Courage Campaign Releases "March 2009 Progressive Voter Guide"

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 28, 2009

LOS ANGELES – Providing progressive activists the information they need to vote on March 3, the Courage Campaign Issues Committee is distributing its “March 2009 Los Angeles Progressive Voter Guide,” an online guide designed to help voters understand the five measures on the March 3, 2009 Los Angeles City Election ballot. The California online advocacy group, now numbering nearly 700,000 members, also annouced its endorsements of Measures A, B, C and D.

“A strong democracy requires an informed, engaged electorate,” said Rick Jacobs, founder and chair for the Courage Campaign Issues Committee. “This election is about the future of Los Angeles and it’s our job as progressives to give voters the information they need. This voter guide is just one way we are using technology to empower progressive grassroots and netroots activists to persuade their friends and neighbors.”

The Courage Campaign’s 2009 Progressive Voter Guide contains short, easy-to-read, recommendations, a handy chart of recommendations from numerous leading progressive organizations like the L.A. County Democratic Party, L.A. County Labor Federation, Sierra Club and Young Progressive Majority California. The Voter Guide is downloadable in a printer-friendly format that can easily be taken into the polling place and sent to friends.

The Courage Campaign’s endorsements on the five Los Angeles city ballot measures are:

Measure A — Fire Department Assessor: Yes
Measure B — Solar power: Yes
Measure C — Disabled children benefits: Yes
Measure D — Survivor benefits: Yes
Measure E — Corporate tax giveaways: No

The Courage Campaign’s 2009 Progressive Voter Guide can be downloaded at:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/LAVoterGuide

Jacobs said the Voter Guide is one way the Courage Campaign is working to keep progressives in California connected. Last November’s ballot was one of the most crowded in California’s history with 12 initiatives. While much of the focus was on Propositions 4 and 8, there were eight other measures for Californians to consider.

To help cut through the clutter, the Courage Campaign Issues Committee distributed the first Progressive Voter Guide. Both during and after the 2008 election cycle, the Courage Campaign held a series of “Courage Campaign Conversations” where notable progressive leaders and authors join Courage Campaign members for a no-holds-barred dialogue.

“Last November ushered in a new era in popular democracy,” added Jacobs. “After decades of decline, voters showed up in record numbers to vote and take control of their future. The movement that elected President Obama can only succeed if we continue our work at the local level to keep progessives active, informed and connected.”