Guest Opinion | The Future of California’s Democratic Party is in Your Hands. So, Where’s Your Ballot?

A little-known but critical election will be held this February. Most Californians have never heard of the Assembly Delegate Election Meeting (ADEM). Elected delegates in each California State Assembly district often win by only a few hundred votes!

Every two years, the Democratic Party permits registered Democrats to select 14 delegates, 7 self-identified females (SIF) and 7 other than self-identified females (OSIF), to represent voters in each of California’s 80 Assembly Districts. These elected delegates comprise one-third of the party delegates and will have a measure of influence over the party’s future policies and practices. Given the disappointing performance in the 2024 elections, the potential to influence the Party is essential.

While most California Democrats agree on goals like affordable housing, environmental stewardship, health care, climate action, and public educational excellence, there are disagreements on the path forward. Some voters contend that the party no longer represents the will of the people.

In the 41st Assembly District, the AD41 People’s Action Slate is a group of 14 progressive Democratic Party candidates who listen to voters, have a unified and detailed platform, and champion progressive issues within the party and in their local communities. We’re working to elect members of our Slate as delegates to the California Democratic Party for Assembly District 41. We believe in a progressive Democratic Party that supports:

• Human Rights – Universal healthcare, guaranteed housing, dismantling racism, and protecting and expanding immigrant and refugee rights.
• Education –  Fully funding free public education for all, canceling student debt, supporting workforce science and technology training, and resisting the privatization of K-12 schools.
• Climate Change – advocating for a decarbonized economy and 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030, and fighting environmental and health hazards by supporting goals like a ban on Single-Use Plastics.
• Party accountability, transparency, and campaign finance reform by rejecting political contributions from military contractors, fossil fuel interests, police unions, private prison industry, and corporate PACs.
• Many others can be found on our website: https://www.ad41peoplesaction.org/.

In the 41st Assembly District, the candidates for the AD41 People’s Action slate are:

• Cindy Montoya
• Denise Robb
• Rachel Forester
• Melissa Taylor
• Char Bland
• Cynthia Cannady
• Olivia Delgado
• Steve Gibson
• Brandon Lamar
• Sam Berndt
• Ryan Bell
• Juan Carlos Perez
• Jason Willoughby
• Christopher Guerrero

Assembly District 41 is comprised of the following cities:

• Altadena
• Bradbury
• Claremont
• Duarte
• Hesperia
• La Canada Flintridge
• La Verne
• Lytle Creek
• Monrovia
• Oak Hills
• Pasadena
• Phelan
• Pinon Hills
• Rancho Cucamonga
• San Antonio Heights
• San Dimas
• San Pasqual
• Sierra Madre
• Upland
• Wrightwood
• Parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino

If you are a Democratic voter and share these values, please participate in the ADEM elections.  It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1.         Register online for this special election here between January 6-23. (This is not the same as voter registration)

2.         Watch for your voter credentials in the US postal mail, which you should receive by January 31.

3.         Vote for your candidates. We urge you to vote for the AD41 People’s Action Slate. See who we are and what we stand for here: https://www.ad41peoplesaction.org/

If you want to meet and mingle, you can vote in person on Saturday and Sunday, February 22-23, 2025, in Claremont at UFCW Local 1428 at 705 Arrow Hwy, Claremont, CA 91711.

Either way, don’t miss your chance to vote for change. We can revitalize the Democratic Party to make it a voice of, by, and for the people.   The California Democratic Convention will be held on June 1 in Anaheim.  Your vote to send AD41 People’s Action delegates will make a big difference!

The fight for the greater good must prevail over personal ambition for our elected officials and drive the party. In a democracy, the voting citizen is the most critical player. Your vote is your power, so let’s use it and get progressive candidates elected in AD41 to ensure the California Democratic Party stands solidly on the side of all Californians!

— AD41 People’s Action Slate