Tag Archives: County

AACI and NBC Bay Area Host Annual Contest

AACI and NBC Bay Area are hosting the Growing Up Asian in America (GUAA) art, essay, and video contest for students (kindergarten – 12th grade) in the nine Bay Area counties. GUAA provides a unique platform for young people to creatively explore and celebrate being both Asian or Pacific Islander and American. GUAA was started in 1995 by the Asian Pacific Fund and NBC Bay Area as one of the largest youth celebrations of Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month in the nation.

Every year, hundreds of Bay Area students – Kindergarten through 12th grade – submit artwork, essays, and videos in response to a specific theme. It encourages young Asian Americans to take pride in their identities whilst discussing dreams for their future, pride in their cultural heritage, challenges they may face, and other complex issues. Furthermore, it helps individuals (both Asian and non-Asian) understand the varied experiences of our youth growing up in the Bay Area’s diverse communities. The program is competitive, and one (1) winner will receive the $1,000 Lance Lew Grand Prize Award and nine (9) winners will receive the $500 “Best in Class” awards, with Honorable Mention awards as well. All winners will have their entries showcased at the virtual awards ceremony and on the AACI website and have a chance to be featured on NBC Bay Area.

2021 Contest Theme: This Is My Time

The year 2020 has left a mark on history. With the COVID-19 pandemic, our community has battled a difficult time of uncertainty, illness, loss, and inequity. However, we can reflect and implement change to ensure a brighter future. Share what your vision of the future is and what tools and lessons you think will help to propel us into a new era post-pandemic.

Submissions will be accepted until Friday, April 2, 2021.

To access our online entry form or learn more information, please visit aaci.org/guaa. For any questions, email guaa@aaci.org.

About AACI: Founded in 1973, AACI is one of the largest community-based organizations advocating for and serving the marginalized and vulnerable ethnic communities in Santa Clara County. Our many programs address the health and well-being of the individual and advance our belief in providing care that goes beyond just health, but also provides people a sense of hope and new possibilities. Current programs include behavioral and primary health services, substance abuse prevention and treatment, a center for survivors of torture, a shelter, and services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, a senior center, youth programs, and community advocacy.

Record One Million Registered Voters In Santa Clara County

The County of Santa Clara officially reached a record high of  one million registered voters for the upcoming November 3 Presidential Election. This number reflects  83% of the total 1,204,687 eligible voters in Santa Clara County. It is a significant increase compared  to July 2016, when we had 799,477 out of 1,188,753 (or 67% of eligible voters) registered to vote.  

“Reaching one million registered voters is a milestone moment in diverse Santa Clara County,” said  Supervisor Cindy Chavez, President of the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. “We can’t  stop there. Now we must keep moving forward and do everything possible to make sure those million  registered voters cast ballots to make their voices heard. Voting in Santa Clara County has never  been easier with our 100 Vote Centers. Reach out to your families and neighbors to help them have  their voices heard on November 3.”  

Registrar of Voters Shannon Bushey called reaching the million-voter mark “a major milestone for  Santa Clara County.”  

“We’ve seen the percentage of registered voters climb higher and higher and that’s exciting for us  here at the Registrar’s Office – it means more and more Santa Clara County residents are becoming  active participants in our democracy and we are excited to welcome our new voters,” Bushey said.  “This is a major milestone for Santa Clara County reaching nearly 83 percent of eligible voters.”  

The last day to register to vote is October 19. Voters can register online at registertovote.ca.gov.  Voters should re-register whenever they change their name or address. Any voter can also call (408)  299-VOTE to check on the status of their voter registration or go to voterstatus.sos.ca.gov if they  have a driver’s license or social security number already on file.  

All registered voters are mailed ballots with a free postage paid return envelope and will have an  option to mail it in, return it at one of our 98 ballot drop-off boxes, one of the 100 vote centers  throughout the county, or at the Registrar of Voters’ office. 

Early in-person voting started this week at the Registrar of Voters’ Office located at 1555 Berger  Drive, Bldg. 2, in San Jose. Vote Centers will be open October 31 – November 2 from 9 a.m. to 5  p.m. and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can find the Vote Center and drop box locations that are nearest you.  

Vote Centers will open on October 31. ROV and Vote Center staff will take extra steps to ensure that  safety measures are followed at all locations. Vote Center layouts have been re-designed to allow for  distancing between voting booths and machines. We have maximized one-way routes inside Vote  Centers to allow for a seamless voting experience that adheres to social distancing protocols.  

Health guideline posters will be placed inside and outside of the Vote Centers. Personal Protective  Equipment (PPE), such as disposable masks, gloves, and self-serve hand sanitizer will be provided  for all voters. Vote Center workers will also be issued PPE, including face shields, disposable masks,  disposable gloves, and disinfectant spray. Voters will use a stylus to operate the electronic voter sign in pollbook and touch screen voting machine, which will be sanitized after each use. Voter service  areas and voting equipment will also be wiped down between voters. Finally, curbside voting will be  available for voters who cannot leave their vehicle or comply with safety procedures.  

With one million registered voters in Santa Clara County, it is becoming increasingly important to  make sure everyone can vote safely. We encourage voters to vote from home.  

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