		The Lutheran Office of Public Policy—California An Advocacy Ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 1701 L Street Sacramento, CA 95811 Voice: (916) 447-6666 Fax: (916) 447-6668 E-Mail: lutheranadvocate@earthlink.net The Lutheran Office of Public Policy–California is a justice advocacy ministry of the Pacifica, Southwest California & Sierra Pacific Synods, and the Church in Society Program Unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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A resource from Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the ELCA Guide to Voter Participation and Civic Engagement.

Called to be Political (But I Don't Want to be Political)

ELCA Social Statements and Messages

Including the newly adopted statement on education, and developing statements on genetics, and human sexuality. See http://www.elca.org/socialstatements/.

May 19th Special Election

Patience and Propositions, Politics, and Poverty—a Commentary by Mark Carlson, Director, Lutheran Office of Public Policy—California

2009 May Ballot Propositions—Support and Opposition List

New: Analysis of Health-Related Ballot Measures from HealthVote.Org, a collaboration of the California Healthcare Foundation and the Center for Governmental Studies.

Prepare to take your turn in making important decisions on the state budget! The Secretary of State’s Voter Guide, with information from the Legislative Analysts Office and support and opposition arguments, is available at voterguide.sos.ca.gov.

Do you need to update your registration information? Are there new voters in your family or congregation? The deadline for new or updated registration postmark is May 4, 2009. More information and a form to download is available at sos.ca.gov./elections/elections_vr.htm

Can you "solve" California's Budget Conundrum before you vote on May 19? Take the Next Ten Budget Challenge (updated for the May 19, 2009 Election.)

ELCA World Hunger

Responding to Christ's call to "Go and do likewise"

ELCA World Hunger is a comprehensive and sustainable program that uses multiple strategies—relief, development, education, and advocacy—to address the root causes of hunger and poverty. ELCA World Hunger responds to neighbors around the corner and around the world. [learn more]

Voter Guide to Evaluating Propositions:
Questions to Consider

In recent years, California voters have struggled with many complex and often confusing ballot initiatives, and have been saturated with expensive and often deceptive media campaigns. How can voters make well-informed decisions on these proposals? Click here for the Lutheran Office of Public Policy—CA Voter Guide to Evaluating Propositions. (Adobe PDF document)

Ballot Proposition Watch: Check with the California Secretary of State Web site to keep track of ballot propositions submitted for future elections. (That site offers the option of subscribing to Email or RSS updates, so you will be automatically notified of changes to ballot measures.)

The Initiative Process

Concerned about how the initiative process is used today?
Perplexed by the plethora of propositions?
Bewildered and bedeviled by the bulk of the ballot?

So is the Policy Council of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy—California. Click here for a Perspective and Recommendations on Initiative Reform from the Policy Council.
(Adobe PDF document.)