November 7, 2000 marked a watershed year in voting rights.  With all eyes of the nation on one state’s electoral process, America woke up to the grim reality that our democracy was in a fragile state and chipped in more placed than we cared to admit.  In Florida, reports of punch card voting machines malfunctioning, African American and minority voters being turned away from the polls, and irregular practices from one county to another surfaced in those tense months following a close Presidential race.

California also faced its own challenges in ensuring that voters were not needlessly turned away from the polls, received full assistance to be able to vote, and had voting machines that were reliable and easy to use.  Millions of California voters used faulty punchcard voting machines (53.4% of all voters) in the Presidential elections of 2000 which ultimately had a disproportionate effect on African American, Latino and Asian American communities.  In a state where no one group is the majority, these communities comprise a sizeable proportion of the state’s population and electorate. 

After the 2000 election, everyone from Congress to local community leaders began to organize to build safeguards that would ensure citizens their fundamental right to vote.   

CalVEC is committed to ensuring fair, and accessible elections for all Californians.  The agenda of CalVEC has evolved over time, addressing policy, legislative and electoral issues of the day.    Issues we have been active on include:      

• Improving voter registration, education and outreach to communities that have traditionally been disenfranchised, including minorities, language minorities, people with disabilities, former felons, and youth;

• Educating policymakers and the public about the importance of the Voting Rights Act;

• Supporting election administration and voting machines that open access to more voters;

• Providing a forum for discussion about California's redistricting process and criteria;

• Monitoring and taking positions on legislation and propositions affecting the political empowerment and civic engagement of the communities we represent.