But of course, tuesday, march 3 is officially and that is sometimes i believe intentionally that message our primary election day. Damian so, because in the past, is put out there, that no election day was the big day for people like yourself, what you do, it doesnt make that much of a difference. And now youre saying its a month before, the day of, were trying to flip that narrative, and a month after. I they are really taking strids were trying to flip to take back their power. One is with more options of how to vote, not just vote by mail or on election day, but early voting. And i really hope that as election day arrives, right, Santa Clara County is joining the list of counties implementing the voters choice act. I mean, people already have their ballots. And as secretary padilla mentioned, so, voters in Santa Clara County will have the option of voting you know, we have vote centers. I had a bill to prioritize vote centers on college campuses, anywhere they choose over the course of 11 days, trying to get the young people engaged. Including election day. But we have vote centers throughout our community, you could wait till the last day, vote early, and i really hope the latinos are heard and that they show up vote on the weekend, or vote by mail. And of course, the month after the election, thats how long it takes us to finish counting and because it does matter, it does matter in their representation. Verifying ballots, conducting postelection audits,ion audit, and those, theyre actually in a fight for things that matter before we announce the final official results. To their families. O this ne, so its aits a big task for the biggest state in the nation. 2020. Whats in the hopper for the rest of 2020 in sacramento . Damian who makes these changes . Is it your office or is it the individual registrars ash you know, there are a lot ss that were focusing on. In the counties that say, we want to do you know, being here in silicon valley, we want to vote this way this year . Obviously we have a lot of wealth, alex well, the voters choice act but we also have the most stark income inequality in the nation. Has been an option for counties. In 2018, theres 5 counties that made the transition. So, im focusing on issues that really try to uplift families and workers, really trying to make it easier for workers to be and we had records statewide turnout in 2018. The five counties that implemented able to have retaliation claims. The voters choice act all had even higher turnout. Theres a lot of retaliations retaliation against workers, so, we know its easier for the county, but its better particularly immigrants. Givs for voters too because of the additional options. Who build housing, they must pay prevailing wage. This year, theres 15 counties doing it this way, against, most people on those job sites are latino. And that covers more than half the voters in the state. They deserve a living wage that they can actually feed so, we make it easier to register, their families with. Easier to cast your ballot, keep things safe and secure, and we also have environmental bills as well to protect, you know, against tropical deforestation, kind of leading the nation in strengthening our democracy. Which affects indigenous communities throughout damian because i got my ballot in the mail. And instead of going to my usual polling place, the world, to try to show that were all connected, and the actions that we take part of impact others you can go to any number of places that are certified by as much as they impact us. The registrar, i guess, and drop off your ballot or vote there. Damian and youre a chair of a Labor Committee . Ash thats right. Alex right, thats one of the questions that weve been getting under this new elections model. So, im the chair of the state Assembly Labor and employment committee. Again, san mateo county, Santa Clara County and so, definitely focusing on a lot of issues in the bay area are the two counties that are doing this. To empower our workers. For voters there, yeah, the pog it sometimes feels really difficult for workers to get going to for years and years may or may not be there. A voice, whether theyre in the restaurant industry, hotel workers, even teachers and nurses. But if you stop and look at what the additional options are, you want to make sure that were doing everything we can you know, before you only had that one location, to empower the workers when were creating so much wealth. That was your polling place, election day only. And yet the wealth is not going to those that are doing now, you can go to any of the hundreds of locations the labor. In the county convenient to you over the course of 11 days, and we want towe want to change that and empower the workers in the state of california. Damian the assembly is run by democrats. Not just one day if you didnt vote by mail to begin with, which is growing in popularity. The state senate is run by democrats. So, were accommodating more userfriendliness, the governor is a democrat. Most statewide elected officials are democrats. If you will, for elections. Damian when we talk about we usually get 26 voter turnout how important is it tofor you to hear a diverse voice, maybe hear from the assemblyman, assemblywoman from fresno on nonpresident ial elections, thats got to be depressing for somebody like you whos out there trying to pump up voters, or the Central Valley who are not democrats . Make sure that whoever they vote for or whatever they vote ash yeah, and i get along well, and im always willing to work with our republican colleagues. For that they just go out there and vote. Alex i constantly reference my high school the reality is that even within the Democratic Party, government teacher, right . Just kind of recalling the lessons, including, there are a lot of different stripes and flavors there. You know, our democracy works best when so, its not like were all monolithic, right . As many eligible people participating, right . Depending on where we represent and what our values are, what our, you know, ideology is. If theres 1 making the decisions for everybody,l d. And so, i would say that with californias so, how can we move towards everybody participating . So, making it easier to register on paper, online, with california having democrats in this majority position, we have the biggest surplus our state has ever seen, automatic registration at dmv, the success of the biggest investment in education that the state our preregistration program, and now sameday registration has ever seen. Were providing healthcare to more people than we ever have, at every polling place, every vote center in california, including our immigrant community, that makes the registration part easier and giving voters expanding coverage to undocumented immigrants up more options of when, where, and how to vote. You know, i think its paying off. And so, i bring that up because there are certain values in 2014, when i was elected secretary of state, dismal turnout. The Democratic Party has that im proud to say california 2016, much better, it was a president ial election year. Pushes forward, on the environment, on you know, even 2018 was great. Fighting back against the Trump Administration it was near president ial numbers. On their attacksn and now 2020, im predicting not just record registration, if the republicans want to join in us holding those but record turnout, so lets keep building on this california values, im more than happy to work with them, going forward. Damian the latino numbers, how do they look . But we have to remember that especially right now, alex latino numbers on the registration side are way up. California holds a very special role in the world, we know that the population numbers go up, registration numbers are going up, not just in this country, in showing what america is and i expect to see that when it comes to participation as well. And can be about. Damian youre called the spend, spend party, the democrats are. Like if were not paying attention, if were not motivated right now, how are you able to have a surplus then . I dont know what its going to take. Ash well, wewell, look, if we didnt have a surplus, damian right. Now, what happened in iowa . They would say, well, youre being irresponsible. Were you shaking your head like the rest of us and what you dont have a surplus. We know the economy is going down. How can you assure us that the same thing wont happen here in california . The response, the fiscally responsible thing to do is have a surplus because thats what a family does, right . Alex yeah, i was shaking my head. No disrespect to iowa, but because they knew the calls were going to start, you know, how do we make sure that what happened and so, yet in california, we have a surplus getting ready in iowa doesnt happen here . So, i think theres a few important things to remember. For the next downturn while the federal government is number one, what happened in iowa was a caucus, spending trillions and trillions and has a deficit closing in not an election, two very different processes. On a trillion dollars. Second, a caucus in iowa is run by a political party, right . And so, theyre the fiscally irresponsible pay, elections in california are overseen by elections in our roads, in our healthcare, in our education,n dollars. Administrators at the county level and overseen by the state. Third, what happened in iowa was there was a breakdown in an app and ensure that at the same time while were doing that,o. That they developed for reporting of results. Damian does anything worry you about where were headed at this point . We dont use apps in california, not to cast ballots, ash well, housing, housing is a huge issue here. Not to count ballots, not to report results. We have to do more. Rehe urgency is here. And the other thing i think to remember is that the iowa that wn do have solutions, we have locations for housing, Democratic Party has been reminding people were going back to the paper record of the results of each caucus site for you know, the homeless, transitional housing, the same logic that we require paper ballots in california. Lets accept it into our neighborhoods. The unhoused neighbors are our neighbors. Damian you need a paper trail. And you know, would we rather have them by a creek or alex paper ballots and a voter verified paper trail. Damian all right. Well, if you want more information, again, under an overpass, or in secure, supportive housing, the election day is on march 3 all across the state. There is the phone number and web address where we can get them the help they need in a loving way . For the secretary of States Office in sacramento. And so, we can bring the resources, we can have certain entitlements to build housing. We need our neighbors and our community to rally around us to make sure that we see it happen. Damian all right, well, thank you for briefing our viewers on whats happening in sacramento. Well be back with the honorable alex padilla, stay with us. Putting term limits on congress, about assemblyman ash kalra, again representing washington insiders went crazy. The 27th Assembly District in california. They said term limits are bad, and theres the web address for more information. That theyll break government. Whats next for you . We have about 15 seconds. What a joke ash whats next . Congress is working fine for politicians and corporations, reelection in the state assembly on the ballot in march as well. But its not doing anything for real people i look forward to continuing to represent the city in san jose, on climate, health care or gun safety. The city in whicgrmian also pick up a copy of El Observador newspaper the only way we get new ideas is electing new people, and support your bilingual weeklies all across the bay area. Thank you for watching, well see you again next week. Including a president willing to shakeup washington. Buenos dias. Im tom steyer and i approve this message. Its timcan it helpltimate sleep nukeep me asleep . He sleep number 360 smart bed. Absolutely, it senses your movements and automatically adjusts to keep you both comfortable. The secretary of state of california. Save 50 on the sleep number 360 limited Edition Smart bed. What can you tell us about the russians . Im sure theyre trying to tap into what were doing here. Plus 0 interest for 36 months. Ends monday. Alex you know, i put it in this context. When i was first running for secretary 6 years ago, 99 of the questions i got was, how can you get more people registered to vote . And were doing plenty of that. How can you get more people to vote . And were doing plenty of that. But it wasnt until the 2016 election cycle that these questions about Cyber Security or foreign interference in our elections have really been under the spotlight. Damian you started from ground zero then when it comes to topics like that. Alex right, so thankfully, you know, theres policies that have been in place in california that have served us well since even before, you know, the russians in 2016. The voting systems that we use in california to vote have to be tested and certified first. And we have the high Security Standards of any state in the nation when it comes to our voting systems. We prohibit internet connectivity. So, the machines that we use to maybe mark a ballot, or cast a ballot, or count ballots ca to the internet, so we make it impossible to systematically hack or rig the elections. Im sara gore, and this is open house. This week, were inside a unique art deco influenced property in west soho. We require paper ballots, we talked about that in th and we visit westport, connecticut to check out and even then, after every election, this impressive estate with unobstructed views of the Long Island Sound from virtually every room. Every county has to conduct a postelection audit we explore a sleek, modern aesthetic in this greenwich so, that has served us well for many, many years. Village townhome. Plus, we check out this architectural gem and the alpine paradise of aspen. Making sure that all the systems in california everywhere, but first, we rock out in this los not just here in the bay area,r feliz home designed as an homage to an english country estate. More secure pieces of equipment. Cyber Security Training going on every day, it feels like youre staying at a bed and breakfast in the english Countryside Partnerships now not just between the county and the without ever getting on a plane. State, but you know, i never thought id have a department [theme music] of Homeland Security and the fbi on my speed dial, but thats, you know, the age that were living in when it comes to elections. Damian so, theyre trying, im sure. Today, im coming to you from this spectacular townhome alex theyre trying on a daily basis. And the more we learn about the types of efforts and the more we secure against their efforts, they just continue both in frequency and sophistication. So, it takes all of us to be vigilant. I feel pretty confident on our elections infrastructurdebut ty about more is the bad information, not just but especially on social media, right . cause all it takes is, you know, one fake, you know, to question the integrity of the process, right . , but they should have the confidence that,unt so, we encourage people if you have any questions, any concerns about elections, you know, dont just read anything you see online. Ask your county Elections Department or your secretary of States Office. Damian and i always tell i always tell people check the source. If youre tweeting something, find out what the source is of that information youre tweeting because that can lead to a lot of damaging alex right, and weve tried to simplify it this year. We have a lot of tools from register to vote, verifying your registration status, how to vote for president. Its a president ial primary, early voting opportunities. We have all those tools now at one place at vote. Ca. Gov. Damian and your advice is probably vote early and get it over with so that youre not stressing out on march 3. You know, if you want to wait till the last minute, you can, thats your prerogative. But if you want to minimize your chances of having to wait in line, yes, vote early. You can haveyou can vote early, you can vote by mail,o. Damian all right, let me get a little personal with you if you dont mind. You had the option to run for congress down in southern california. You decided to stick with what youre doing. Tell us, mustve been a tough decision. Tell us about that decision and why you love what youre doing now. Alex yeah, there was an opportunity to run for congress. You know, went through what does it mean for the family, like any good decision that i make in life. You know, politically wouldve been good, or you know, what wouldve been better. One of the biggest factors in my decision, to be honest, was this election cycle, right . Weve talked a lot about the threats to the integrity of our election. Or regardless of what you think of the current occupant of the white house, this could be the most consequential and so, i just sort of envisioned where am i going to be this september, october, going into november election day . Am i going to be campaigning . cause you know, can achieve another political office. Or do i need to keep my eye on the ball to making sure the elections are run smoothly and securely . So, ive decided to stay and fulfill this job for this cycle, and hope that other opportunities will present themselves in the future. Damian when you put your head down on your pillow at the end of the night, how satisfied do you feel that youre doing the work of the people . And its important work that needs to be done. Alex yeah, im blessed. You know, ive been in Public Service now for a little bit more than 20 years. Ive served on the Los Angeles City council, ive served in the state legislature, and now as secretary of state. About sleep well at night causethe sleeping giant, and its waking up, and were talking about latino the latino voting bloc. What do you se alex so, i see a co t first by numbers, and then by, you know, by motivation, by animo. By the numbers, all the policies that we put in place to make it easy to register, easier to vote, thats benefiting all californians, but clearly its disproportionately helping people who have been eligible but unregistered. Or registered, but eh, they dont vote every time. They voted only every once in a while. And unfortunately, latinos have lagged in both registration and participation rates. So, the more we increase registration and turnout rates, i think the more inclusive our democracy, our electorate is of latino voices and other important voices. But i think were also living in a very unique time. A, and we had this proposition 187 on the ballot. Through an antilatino, antiimmigrant time period. You dont hear that coming at least locally or from the state capital in california anymore. But to think here we are in the year 2020 still hearing this rhetoric, but now at a National Political level. Realize from 2016 that elections dont just have results,and to they have consequences, you know, i dont know what itll take to wake us up. But i do see that attention, that energy everywhere that i go in the state. So, lets just translate that to the primary, the general, and in between to the 2020 census. Damian all right, thank you for the work that you do. Alex padilla, secretary of state. More information on elections, there is the main web address for the secretary of States Office and the phone number at that office in sacramento. Up next on comunidad del valle, the honorable ash kalra, stay with us. With the honorable ash kalra representing the 27th Assembly District on the show before, ash. Hink yon i dont know what youve been avoiding us or i dont know what ash kalra i enjoy watching it, just been waiting to get on. Damian so, i mean, ive known you since talk about your ascension, and did you ever imagine that youd be wearing that pin on your ash i absolutely did not imagine id be an elected official, let alone a state assembly member. And the proof i give to people when i say i didnt plan on being elected official is i was public defender for 11 years. Thats not exactly a common path. But it really helped me to get grounded in my community and my neighborhoods, where when i was able to run for city council, i think that resonated. And now, here i am in the state assembly continuing to do the work of the community in which i grew up. Damian i want to see a softball game between prosecutors and public defenders. I dont know if ill ever see that, but talk about why yho and be ash we actually used to have, i mean, a softball league. Damian is that right . Ash theyre probably still doing it, but its damian who would win . Ash we go back and forth, we go back and forth. But you know, i went to law school, i grew up here in san jose. Went to oak grove high school, south san jose. Went on to de anza, uc santa barbara, law school at georgetown. And by the time i graduated law school, i said, i want to do service in my community, the community in which traditionally disempowero bringe especially remember this is the late 90s. Were talking about really a tough on crime, war on drugs, three strikes. We at that time, california had become the incarceration capital of the world. And i felt that it was wrong, i felt that what we were doing in neighborhoods, particularly africanamerican, latino neighborhoods, we were targeting them. And instead of actually healing our community to create true public safety, we were locking people up. And so, i wanted to represent those and really stand behind them, represent the constitution, and say, you have just as right as anyone else to haveat and it was very difficult times to do that. Still not easy, but its gotten better. Or do you find that the same lues that you had then, damian and now are you able to do the same thing, youre implementing them now . Ash im so happy i think to feel that i still represent my community and do my Public Service with the same values. Now, its hard, and it gets harder when youre trying to implement things statewide, but weve done statewide legislation that has really focused on rehabilitation and reforming our criminal Justice System so that we keep young latinos, africanamericans from going down that path. Instead of a school to prison pipeline, we have a school to jobs, or school to College Pipeline that were focusing on. And so, i still can bring those values of why i became a public defender to the work i do now representing san jose in the legislature. Damian thats a good vision. You have Police Officers and those who are crime fighters on the other side who would say, you know, a lot of these youth, they know theyre not going to get in trouble, theyre not going to serve any time, so theyre not afraid to offend and reoffend. Is it a balancing act, or how do you address Something Like that . Ash well, its a balancing act, but it cant just be, oh, were just going to focus on one aspect of it, the incarceration aspect. We have to focus on the school, on the preschool, on after school. We have to focus on rehabilitation programs, on counseling, having Mental Health professionals in our schools. So, instead of using our criminal Justice System to deal with different aspects of theou behavioral issues as Public Health issues, as education issues, not as criminal justice issues. Damian good point. So, i see your posts on social media. And ill text you once and a while and say, is this your fourth event of the day . Youll say, no, its my sixth. I mean, youre everywhere. Talk about why you need to be at this neighborhood meeting, in that neighborhood meeting, and then across town and across the valley and across the state. Ash i think its so important to represent the community, to be with the community. And theres definitely a risk, especially the higher up you go on politics, of getting caught up in the bright lights. When you go on to the floor of the state capital, you showed some images of that, i mean, its glamorous. You know, you can really get caught up in that. I try to spend my time in the community, with my community here, throughout the sta working class folks, learning about the issues that theyre actually dealing with so that i Stay Grounded and can actually put forth legislation that helps lift up the entire community. Damian but that is an awesome feeling, though, isnt it walking those halls and those floors there. Ash it is. I mean, every day. Just last week, i posted an Instagram Video of being on the floor. And its an awesome feeling, but its also an awesome responsibility, and we have especially here in san joseth, with the diversity we have with Latino Community, the vietnamese community, being in the community events, but listening to concerns at the ground level, it really gives me a lot of empowerment when i go back to the state assembly and represent the people, not the moneyed interests. Damien we have about one minute in this segment, but you said you were in iowa for the caucuses, and you saw something about latinos that inspired you over there. Ash thats right. I went to one particular caucus site, it was about 185 people. Id say about 178, 179 of them were latino. And they were there, young. You had families with their toddlers and babies. You had elderly people in their wheelchairs waiting. They werent going anywhere until their voice was heard. And i really got inspiration on that, and i hope that the people here in california, especially Latino Community that all too often gets ignored, is ready to show up, and vote, and be counted, and be present. Damian latinos in iowa. Ash there are latinos in iowa. Damian all right, well, its assemblyman ash kalra, he represents the 27th Assembly District. There is his web address. Well be back with the honorable ash kalra, stay with us. Im truly amazed at the effect thathank you, bob ple