Means for Democracy (Tools for Better Self-Governance)

Building an Environmentally Sustainable, Spiritually Fulfilling, and Socially Just Community.
Ballot Recommendations About Us Issues in Milpitas, CA How can I help?

Recommendations for the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot

Vote 411
Register to vote. Check your registration. See your ballot.
A League of Women Voters Education Fund service.

For those who don't follow politics, here are 2 important points to know:

  1. There are 3 major political groups in America:
    1) Republicans (like *rump, ex-Sen. Mitch McConnell, and MAGA Mike Johnson),
    2) corporate/status-quo Democrats (like Senator Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries), and
    3) progressive Democrats (like Assembly member Alex Lee, Congressman Ro Khanna, and Senator Bernie Sanders).

    To overcome corporate corruption of our government and domination of our lives, vote for progressive candidates and policies.

  2. Your vote counts more in local races than in state-level districts, and local candidates are more likely to listen to you after the election.

Vote early and often! Take a tip from the billionaires, vote with your dollars by investing in the campaigns of your preferred candidates. A few candidates have declared they don't accept corporate donations. Invest in progressive corporate-free candidates at SBPA's Endorsements page.

In Milpitas, progressive activist Rob Means is voting for the following:



Congressional Republicans voted against We the People.
Ballotpedia Navigate 2026 Election!

Ballotpedia is the digital encyclopedia of American politics and elections. Our goal is to inform people about politics by providing accurate and objective information about politics at all levels of government. We are firmly committed to neutrality in our content.
Their Sample Ballot Lookup Tool is to help you research the content of your ballot and make informed decisions. You cannot cast a vote with this tool.
National Institute on Money in Politics Follow the Money!

Politicians are influenced by funders. Are campaign funds
coming from special interests or regular people?










Track Your Ballot

If you vote by mail this election, you can request tracking information be sent to you by registering with the Secretary of State's Ballot Trax system:
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot


Follow the money

Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, OpenSecrets is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. Our mission is to track the flow of money in American politics and provide the data and analysis to strengthen democracy.


How well do your legislators represent you?

Find out how often your Calif. Senate and Assembly representatives stand up for constituents over corporate lobbyists.
"We do this by increasing transparency on how they vote on important bills and by helping constituents better understand the degree to which big money infects our political process. "
Here are California State Assembly and Senate members by name.
Or simply enter your address to find your representatives and their score.


Ensure your election contributions go to eco-friendly candidates.

LCV Victory Fund and NRDC Action Votes collaborated to develop GiveGreen, which provides a nationwide strategy for taking action. The GiveGreen platform offers donors a strategic vision for helping elect candidates who will take real action on climate change, and for making lasting change in our political system. It works to make supporting climate champions as convenient and impactful as possible. We're stronger when we work together. Political giving through GiveGreen maximizes your impact by demonstrating the power of our pro-environment and pro-climate donor community." Like ActBlue, GiveGreen provides an easy way to contribute to U.S. Senate and U.S. House candidates. Or simply enter your address to find your representatives and their score.

California Environmental Voters The California Environmental Voters rates legislators.
We have the solutions to solve the climate crisis. We just need the political will.

Is Your State Lawmaker a Climate Champion? Enter your address to find out!
Together, we can end the era of corporate polluters pulling the strings in Sacramento, and demand political leaders implement transformational climate solutions.
California Working Families Party The California Working Families Party makes endorsements for Bay Area candidates.
LET'S MAKE CALIFORNIA WORK FOR THE MANY, NOT THE FEW.

We advocate for consumers over corporate interests, and people over profit. Because we deserve health care and housing for all, fully funded schools, and leaders with the backbone to fight for it. California WFP has made 250 endorsements in 2026, including 220 endorsements for the general election, by far the largest slate in our history.



California Environmental Voters Recommendations
Along with a few proposition and local measure recommendations, they list endorsed candidates for Congress and state legislature.


Santa Clara County Democratic Party Recommendations
Check their endorsed candidates from state-level to local measure recommendations.


California Democratic Party Recommendations
Enter your address to see the CDP's state and national endorsed candidates followed by Proposition recommendations


Republican Party Recommendations for all of California
Meet the CAGOP Endorsed Candidates offers recommendations by office.


Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Recommendations for both
Propositions and Candidates.



The South Bay Labor Council provides a guide to local, state, and Congressional candidates.


Equality California Recommendations for all of California
To achieve full, lived equality for all LGBTQ+ people, Equality California is committed to endorsing and supporting openly LGBTQ+ and pro-equality candidates — up and down the ballot — who will fight for civil rights and social justice. Click here.

South Bay Progressive Alliance Recommendations
The South Bay Progressive Alliance only considers candidates for endorsement who make 4 affirmative pledges - including refusing donations from corporations. Each endorsed candidates submitted answers to an extensive questionnaire. Links are provided to support their campaigns with money or time.
The Sierra Club California has endorsed national, state and local candidates along with State Propositions (see above).
The California Nurses Association has endorsed national, state and local candidates along with State Propositions.
The California Teachers Association has endorsed federal and state level candidates along with some State Propositions.
The SEIU Local 521 has endorsed federal and state level candidates along with State Propositions.
The California Federation of Labor Unions has endorsed federal and state level candidates along with State Propositions.

If you are confused about a candidate or measure
and have no trusted source to guide you, it's actually best to NOT vote on that one.
Voting is not a school test; leaving some empty spaces does not hurt you.




Contact Webmaster Rob Means at 408-262-8975, Rob@MeansForDemocracy.org
    1421 Yellowstone Avenue, Milpitas, CA 95035