Barrera Minute 14 -The Closing Bell
Election Day is less than a week away. Whether you’re a long-time subscriber to The Barrera Minute or a recent reader, thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you during this election season.
I’m feeling very positive about the outcome. We have received strong support from newspapers, unions, community groups, and voters like you. I am grateful and honored.
“Richard has an encyclopedic knowledge of education policy and a track record and obvious passion for helping students succeed . . . Barrera is uniquely qualified to get diverse stakeholders rowing in the same direction to improve outcomes for kids. He deserves your vote.”
“Barrera has helped a diverse, working-class district that is one of the top-performing large urban systems in the country. San Diego now ranks first among large districts in reading and math, with graduation rates exceeding 90% . . . Th[e] instinct to listen, to convene, to build is exactly what this job requires.”
“CTA supports Richard Barrera to be the next Superintendent of Public Instruction because he shares our vision for a public education system that prepares every student for success, both in the classroom and in the world . . . As teachers, we seek every day to inspire our students to dream big and make their world a better place. CTA is doing just that by endorsing Richard Barrera as the Teachers’ Choice for Superintendent.”
As of this writing, less than 15% of mail ballots have been returned. The rest are likely sitting on kitchen counters across the state as voters sort through a long and complicated ballot. If that includes you, here are a few tips for making sure your vote gets counted:
State Superintendent is not listed with the other statewide offices on the ballot. Instead, it’s under the heading of schools;
Your mailed ballot will be counted as long as it is post-marked by Election Day, June 2, but a change in postal service policy means that not every post office will issue a postmark on the same day a ballot is dropped off;
To be on the safe side take your ballot to one of the drop-off locations listed on the website of your County Registrar of Voters. Be sure to sign the back of the ballot envelope. You can also have someone else drop your ballot off. Just be sure to complete the section on the back of the envelope authorizing that person to deliver your ballot;
If you prefer, you can vote in person at one of the Voting Centers listed on your Registrar’s website. Most are open from 8 am to 5 pm every day between now and June 2 and until 8 pm on Election Day;
Missed the voter registration deadline? You can register at any voting center or polling place through Election Day and receive a conditional ballot, which will be counted once your eligibility is verified.
Whichever voting method you choose, I hope I have earned your vote. Together we can build better schools and successful students. Thank you.
