A program of Americans for the Arts, the Arts Action Fund is at the forefront of advancing the arts in America. They are the only national arts advocacy organization dedicating 100% of their time, money, and political clout to advancing the arts in America.

Californians for the Arts is an arts advocacy organization that increases public awareness of the importance of the arts, ensures that the arts are an ongoing part of the public dialogue, and encourages Californians to care about the arts as a critical component of their own lives and the lives of their communities.

genARTS Silicon Valley empowers creative individuals and emerging arts leaders through professional development, advocacy, and networking opportunities.

Through a year–long training program, MALI develops local multicultural arts practitioners by giving them the technical skills, philosophical underpinnings, and networking opportunities necessary to grow and sustain their individual work, organizations, and arts sector in Silicon Valley.

The Office of Cultural Affairs is the City of San José’s lead agency for supporting the development of a rich arts and cultural environment for this diverse city’s one million residents and its many visitors.

As part of our mission to build public will and support for arts and culture, San José Arts Advocates is excited to provide you with these resources to help activate your arts vote in the November 3 election.

We encourage you to share this information with your family, your colleagues, and your coworkers. And most importantly, we urge you to VOTE.

Please note that SJAA does not (currently) endorse or advocate for candidates or ballot measures. Our aim is to educate the local creative community on the policies and issues that impact their lives and wellbeing. How you vote and who you vote for is entirely up to you.

Register

The first and most important step in voting is getting registered.

Not sure if you’re registered? Visit the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, where you can:

Check your registration

Learn about the deadlines

Register to vote right now

You can also register at any Vote Center when you cast a ballot.

Educate

Get the FACTS before you VOTE!

Voter’s Edge is a joint project of Maplight and the League of Women Voters to provide a comprehensive, unbiased, nonpartisan online guide to elections at the federal, state, and local level. You can use Voter’s Edge to:

• Learn what’s on your ballot based on your address
• Get in-depth information on candidates, ballot measures, who supports them, and who’s spending money for and against them
• Read objective explanations and watch quick informational videos
• Find out where, when, and how to vote, including local polling locations and vote centers
• Keep track of your choices and save them for Election Day

Visit Voter’s Edge to educate yourself today!

You can also download an Easy Voter Guide from the League of Women Voters – available in five languages.

San José City Council Runoff Elections

District 4

David Cohen (Challenger)

Lan Diep (Incumbent)

Watch the SJAA Candidate Forum

District 6

Dev Davis (Incumbent)

Jake Tonkel (Challenger)

Watch the SJAA Candidate Forum

More information

Read all of the candidate statements

Don’t know if you live in one of these districts?

Learn more about San José elections

City of San José Ballot Measures

Measure G: Charter Amendments – Independent Police Auditor Oversight, Planning Commission Representation & Redistricting Commission Timeline

Measure H: Cardroom Tax & Expansion

Read about all Santa Clara County ballot measures

Learn more about statewide propositions

City of San José Campaign Finances

Want to know more about who’s contributing to city council candidates, how they’re spending the money, and how much is being spent by outside groups like PACs, business groups, and labor unions?

Visit the city’s public campaign finance portal, and stay tuned for tools from our friends at Code for San José to help you sort through the numbers!

Mobilize

Do you have a PLAN to VOTE?

Beginning Oct. 5, every voter in California was sent a ballot in the mail at the address where they’re registered. In order to make sure your vote counts, we encourage you to complete your ballot and return it as soon as possible.

You can postmark it all the way up to Election Day on November 3rd, but why wait? Plus, you get to wear a cool sticker!

Three easy ways to return your completed ballot:

1. Mail it and track it
2. Drop it off at a convenient location in your neighborhood
3. Find one of 100 Vote Centers opening Oct. 31

Take the ArtsVote Pledge today!

Americans for the Arts Action Fund has launched the ArtsVote campaign to educate and encourage all artists and arts advocates to make their vote count on November 3rd by taking action early. Take the ArtsVote pledge to receive exclusive access to original images created by renowned contemporary artist Shepard Fairey. You can also take this pledge from Californians for the Arts and learn more about voting in the Golden State.