikely to be endorsing non-Greens, simply because the quality of candidates we attract will be so high.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Socialists run as Peace and Freedom Party candidates, and Socialist Alternative, etc., BECAUSE THEY ARE SOCIALISTS. The Green Party specifically IS NOT A SOCIALIST PARTY. It never has been. We are anti-capitalist, anti-authoritarian left
anarchists, ideologically opposed to conventional Marxist/Leninist statist approaches. We are never going to attract conventional socialist / marxist candidates to run under our banner, because our core principles and historical positioning are incompatible
with conventional statist left ideology. We have an "image problem", because of genuine ideological differences.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Regards,<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Thomas Leavitt<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">On Mon, Mar 26, 2018 at 2:35 PM, Steve Breedlove <<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:srbreedlove@gmail.com">srbreedlove@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></div>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Linda and Jane. The idea is to form alliances. Greens have an image problem and I know a lot of movers and shakers who are choosing independent or Socialist Alternative or other. The idea is that to break the two party dictatorship we have
to form alliances. It is a great symbolic act to endorse a P&F etc. I would rather endorse a qualified candidate in another left party than some of the candidate that run as Greens, whether based on actual policy or on perception of viability. <u></u><u></u></div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">I think the concern that people won't run green is unfounded. People already don't wanna run green which is why many progressive candidates are running Dem with support of more moderate progressive groups like justice dems abd Our Rev and
brand new congress.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">On Mar 26, 2018 2:12 PM, "Jane Jarlsberg" <<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:jjarlsberg@gmail.com">jjarlsberg@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></div>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">I agree with </span>
<span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222;background:white">Linda Piera-Avila, and no one asked me to write my opinion either!! i have my own mind on these issues, but sometimes someone else is better able to articulate my
thoughts for me!! peace, Jane Jarlsberg</span><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">On Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 10:58 PM, Linda Piera-Avila <<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:lindap_a@verizon.net">lindap_a@verizon.net</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></div>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">If a candidate is supportive of our values and doesn’t take corporate donations, that candidate should run as a Green! We will dilute the incentive we have to offer potential recruits if 155 passes. It’s hard enough to vet people who ARE
in the Green Party before endorsing them, this will make it even harder if they are not even in our party and this could leave us open to those who would co-opt our ballot line either for their own selfish purposes or worse, to discredit the Green Party. We
are a small party - we need to retain our sense as a distinct political party and not give away the store and possibly lose ourselves in the process. <u></u><u></u></div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Linda Piera-Avila<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Santa Monica<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">PS No one asked me to write this. I am very concerned about this proposal on my own! <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div id="aolmail_m_-6289259263545706217m_-5074374056576931342m_-6286221554890837808m_-4102165454028630950m_-3559836888029125200m_2568403785595744784m_6559242077259554615AppleMailSignature">
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Sent from my iPhone<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>
On Mar 25, 2018, at 3:11 PM, Eric Brooks <<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:brookse32@hotmail.com">brookse32@hotmail.com</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Hi all,<br>
<br>
In response to Michael Feinstein’s previous emails stating the opinion that items 144, 146, 148, 150, 151, and 152 are not correctly on our SGA ballot, Michael’s statements are incorrect.<br>
<br>
Because Item 155 (see below) would enable us to endorse non-Green candidates for statewide office, as long as they do not take corporate donations and are supportive to the Green Party’s values and platform, items 144 through 152 all are properly on our SGA
ballot and votes for those candidates will be counted if item 155 passes.<br>
<br>
I hope this clears up any confusion.<br>
<br>
Eric Brooks<br>
SGA Vote Administrator</span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> gpca-votes [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes-bounces@sfgreens.org">mailto:gpca-votes-bounces@sfgreens.org</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>GPCA Votes<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, February 15, 2018 12:44 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [GPCA-SGA-Votes] Discuss ID 155: Endorsement Policy Amendment: GPCA Endorsements for General Election Candidates</span><u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal" style="background:white">
<b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222">Please send your discussion comments to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org"><span style="color:#1155cc">gpca-</span></a><a href="mailto:votes@sfgreens.org">votes@sfgreens.org</a></span></b><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal" style="background:white">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222"> </span><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal" style="background:white">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222">Discussion has begun for the following GPCA SGA ranked choice vote:</span><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Ranked Choice Vote ID #155<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Ranked Choice Vote
<b>Endorsement Policy Amendment: GPCA Endorsements for General Election Candidates</b><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Ranked Choice Vote Administrators: Victoria Ashley, Brian Good, Laura Wells, Eric Brooks, Mike Goldbeck<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Discussion 02/12/2018 - 03/25/2018<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Voting 03/26/2018 - 04/01/2018<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Voting ends at Midnight Pacific Time<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><b>Background</b> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">The Green Party of California is currently prohibited from endorsing candidates who have good Green values and who take no corporate money: the GPCA needs visibility, in a positive
way, and putting our name on endorsement lists of good candidates is one way to get the Green Party name in the public eye. The GPCA wants to help voters vote for good candidates, even in races where we have no candidate. For instance, the Peace and Freedom
Party can and does endorse Green Party candidates in state and federal races, but the GPCA is prohibited from endorsing Peace and Freedom candidates. The GPCA currently cannot endorse candidates with No Party Preference or any other voter registration, even
when we have no candidate running in the race. The GPCA cannot help voters differentiate between good candidates who are aligned with Green values and take no corporate money and bad candidates (who may speak well) from the two-party system. The current
endorsement policy is confusing: county parties are not prohibited from endorsing candidates who are not Green, but the state party is; in addition, it precludes a possible endorsement even in the face of grassroots interest. The current endorsement policy
was promulgated in the pre-Top-Two era, and, if left unreformed, will further hobble party-building efforts in California.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Changing the endorsement policy would advance the party’s attempts to implement Proportional Representation so that we can have a multi-party system and not a two-party system.
By expanding our endorsement options, we will demonstrate that we will work in coalitions and will endorse candidates who have green values, but who choose other political party affiliations. As it stands, people who want to “throw their hat in the ring”
and yet who have no track record with the Green Party or allied organizations are able to register Green and use our ballot line, and get an automatic advantage in the endorsement process, even though they may not be the best candidate. Moreover, given that
there are many public perceptions over which Greens have very little control, such as being marginalized or cast as “spoilers” or “third-party” candidates who “can’t win,” the endorsement area is one we can control. We can avoid marginalizing ourselves as
people who are only interested in the label “Green Party,” not the green values that we share with millions of ordinary folks in the nation and certainly in California. <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Furthermore, it is common advice in social media, for example (and even in life), that if you want likes, followers and friends, you’ve got to like, follow and friend others, as
long as you stay true to your values. We need to reciprocate and be proactive, not sit back and wait for everyone to switch to “team Green Party,” while we display an unwelcoming attitude. People want a new party, but our current restrictive endorsement procedures
make us look as if we do not want to be an “umbrella party” or “big tent” for all people who are aligned with our values and stances. It looks like we want to remain a small, exclusive “third” party with a narrow “sectarian” view of how change happens.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Accordingly, we recommend the following changes to the GPCA Endorsement Policy.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><b>Proposal</b><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">That the current GPCA Endorsement Policy be amended as follows:<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">That the policy be amended from its current text:<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">GPCA CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT POLICY FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS (approved by the GPCA General Assembly, June 25, 2006, 43-6-2)<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">2. The GPCA shall not make any endorsements of General Election candidates who are not Green Party members.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">To read as follow:<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">GPCA CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT POLICY FOR ELECTIONS<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">2. The GPCA shall not make endorsements of candidates who accept corporate campaign contributions or who belong to any political party that accepts corporate campaign contributions.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Sponsors: This proposal has been endorsed and sponsored by the Green Party of Yolo County.<u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">Full details will be available at: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.sjcgreens.org/sga_vote_bylaw_interpretations">http://www.sjcgreens.org/sga_vote_bylaw_interpretations</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><b>Please send your discussion comments to
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a></b><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><span style="color:#888888">-- <br>
gpca-votes mailing list<br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a><br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes">https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes</a><u></u><u></u></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>
--<br>
gpca-votes mailing list<br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a><br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes">https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">--<br>
gpca-votes mailing list<br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a><br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes">https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>
--<br>
gpca-votes mailing list<br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a><br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes">https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">-- <br>
gpca-votes mailing list<br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a><br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes">https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">--<br>
gpca-votes mailing list<br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a><br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes">https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">-- <u></u><u></u></div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="color:lime;background:white">Erik Rydberg
</span></u></i></b><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="color:lime;background:white">Green Party of California(GPCA) Spokesperson</span></u></i></b><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="color:lime;background:white"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:erikrydberg34@gmail.com">erikrydberg34@gmail.com</a><br>
530-781-2903</span></u></i></b><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><img id="aolmail_m_-6289259263545706217_x0000_i1025" src="https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0BwoNOQ4fkz_VOXJOSHI4UTUxU0k&revid=0BwoNOQ4fkz_VR0pMejQ3S0c4OWg0Nk9Pc2ZqSEhJNzZDbzZ3PQ" width="186" height="40" border="0"><br>
<i> <b> </b></i><span style="color:lime"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://cagreens.org">cagreens.org</a></span><u></u><u></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">--<br>
gpca-votes mailing list<br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a><br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes">https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes<br>
</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal">--<br>
gpca-votes mailing list<br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a><br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes">https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes</a><u></u><u></u></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
--<br>
gpca-votes mailing list<br>
<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gpca-votes@sfgreens.org">gpca-votes@sfgreens.org</a><br>
<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes">https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes</a><br>
</blockquote></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
--
gpca-votes mailing list
gpca-<a href="mailto:votes@sfgreens.org">votes@sfgreens.org</a>
<a href="https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes" target="_blank">https://list.sfgreens.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpca-votes</a>
</div>
</font>