Democracy for All

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Did you know...

... that people of color now comprise a majority of San Diego County's population?

... that not one person of color sits on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors?

... that over 600,000 eligible San Diego County residents are not registered to vote?

... that another 300,000 San Diegans, despite being registered to vote, do not participate in most elections?

... that over 150,000 San Diegans are eligible to naturalize as U.S. citizens, even before the passage of immigration reform legislation?

A New Decade, a New Democracy, a New San Diego?

The results from the 2010 Census make one thing very clear: San Diego is changing before our eyes.

But San Diego's political culture is yet to align with its new demographic profile.

Building on its deep relationships with under-represented communities, and armed with new leadership, strategy and resources,the Foundation for Change stands ready with a bold plan to transform San Diego's public landscape ... and assert San Diego's indispensable role in California's future.

Of The People? By The People?

San Diego is now a “majority minority” County … and yet its emerging populations remain dramatically under-represented at the ballot box and in positions of influence.  This chart shows how the minority population of San Diegans who claim white or "anglo" heritage comprise two-thirds of the typical San Diego electorate and hold almost 90 percent of the elected leadership positions in San Diego County.

But San Diego County is home to a potential 1.2 million new voters, more than participate in atypical San Diego election ... and these potential new voters come from communities much more likely than current voters to support progressive policies like expanded investment in public education, improved access to health care, a stronger commitment to the environment, and equal rights for all.

The Foundation for Change is committed to building a pipeline of leaders and voters that better represents San Diego’s diverse population, in order to create a democracy that is truly “of the people,by the people and for the people.”  To learn more about what a building-block campaign for civic transformation would look like here in San Diego, please contact Executive Director John Fanestil.

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Want to learn more about our other initiatives?  Visit: Health for All and Equality for All.

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2010 Census

Counting on Change in SanDiego: Why California’s Future Begins in San Diego’s Immigrant, Border and Refugee Communities.  Download the report.

The Foundation for Change campaign of census outreach made visible the depth and breadth of the networks engaged with immigrant, refugee and border communities in San Diego County... communities which hold the key to California’s political future.

“Our vision of justice is one in which everyone has an equal part in creating a democratic society.” – from the values statement of the Foundation for Change

See our Demographics page for more about the 2010 Census