Just like voting, the March edition of The Amplifier is coming early!

Voting starts on February 22nd

March 3rd is Election Day, but citizens can vote in person starting February 22nd. The ability to vote early isn't the only change happening to LA County voting this election. In this issue of The Amplifier , we will cover some of the upcoming changes.

Goodbye polling place...Hello voting centers

This year, registered voters will still receive sample ballots in the mail but will now be able to cast votes at any of 250 voting centers throughout the county from Feb. 22 through March 3. Starting on February 29th more voting centers will open, bringing the number of voting centers in Los Angeles County to almost 1,000. An electronic poll book lets workers search voters by name and retrieve the ballot with races local to the individual.

While citizens can check online at  lavote.ne t  for the center most convenient for them, PASadena voters may want to cast ballots at one of these four early voting sites any day from 8 am - 5 pm, starting February 22nd.

  • Rosemont Pavillion - 700 Seco St, Pasadena CA 91103
  • Robinson Recreation Center - 1081 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena CA 91103
  • Allendale Elementary School - 1135 S Euclid Ave, Pasadena CA 91106
  • H&H Jivalagian Youth Center - 2242 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena CA 91107

An additional 25 voting centers will open in our area on February 29th.

Voting has gone electronic
Casting ballots now involves electronic “ballot marking devices” that collect voter responses and record them on a paper ballot that is stored inside in the machine. It is this paper ballot that is ultimately counted.
Once they receive their paper ballot, voters will:

  • Choose a language;
  • Choose a text and screen size (Audio and braille options are also available);
  • Insert the paper ballot;
  • Then move through the ballot and voting, using the screen’s prompts with your finger;
  • When done, you’ll be able to review your vote (with no time limit);
  • Print the ballot;
  • Check it again on paper;
  • Then reinsert the paper to cast the ballot
Even with the potential benefits of the system, there’s concern that it might shortchange, and confuse, many of the 3 million county residents they say are expected to vote, especially when it comes to tickets with more than a few candidates. At issue are the  “ MORE ” and the “ NEXT ” buttons on the voting device touch screen :
  • “More” means, “see more candidates in this specific race.”
  • “Next” means “move on to the next page.”
Vote-by-Mail Ballots

If you cast your vote with a vote-by-mail ballot, it must be postmarked by March 3rd and received no later than three days after the election. I f you submit it as soon as possible, however, it should be included in the first count after polls close on Election Day. I f you want to be included in that first count, your best options are to:

  • Mail your ballot in as soon as possible to ensure its processed by the Monday before Election Day
  • Drop it off at one of the vote centers or drop-off locations as soon as possible to ensure its processed by the Monday before Election Day
  • Vote in-person at a vote center during the voting period starting Feb. 22.

Before you vote
Make sure you are registered to vote. If you are not registered, you may conditionally register to vote at a voting center the same day you would like to vote.


Make sure you understand the 2020 Prop 13. This info-graphic can help clear up any confusion regarding the old and new Prop 13s, as they both have an impact on public education.
The Vision | The children of Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre all grow up in a safe, stable,
                        and supportive environment that prepares them for success in school and in life.
Celebrate Women's History Month

Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by Presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history. It’s celebration grew out of humble roots, originating locally in California’s Sonoma County school district during the week of March 8, 1978 (corresponding with International Women’s Day), with essay contests by students on “Real Women”, and was eventually expanded into an entire month in 1980 under President Jimmy Carter, then officially sanctioned by Congress in perpetuity.
School Districts continue to celebrate women’s contributions through essay contests, as detailed below with Pasadena’s own Eliot Arts Magnet Academy.

Additional local celebrations can be accessed through the Women's City Club website, such as the International Women's Day "Helping Hands Happy Hour", where participants will assemble gift packages for the "Women's Room" at Friends in Deed's shelter for women.
3rd Annual Celebration of Women's History Month
at Eliot Arts Magnet Academy

Saturday, March 7, from 1PM-4PM
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy
2184 Lake Ave. Altadena
This event, which began as an Eliot based PUSD middle school event, has now expanded regionally with Arcadia Unified following suit.

This assembly, with a keynote from Ms. Laura Farber, President of Tournament of Roses, incorporates both suffrage and Women's Liberation Movement history. Middle school students from around PUSD will read their essays based on the the prompt: The year 2020 is the centennial celebration of women’s right to vote. What have women fought for over the last 100 years and how does that influence what women are still fighting for today?

Local politicians who will be in attendance (or their field reps) to award official certificates to the student essayists will include: Congresswoman Judy Chu, Dr. McDonald, Senator Portantino, Supervisor Barger, Assemblyman Holden and Mayor Tornek.

Eliot costumes will line the hallways and feminist images from the Women's Liberation Movement will be in the gallery. Food from Stater Bros. will be served. For more information, visit Eliot's Facebook page or contact Chair of
the Altadena Town Council Education Committee, Jennifer Lee, Jennifer.Lee@AltadenaTownCouncil.Org
March is National Reading Month!

The kick-off for National Reading Month has always been March 2, Dr. Seuss' birthday, and Read Across America Day! Now in its 22nd year, a n estimated 45 million educators, parents, and students across the U.S. will participate in Read Across America events. This year, however, the National Education Association (NEA) has a new focus, new mission, and new logo (no more Dr. Seuss): to recommend books that tell children of color or of different gender identities that they belong in the world and the world belongs to them. NEA believes diverse literature enables students to see themselves as heroes of the story , while also showing them that all kinds of people can be heroes too. Dr. Seuss' birthday will still be an honored kick-off for the event, but the focus will be on including diverse voices and experiences of children.

Contact your local PUSD school to volunteer and read with kids! Click HERE for a link to PUSD school contact information.
Altadena Libraries READ-a-DENA

Every year, communities around the country engage in community-wide read initiatives, in which as many people as possible in any given community read the same book and gather for a variety of themed programs through their local libraries. The Altadena Library District is thrilled to introduce Altadena's very own community-wide read program, called READ-a-DENA, launching in March 2020! From March through May, the Altadena Libraries invite their community to join in reading Wild LA: Explore the Amazing Nature In and Around Los Angeles, and engaging with members and their community through Reading Groups, exciting programming for all ages, and excursions out and about in nature. Click HERE for more information and how to participate.
ArtNight Pasadena - Spring 2020

Ink it in your calendars folks—March 13 th —another wondrous evening of free art, music, and entertainment, as Pasadena’s most prominent arts and cultural institutions swing open their doors! Last fall, more than 22,000 people experienced the excitement of ArtNight--don't be among the missing! Free shuttles will run all evening, with stops at each of the 20 venues. Be sure to stop by   No Boundaries 1 5 (stop 16), featuring art from each of our PUSD schools and curated the students from Rose City High School. Park at any one venue and ride to the others.

Some of LA County’s favorite food trucks are coming to ArtNight (Dina’s Dumplings, TACOS 210, The Deli Doctor, Kogi BBQ, Twoheys, Pie ‘n Burger, India Jones). As part of the GiveBack Program, these food trucks will donate 10% of their ArtNight proceeds to help support future ArtNights.

Click HERE to download the full ArtNight brochure. Click HERE for shuttle bus routes.
Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Villa-Parke Community Center
363 East Villa Street

Everybody counts in Pasadena! Join us as we kick off the 2020 Census count with a free, family-friendly event featuring crafts, live entertainment, activities, giveaways, light refreshments, and a sneak peek at the City’s summer programming like day camps, aquatics, and summer reading

Keep an eye our for your census form which will be arriving in the mail mid-March. More info on Census 2020 can be found on our website .
Partner Praise

As we celebrate the centennial of the 19th amendment, we would like to recognize the invaluable contribution to our democracy by the Pasadena Area League of Women Voters.

Formed from the movement that secured the right to vote for women, the centerpiece of the League’s efforts remain to expand participation and give a voice to all Americans. They do this at all three levels of government, engaging in both broad educational efforts as well as advocacy. Their work is grounded in our respected history of making democracy work for all Americans.

We value the League's work in advocacy, citizen education and voter service as it enriches and strengthens all aspects of our community.



News and Events

Click here to find the latest news and events on the Collaborate PASadena website! We happily post partner news and events on our site and on our Facebook page. Submit to  info@collpas.org.
LevelUP4 Youth Conference
Returning July 16 & 17
Learn|Grow|Lead
am-pluh-fahy
v. to make stronger; enlarge; extend
Collaborate PASadena is housed at, and supported by, Pacific Oaks College's Center for Community and Social Impact