Sierra County Democrats • November 3 General Election
Sierra County deserves leaders who show up for rural communities, defend our rights, and fight for affordable health care, strong public schools, and a government accountable to the people.
Below are candidate recommendations for Sierra County voters and our guide to California’s statewide propositions.
Need to register or return your ballot? Visit our Register & Vote page.
Vote Mike McGuire for Congress
U.S. House of Representatives — District 1
We support Mike McGuire for Congress.
Rural Northern California needs a strong voice in Washington. McGuire’s campaign priorities include keeping rural hospitals open, strengthening wildfire protection, expanding broadband, lowering costs for working families, and protecting voting and reproductive rights.
He is running to represent California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes Sierra County, and is endorsed by the California Democratic Party.
We support his commitment to investing in rural communities and defending our democracy.
Meet Mike McGuire • Read his priorities • Volunteer with his campaign
Vote Dianna James for State Assembly
California State Assembly — District 1
We support Dianna Margaret James for State Assembly.
James is the Democratic candidate for Assembly District 1, which includes Sierra County, and is endorsed by the California Democratic Party.
Our communities deserve a Democratic voice in Sacramento and a representative who will listen to rural residents. Learn more about James and connect with her campaign below.
Visit Dianna James’s campaign website.
Democratic Candidate Voting Guide
The following candidates are endorsed by the California Democratic Party for offices relevant to Sierra County voters.
| Office | Recommended Candidate |
| U.S. Representative, District 1 | Mike McGuire |
| State Assembly, District 1 | Dianna Margaret James |
| Governor | Xavier Becerra |
| Lieutenant Governor | Fiona Ma |
| Secretary of State | Shirley N. Weber |
| Controller | Malia M. Cohen |
| Treasurer | Eleni Kounalakis |
| Attorney General | Rob Bonta |
| Insurance Commissioner | Ben Allen |
| Board of Equalization, District 1 | Nelson Esparza |
| Superintendent of Public Instruction | Richard Barrera |
Superintendent of Public Instruction is a nonpartisan office. Richard Barrera is the California Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate.
Explore the California Democratic Party’s voter guide.
For local contests and judicial offices, review the information included with your ballot and the Sierra County voter information materials. Local contests vary by residence.
Proposition Recommendations at a Glance
Our proposition recommendations prioritize accessible voting, strong public services, affordable housing, and accountable government.
We follow the League of Women Voters of California’s recommendations, with one difference: we recommend Yes on Proposition 40; the League is neutral.
| Proposition | Subject | Recommendation |
| 1 | Affordable housing and veterans’ home loans | YES |
| 2 | California’s rainy-day fund | YES |
| 3 | Continue existing taxes on high incomes | YES |
| 4 | Allow public campaign financing | YES |
| 5 | Reform statewide recall elections | YES |
| 37 | Loans for buyers of newly built homes | NO |
| 38 | Borrowing for immunology research | NO |
| 39 | New voter identification requirements | NO |
| 40 | One-time billionaire wealth tax | YES |
| 41 | Restrictions on new tax revenue and spending | NO |
| 42 | Ban certain new state taxes on personal property | NO |
| 43 | Higher approval threshold for voter-initiated local taxes | NO |
| 44 | Mandatory spending ratio for community clinics | NO |
| 45 | Changes to environmental review | NO |
Understanding the Propositions
YES on Proposition 1 — Affordable Housing and Veterans’ Home Loans
Authorizes $10 billion in bonds for affordable housing and homeownership programs, plus $1.25 billion for veterans’ home loans. We support expanding housing opportunities, while recognizing that bonds create long-term repayment obligations.
Official Proposition 1 information
YES on Proposition 2 — A Stronger Rainy-Day Fund
Allows California to build larger budget reserves during prosperous years. We support preparing for downturns so schools and essential services are less vulnerable to sudden cuts.
Official Proposition 2 information
YES on Proposition 3 — Protect Funding for Schools and Health Care
Makes existing higher income-tax rates on high earners permanent instead of allowing them to expire in 2031. It maintains current rates rather than increasing them today. We support preserving revenue for education and other essential services.
Official Proposition 3 information
YES on Proposition 4 — Give Everyday Voters More Influence
Allows state and local governments to establish public campaign-financing programs, subject to safeguards. It does not create or fund a program by itself. We support giving candidates more ways to compete without depending on wealthy donors.
Official Proposition 4 information
YES on Proposition 5 — Reform Statewide Recall Elections
Removes the replacement-candidate question from statewide recall ballots. Vacancies would be filled through procedures that depend on the office and timing. We support ending a process that can select a replacement with only a small share of the vote.
Official Proposition 5 information
NO on Proposition 37 — Homeownership Needs More Than Another Loan
Creates a loan program for qualifying middle-income buyers of newly built or converted homes. We share the goal of making homeownership attainable, but another monthly loan payment does not necessarily make a home affordable. Important financing terms would be determined after passage.
Official Proposition 37 information
NO on Proposition 38 — Avoid Decades of Research Debt
Authorizes $8.4 billion in bonds for immunology research. We support medical research, but oppose committing public funds to decades of debt for a narrowly designated field while other needs compete for funding.
Official Proposition 38 information
NO on Proposition 39 — Protect Access to the Ballot
Adds government-issued identification requirements for voting in person and identification-number requirements for mail ballots. We oppose additional barriers that could prevent eligible citizens from having their votes counted.
Official Proposition 39 information
YES on Proposition 40 — Ask Billionaires to Help Protect Health Care
Imposes a one-time tax on billionaire wealth, with revenue directed primarily to health care. We support asking those with extraordinary resources to help meet urgent public needs.
The Legislative Analyst estimates temporary revenue of tens of billions of dollars, while also identifying possible ongoing income-tax losses. This is temporary funding, not a complete solution to long-term health care financing.
The League is neutral on Proposition 40, weighing potential benefits against concerns about revenue stability and the measure’s design. Our recommendation is Yes.
Official Proposition 40 information
NO on Proposition 41 — Preserve Options for Funding Public Priorities
Restricts new state taxes that exclude revenue from the constitutional spending limit and adds special-tax audit requirements. We support oversight, but oppose restrictions that could limit California’s ability to fund services and respond to changing needs.
Official Proposition 41 information
NO on Proposition 42 — Keep Future Tax Decisions Open
Constitutionally prohibits certain new taxes on personal property, including financial assets, and certain retroactive taxes. We oppose broadly locking away future revenue options regardless of the circumstances California may face.
Official Proposition 42 information
NO on Proposition 43 — Let Communities Decide
Requires two-thirds approval for special local taxes proposed through voter initiatives. We oppose giving a minority the power to block funding supported by most voters.
Official Proposition 43 information
NO on Proposition 44 — Protect Community Health Clinics
Requires affected nonprofit community clinics to spend at least 90% of revenue on program services or face penalties. We oppose a rigid spending rule that could undermine clinic operations and access to care.
Official Proposition 44 information
NO on Proposition 45 — Protect Environmental Review and Public Input
Changes environmental review and court procedures for designated projects, including tighter deadlines and narrower legal review. We support needed housing and infrastructure, but oppose reducing meaningful public participation and environmental oversight.
Official Proposition 45 information
Compare Voter Guides
Read the proposals, compare recommendations, and decide what best reflects your priorities.
- League of Women Voters of California: proposition recommendations and explanations
- California Democratic Party: candidate endorsements and voter guide
- Courage California: Sierra County Progressive Voters Guide
- California Secretary of State: official proposition information
- Sierra County: local election and voter information
Make Your Vote Count
Election Day is November 3. Check your registration, sign your ballot envelope, and return your ballot on time.
Find registration information and Sierra County ballot-return locations.
Stand up for our communities. Defend our rights. Vote.