California Secretary of State Alex Padilla Takes the Oath of Office for Second Term
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California Secretary of State Alex Padilla took the Oath of Office for his second term as California Secretary of State. Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court Tani Cantil-Sakauye administered the oath.
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It is clear, we have much more work to do. And the challenges that lie ahead are great," said Secretary Padilla in his remarks following his swearing-in. "We accept the ongoing challenge to ensure the security, accessibility, and inclusivity of our elections. We will continue to modernize our Business Programs Division and make it even easier to do business in California. We will shine a brighter light on money in state politics. We will increase public access to California’s complete history contained in the Archives. And we will step up to the monumental task of ensuring that every Californian counts in the 2020 Census. Our challenges may be great, but our resolve is even greater. I look forward to working with the great women and men at the Office of the Secretary of State and with all of you to meet our challenges head on and deliver for all Californians. I thank you all again for your support."
Secretary Padilla was re-elected in November with 64.5% of the vote, receiving a total of 7,909,521 votes - the most votes any Latino has received in a statewide election in US History.
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Secretary of State Alex Padilla's Statement on Federal Court Striking Down Census Citizenship Question
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"Today's ruling is a victory for democracy and a major blow to the Trump Administration's attempts to undermine the 2020 Census. The Trump administration's plan to question the citizenship of every person in America is a thinly veiled attempt to discourage diverse communities from participating in the census."
"The research is clear—a citizenship question would lead to an undercount in the census. For nearly 70 years, both Republican and Democratic administrations have excluded a citizenship question because the accuracy of the census is so critical."
"An undercount in the 2020 Census could cost California billions of dollars of federal funding, jeopardize our representation in congress and our fundamental voting rights. We will continue to fight to ensure a complete count in 2020."
“A 'California for All' budget recognizes that all Californians count. That’s why I’m pleased to see Governor Newsom’s first budget proposal is taking threats to the Census seriously, with a $50 million increase in funding for outreach efforts. At a time when the 2020 Census has been put in grave danger by the Trump Administration, California is stepping up. An undercount in the 2020 Census jeopardizes billions of dollars of federal funding, as well as California’s political representation. It is critical that we mount a robust statewide effort to reach and properly count our diverse and hard-to-reach communities.”
Notable Coverage:
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CA State Archives Releases New Digital Exhibit Featuring History of Voting by Mail during the Civil War
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Using records from the battlefields of the Civil War to the halls of the State Capitol, the California State Archives new exhibit - Soldier's Ballots: Voting by Mail during the Civil War - tells the story of the origins of voting by mail in the Golden State.
This exhibit is also the first digital State Archives exhibit to be translated into Spanish.
“While a majority of Californians now cast their ballot by mail, the story of voting by mail is originally rooted in the Civil War,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “As Californians left to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War, another battle unfolded behind the scenes in the State Legislature to protect theses soldiers’ right to vote. The State Archives tells an important story of electoral innovation created to protect our soldiers’ right to vote. Today, voting by mail provides an opportunity for every American citizen to participate in our democracy, no matter where they are in the world.”
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bizfile California Filing Tool Expands to Allow Termination of Limited Liability Companies Online
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The Secretary of State’s online business entity document filing and search hub —
bizfile California
— serves as an important tool for California entrepreneurs. In the past year, bizfile was expanded to allow Californians to file trademarks and servicemarks and form Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) online. Now, Californians can use an online form to terminate their LLC.
“Bizfile California is making it easier to do business in our state,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “Expanding bizfile California helps entrepreneurs avoid the lengthier review turnaround time associated with paper filings. As we increase our online business tool offerings, we’re also decreasing the rejection rate for common business filings. As California business owners and entrepreneurs are preparing for end of year filings, they can avoid the lines at the office by going online and utilizing bizfile California.”
Tools available through bizfile California:
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California State Archives Digitizes its Complete Collection of Famed Architect Alfred Eichler's Designs
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For the first time, the California States Archives has digitized its entire collection of esteemed architect Alfred Eichler’s drawings, sketches, and watercolors. This collection of 431 images of his public project designs spans from 1925 to 1962. The complete collection is searchable and can be browsed on the Secretary of State’s website. In 2018, the State Archives previously released a digital exhibit sampling some of Eichler’s work on the
Google Arts & Culture
platform.
“Alfred Eichler was instrumental in designing public works that reflected the growing vibrancy and diversity of the Golden State in the first half of the 20
th
Century,” said Secretary of State Alex Padilla. “Many of Eichler’s designs became California icons. Eichler’s ability to use a variety of styles—from brutalist to Spanish mission revival to midcentury modern—is a testament to his skill as an architect. I am proud that the State Archives is continuing our work to provide digital access to our state’s rich history.”
Alfred William Eichler (1895-1977) grew up in San Francisco and studied at Columbia University and the Beaux Arts Institute of Design in New York. His architectural career began with his service as a civilian architect for the U.S. Navy during WWI and culminated in being a Supervisory Architect for California’s Department of Public Works.
Some iconic buildings and infrastructure designed and renovated by Alfred Eichler include:
- San Quentin Prison
- Camarillo State Hospital
- The Renovated Benicia State Capitol building
- Sacramento’s Tower Bridge
- Fort Yuma Quarantine Inspection Area
- Buildings that became part of the San Diego State and University of California, Santa Barbara campuses
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