Versión en español a continuación.

 Updated on March 24, 2021, at 12:13 PM

Get out to vote on April 6!

Did you know that many residents in San Diego County are voting again on April 6? There will be a Special Election for Assembly District 79. We just went through a very important Presidential election, and a year full of talk about voting by mail and the importance of having your voice heard at the ballot box. We saw the importance of access to early voting and how just a few votes can cause huge changes at the federal, state, and local levels.

We must keep building our culture of voting as we head towards another important election for San Diegans.

Why are we having the Special Election on April 6?

On January 29, 2021, Shirley Weber became the first African American to serve as Secretary of State of California. Governor Newsom appointed her to fill the vacancy left by former California Secretary of State, Alex Padilla. Secretary Weber had been the assembly member representing District 79 since 2012. The vacancy she left in District 79 prompted the special primary election on April 6, 2021. A special general election will follow on June 8, 2021.

How do I learn more about the candidates?

EHC, along with our allies at Engage San Diego, hosted a candidate’s forum on Facebook live. Four of the candidates participated. Click below to watch a recording of the forum and hear from these candidates about COVID recovery, climate justice, and other social justice matters.

Fast forward to minute 38:00 to learn what programs or methods the candidates would like to see California use as we continue a path towards climate justice and combatting climate change.

Do I live in the District?

Bonita, La Mesa, or Lemon Grove are entirely in the 79^th district. If you live there, then you do live in the District and should vote. The District also includes some areas of Chula Vista, National City, and the City of San Diego so you may want to click on the link below to find out whether you will be voting.

Find Out If You’re Voting

Other Important Information

Vote Safely by mail on or before April 6!

Important Deadlines!

Actualizado el 24 de marzo de 2021, a las 12:13 PM 

¡Vote el 6 de Abril!

 ¿Sabía que muchos residentes del Condado de San Diego van a votar de nuevo el 6 de abril? Habrá una elección especial para el Distrito 79 de la Asamblea. Acabamos de pasar una elección presidencial muy importante y un año en el que hubo mucho que hablar acerca del voto por correo y la importancia de hacer escuchar su voz en las urnas. Nos dimos cuenta de la importancia de votar temprano y los grandes cambios que unos cuantos votos pueden lograr a nivel federal, estatal y local.

Nosotros debemos seguir fortaleciendo nuestra cultura del voto conforme se aproxima otra importante elección para los Sandieguinos.

¿Por qué tendremos la Elección Especial el 6 de abril?

El 29 de enero de 2021, la Dra. Shirley Weber se convirtió en la primera afroamericana en ocupar el cargo de Secretaria de Estado de California. El gobernador Newsom la nombro para tomó la posición vacante por el anterior Secretario de Estado de California, Alex Padilla. Secretaria Weber fue asambleísta en representación del distrito 79 desde el 2012. Esta vacante motivó esta elección primaria especial del 6 de abril, 2021 que será seguida por una elección especial general el 8 de junio, 2021.

¿Cómo aprendo más acerca de los candidatos(as)?

EHC junto con nuestros aliados en Engage San Diego, organizó un foro de candidatos en Facebook en vivo. Participaron cuatro de los candidatos. Haga clic a continuación para ver una grabación del foro y escuchar a estos candidatos discutir sobre la recuperación de COVID, la justicia climática y otros asuntos de justicia social.

Avance hasta el minuto 38:00 para saber qué programas o métodos les gustaría que California usara a los candidatos mientras continuamos el camino hacia la justicia climática y la lucha contra el cambio climático.

¿Vivo en el distrito?

Si Usted vive en Bonita, La Mesa o en Lemon Grove, entonces usted vive en el distrito y debe votar. El distrito también incluye algunas áreas de Chula Vista, National City y de la ciudad de San Diego por lo que le recomendamos que consulte este mapa para verificar si va a votar.

¿Averigüe si está votando?

Otra información importante

¡Vote de manera segura por correo a más tardar el 6 de abril!

¡Fechas Importantes!

JOIN US: Census 2020 Virtual Town Halls

Have you completed the 2020 Census? Data gathered every 10 years by the Census is used to distribute $800+ billion annually in federal funding to support healthcare, economic security, parks and schools, and much more!

In these uncertain times, it is even more critical that our communities are not left behind because they were not counted.

If you need support or answers to your Census questions, please join our Census 2020 Virtual Town Halls on June 11 or June 18. The events are being broadcast via Zoom and Facebook Live in both Spanish and English.

RSVP on Facebook:

• Spanish Census Town Hall – June 11, 2020 (4-5 PM)
• English Census Town Hall – June 18, 2020 (4-5 PM)

Facebook Live broadcasts will be streamed on the EHC Facebook Page

RSVP on Zoom:

• Spanish Census Town Hall – June 11, 2020 (4-5 PM)
• English Census Town Hall – June 18, 2020 (4-5 PM)

We will discuss how to fill out the census survey in different ways, including remotely. Our panel of Census experts will provide updates on self-response rates in hard-to-count communities. They will share ways you can help get others counted and answer many frequently asked questions including:

• What is my 12-digit Census ID?
• What do I do if I do not have a Census ID?
• Can I do the Census online?
• Should I enter everyone in my house? Even the kids?

Did you know that children under five are the most undercounted age group in the census? This lack of data has a direct impact on classroom sizes, school lunches, access to schoolbooks, and much more. In fact, each person not counted in the Census costs $2,000 every year in essential government services our families and communities need and deserve.

Join us on June 11 or June 18 to learn how you can complete the 2020 Census safely and easily.

For more information, please contact Jorge Gonzalez:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JOIN US: Census 2020 Virtual Town Halls - June 11 and June 18

Have you received a letter in the mail asking you to complete the 2020 Census?

If so, please complete the Census right away! It only takes 5 -10 minutes. Each person not counted costs your community $2,000 each year in government services such as improved transportation, better parks and schools, healthcare and other services your community deserves. These services are more important now than ever.

Start now by opening the envelope from the Census Bureau to locate your unique Census ID number. Got it? Here are three ways you can complete the Census:

1. ONLINE: You can now complete your census online and for the first time, the Census form will be available in 13 languages, including Spanish and Vietnamese.
   
   
2. BY PHONE: The Census can also be completed in 13 languages over the phone. Simply call 1-844-330-2020 and follow the instructions.
   
   
3. BY MAIL: Request a paper form in English or Spanish that can be mailed back to the U.S. Census Bureau.

NOTE: You will be asked for your Census ID # when submitting your census in any of these three ways.

No Census ID? No Problem. Call the Census Hotline to request a form or complete the census over the phone using your address:

English 844-330-2020 or Spanish 844-468-2020

CENSUS 2020 RESOURCES

EHC is working with Count Me 2020 to encourage everyone to participate in Census 2020 and bring vital resources to our communities. Learn more by watching this video:

 
Take our pledge to complete the 2020 Census:

If you have any questions about Census 2020, you can always contact EHC by emailing Jorge Gonzalez at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors controls a $6 billion budget and makes critical decisions about health, housing, air quality, and toxic pollution in our communities. In 2020, residents of Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, National City and the rest of San Diego County District 1 will be electing a new supervisor for the first time in almost a quarter of a century.

On May 31, 2019, EHC partnered with ACCE, Engage San Diego and the Invest in San Diego Families Coalition to host a public forum and hear from the declared supervisor candidates on how they would address critical issues facing communities in District 1.

Watch the full Facebook Live video recording of the Candidate's Forum:

The following declared candidates were in attendance at the forum:

• Sophia Rodriguez
• Nora Vargas
• Raphael Castellanos

Ben Hueso, the only other declared candidate on May 31, was unable to attend the forum due to his current commitments as State Senator, which required him to be in Sacramento. He sent a short video clip in which he outlined some of the key elements of his campaign.

Based on the over 150 residents packing the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in National City last Wednesday, it’s clear EHC members and residents of District 1 want their voices heard in holding this office accountable. A group of community members had the opportunity to ask the attending candidates to respond to the following questions:

AIR POLLUTION: Philomena Marino
District 1 contains the region’s hot spots for diesel and particulate pollution. It includes the world’s busiest border crossing, the Otay truck crossing, the 905 and 5 freight corridors, the Port cargo terminals, heavy industry at the waterfront, and smaller industries. It includes the communities that rank highest in the region on CalEnviroScreeen, the state’s tool for identification of the most impacted communities.

Q. What will you do to improve air quality for the residents and workers in District 1?

COUNTY BUDGET AND RESERVE: Tammy Jackson
The County of San Diego controls a budget of over $6 Billion, and they have budget reserves of over 50% of their annual revenue, which is almost $2 billion dollars.

Q. If elected would you spend the reserves and if so, how would you prioritize those expenditures?

HEALTH: Maria Teresa Goodman
District 1 corresponds closely to the County’s HHS South region. The South region has numerous health challenges, with higher rates of several important conditions. Such examples as higher rates of Coronary Heart Disease and stroke hospitalization, higher rates of Diabetes hospitalizations, and higher rates of pulmonary disease.

Q. What will you do to reduce the environmental, economic, and social justice factors that contribute to this disparity in health outcomes?

HOUSING: Barbara Pinto
The most recent homeless count in the county is over 8100 individuals.

Q. With the housing crisis getting worse, what are some of your policy ideas to protect and preserve existing housing, and to produce new housing?

 CLIMATE JUSTICE: Roddy Jerome
District 1 represents communities most impacted by climate change.

Q. What specific changes would you make to the County’s Climate Action Plan to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Within your answer please say what role should the County have in advancing mass public transit?

COUNTY SERVICES: Enrique Zapata

The county has underinvested in staff in key areas such as social workers, behavioral health, eligibility workers, public health nurses and many others.

Q. What you would do to assure proper services are provided in these areas and other county departments?

Finally, the candidates were asked a series of rapid-fire questions with the options to choose yes, no, or give a 15-second explanation.

(Click image above to view the questions in a PDF document)

Photos and videos from the Candidate Forum:

Justice for our communities begins with your voice. When we vote we are united, and when we are united we are powerful.

Remember to vote on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Use our voter guide below to vote for environmental justice and advance the policies that will build #healthyhoods for our families.

• For all voters: Vote NO on Proposition 70
  Preserve funding for affordable housing and better transportation in our communities.
  
  
• For National City voters: Vote NO on B
  Don't repeal voter-approved term limits for the Mayor of National City.
  
  
• For National City voters: Vote YES on C
  Retain voter-approved term limits for the Mayor of National City and create term limits for the National City Council. 

For more information on statewide ballot measures, please click here.

To learn more about EHC's civic engagement work, please click here or contact Jorge Gonzalez at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

As District 8 City Councilmember David Alvarez completes his two terms, voters will have the opportunity to choose a new champion for our community.

At EHC’s first-ever candidate forum, community members packed the Sherman Heights Community Center to meet Antonio Martinez, Vivian Moreno and Christian Ramirez, the City Council candidates for District 8. District 8 includes Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Logan Heights and more, and is one of EHC's core neighborhoods.

For two hours, our leaders asked each candidate important questions about how they intend to make our communities healthy and safe places to live, work and play. Together we discussed the Barrio Logan community plan update, access to affordable transportation as well as safe places to walk and bike, equity in the City's climate action plan, the increase in temporary homeless shelters, protecting families from displacement and policies that would mediate community air pollution and route trucks out of our neighborhoods. 

• Panchito, Barrio Logan leader: In order for change in underserved communities to be sustained over time, we need to maintain a pipeline of leadership in all sectors that will continue to champion the causes of our community. How will you create an environment in District 8 that encourages and/or prepares youth to be the leaders of tomorrow focused on building better communities?
  
  
• Silvia, Sherman Heights leader: The issue of affordable housing, homelessness and how to provide supportive services to homeless individuals is directly impacting many residents of District 8. How will you address this community concern?
  
  
• Philomena, Barrio Logan leader: Residents in District 8 deal with many burdens due to close proximity to both the Port of San Diego and the Naval Base. One of these is the impact of limited parking in the community due to shipyard and Navy workers parking throughout the community due to lack of designated parking at their workplaces. . What would you do to solve this ongoing issue?
  
  
• Roddy, City Heights leader: The City of San Diego passed a Climate Action Plan in 2015 with a strong requirement for social equity that EHC members fought hard for. What would you do to prioritize Climate Justice in the implementation of this plan?
  
  
• Maria, Barrio Logan leader: Land use and zoning that allows industries to locate next to homes results in health and safety issues If elected what would be your strategy and plan to address this issue?

Toward the end of the two-hour event, candidates were given the rapid-fire questions on the chart below and the options to choose yes, no or give a 15-second explanation. Candidate initials were marked in the columns for their chosen answers.

Each of the candidates said yes to:

• Meeting with the EHC Community Action Teams in Sherman Heights and Barrio Logan within 90 days of assuming office and attending at least two meetings each per year after that
• Supporting the 2013 community-developed Barrio Logan community plan update
• Supporting the Children’s Right to Lead-Safe Housing Ordinance Amendment to make housing lead safe at the point of sale
• Hiring a climate justice staffer to support the City climate action plan
• Supporting the Barrio Logan clean air and safe streets ordinance to set strictly enforced truck routes
• Opposing the expansion of the 94 freeway
• Supporting a free youth transit pass policy in San Diego
• Standing against community threats from Border Patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Supporting community members when they say they need a street light or a stop sign
• Fighting for better bus and transit stops that include shelter and shade for people waiting
• Opposing the continuation of temporary homeless shelters being disproportionately placed in District 8
• Advocating for better retention practices in the San Diego Police Department
• Supporting a joint-use park at Perkins Elementary School

Throughout the evening, community members shared their thoughts and takeaways on Twitter. 

Thank you to each candidate, to our moderator and Barrio Logan College Institute CEO Jose Cruz and our fearless community leaders and volunteers who made this evening possible.

Don’t forget to use your voice and vote for our next community champion on June 5. If you have any questions about how to vote, contact Jorge Gonzalez at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 619-474-0220 x 122.

With our vote, we are powerful.

One of the most powerful votes we can cast is for our San Diego City Council member. Our City Council directs how our cities run, including the policies that shape healthy and safe neighborhoods for our families.

In District 8, which includes Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, San Ysidro and more, we have the opportunity to choose a new community champion.

On Thursday, March 15, EHC proudly hosts a public forum at the Sherman Heights Community Center (2258 Island Ave, San Diego, 92102) for City Council’s District 8 candidates. Join us at 5:30 p.m. to ask Antonio Martinez, Vivian Moreno and Christian Ramirez about how they plan to address important issues in our communities.

The District 8 Candidates Forum will be moderated by Jose Cruz, the chief executive officer of Barrio Logan College Institute, and light refreshments will be provided.

If you plan to attend the event or participate in the Facebook live stream, please RSVP on Facebook.

By: Giuliana Schroeder – Individual Giving Director

Recently I sat down with Franco Garcia, EHC’s associate director of organizing, to talk about civic engagement and what it means for our communities.

Franco, why is civic engagement in our communities important?

Historically, low-income families of color are unlikely to vote. When we vote, we can positively impact election results. When we don’t vote, we give up the opportunity to create a safer and healthier environment for our families.

How many people in our communities vote?

The chart below shows that 60 percent of California is made up of communities of color, yet only 35 percent of us vote. To ensure the policies that will build #healthyhoods win, we have to change this picture.

What does EHC hope to accomplish with its civic engagement work in 2018?

Ultimately, we want voting to represent the community voice. We want to empower our residents to go to the polls so we can ensure the policies that pass reflect our needs and what we know will build #healthyhoods.

EHC has a track record of impacting elections and the culture of voting. Every investment in EHC enables us to provide resources to empower the most marginalized communities to find their voice and use it at the polls.

To learn more about our civic engagement efforts or to get involved, please contact Franco at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..