Forum to Examine Nov. Ballot Propositions

Voters will have a chance to learn about the 17 propositions on the November ballot at a Community Forum in Newbury Park on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Jessica Farris of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California will lead the discussion hosted by the ACLU Ventura chapter and the Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Community Forum at CVUUF, 3327 Old Conejo Road, near the Wendy Drive exit of U.S. 101. The forum will offer an opportunity to learn more about the issues, hear and contribute to different perspectives, and be equipped to make more informed voting decisions.

Fifteen measures were put on the ballot through signature petitions and two by the Legislature. Among the issues to be voted on are marijuana legalization, gun control, drug prices, tobacco taxes, plastic bags, condoms in adult films and speeding up or repealing the death penalty. If the ACLU has a position on a ballot issue, Farris will explain the rationale. Those attending the forum will have opportunities to voice alternative positions.

Farris is Policy and Advocacy Counsel and Director of Criminal Justice at the ACLU of Southern California. She has worked on national, state and local policies to promote fairness and reduce racial bias. Among her legislative successes are the California Fair Sentencing Act to end disproportionate sentences for possessing crack cocaine and the state Racial and Identity Profiling Act aimed at ending such profiling by law enforcement.

The forum is open to the public and free; donations will be accepted. For information, call (805) 498-9401 or email ghclint@yahoo.com.