Top Priority Races List

Just a quick explanation of how we produced the "TOP PRIORITY RACES" list for California. In other words, why are some races included ... and many others aren't? The key is for us to find the races where a biker-volunteer can have the greatest impact on election results. This means we look for races that have the following qualities:

1. The candidates are on opposite sides of the helmet law -- also known as "red vs. green" races.

2. BOTH candidates have a realistic chance of winning -- normally with 60/40 odds or better. A dead-even 50/50 is perfect.

3. Extra Credit: The incumbent is influential -- a Transportation Committee member, motorcycle bill sponsor, speaker/president, majority/minority leader, etc.

The TOP PRIORITY RACES list comes from an overall evaluation of all 100 legislative races, and this is how it works:

1. An incumbent's voting record on repeal is the hardest evidence of whether they're "code-green" or "code-red." There is no better evidence of how they WILL vote than how they DID vote. Committee members, bill sponsors, and party leaders are all listed somewhere on the California Legislature website, too. While it's pretty scattered info, we pull it all together in one place, and that's "ALL LEGISLATIVE RACES" listed under California Races.

2. An ABATE endorsement is an automatic "code-green" candidate. While bikers rights is about more than just helmets, adult choice has always been an essential ingredient of what ABATE stands for. But the helmet law itself is actually about "more than just helmets," too. We use it as a litmus test to see where candidates stand on all "freedom vs. safety" issues. We also use it as a lightning rod to attract the most passionate biker activists to the campaign trail. Passion creates motivation ... motivation drives action ... and action gets results. And only results count.

3. Without a voting record or an ABATE endorsement, it's a judgment call. The best source is getting to know the candidate, and no amount of cold-calling can top a personal relationship. It's also good to simply ask them what they think of the helmet law. More than half the time, they'll tell you. Lacking personal contact, we sometimes make an educated guess based on their record of other issues that are similar to repeal ... for example exhaust labelling, ski helmets, etc. But sometimes we just can't tell ... so a candidate will remain in "code-gray" limbo until we have something useful to go on.

4. To be listed, candidates must be competitive. The number in parentheses after a candidate's name shows the percentage of votes their party received during the primary election. Candidates must have earned at least one percentage point to be on the list. It may seem hard-hearted at first, but candidates must earn their place on the list with more than good ideas. It takes votes to win an election ... and it takes votes to get on this list.

Finally, it's a matter of connecting passionate, motivated, action-oriented bikers (like you) with the nearby races that matter most. And if there happen to be any Top-Priority Races nearby, you have even more power in your hands. Of course this power is only present during the campaign season, which kicks off in a couple of days. So when you get a chance, take a look at the "California Races" list at RIDE2REPEAL.COM (click on "Elections" at the top of the page). The TOP PRIORITY RACES are listed ... you guessed it ... at the top of the page.

Once you have that list in front of you, everything you need to take action ... and get results ... is just one click away.

RIDE2REPEAL@gmail.com

PS: Look before you leap. The list may be "adjusted" from time to time as the campaign season unfolds.