Election 2020

- California Catholic Conference Positions on 2020 Propositions
  
  Proposition 14: OPPOSE
  
  Issues $5.5 billion in bonds for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), a state program created in 2004 to fund stem cell research projects, including research involving embryonic stem cells. Proposition 14 also makes changes to the governance structure and programs of the CIRM, including increased efforts and new positions to improve patient access to stem cell treatments.
  
  A YES vote on Proposition 14 means the state could sell $5.5 billion in general obligation bonds to fund CIRM operations and additional grants.
  
  A NO vote on Proposition 14 means the state could not sell such bonds.
  
  The California Catholic Conference strongly recommends a NO vote based on moral and ethical objections to using human embryonic stem cells as the raw material for experimentation and inadequate financial accountability and oversight of taxpayer funds. MORE BACKGROUND
  
  PROPOSITION 20: OPPOSE
  
  Makes changes to policies related to criminal sentencing charges, prison release, and DNA collection by repealing Prop 47 (2014) and Prop 57 (2016), both supported by the California Bishops. This proposition amends state law to (1) increase penalties for certain theft-related crimes, (2) change the existing nonviolent offender release consideration process, (3) change community supervision practices, and (4) require DNA collection from adults convicted of certain misdemeanors.
  
  In the past decade, California voters and lawmakers have enacted more than a dozen bills or ballot initiatives that have prioritized local public safety programs over long prison sentences. These changes have helped the state comply with the federal lawsuit on prison conditions and reduced the prison population by more than 40,000 people while crime rates have remained historically low. The criminal justice reforms have fueled a policy shift reallocating resources toward rehabilitative programs to prepare people in prison to return to the community and expanded trauma recovery services to help crime victims heal.
  
  Proposition 20 would repeal this progress and emphasize a more punitive rather than restorative justice system in California.
  
  A YES vote on Proposition 20 means the aforementioned changes to state law would be enacted.
  
  A NO vote on Proposition 20 means existing law would remain unchanged.
  
  The California Catholic Conference strongly recommends a NO vote. Recent reform such as Propositions 47 and 57 have fueled a successful policy shift reallocating resources toward rehabilitation in the state's criminal justice system. Prop 20 attempts to overturn that progress. MORE BACKGROUND
  
  INFORMATION and ANALYSIS OF ALL THE CALIFORNIA PROPOSITIONS by the CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
  
  MORE ON CATHOLIC POSITIONS ON VOTING AT FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP
  
  JOIN the California CATHOLIC LEGISLATIVE NETWORK
- USCCB Election Priorities
  
  Priorities at the Polls
  
  By the Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann
  Archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas and Chair of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
  
  As Catholics approach the polls, we are asked to weigh many important issues. The U.S. bishops have reaffirmed that “the threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed.”[1] While they did warn us not to “dismiss or ignore other serious threats to human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty, and the death penalty,” they did give priority to upholding and defending our brothers’ and sisters’ most basic right—to live. Read More.
  
  USCCB Political Responsibility Guidelines
  
  Parishes and other IRS-designated section 501(c)(3) church organizations are prohibited from participating in political campaign activity. Thus, certain political activities that are entirely appropriate for individuals may not be undertaken by church organizations or their representatives. The USCCB Office of General Counsel (202-541-3300) provides detailed guidance on what is allowed and not allowed under the law. In addition, many dioceses and state Catholic conferences provide resources that apply and summarize these guidelines for use by parishes and other church organizations. Read More.
  
  Faithful Citizenship
  The U.S. bishops' document Faithful Citizenship remains the bishops' guidance on voting.
  Read the document and see videos on Faithful Citizenship here