From condoms in porn to recreational cannabis, Californians face the longest-ever guide to this years election. Can a ballot party get them in the mood?
They gathered in the light-filled apartment, armed with the tools of 21st century democracy: smartphones, laptops, wine, pizza and a small bowl of Halloween candy.
Before the night was over, the seven San Franciscans would need them all. Because they hoped to accomplish together what none could imagine doing alone wading through the massive state and city ballots and the record-breaking 2016 voter guides that accompany them.
Joey Nuez picks up theSan Francisco voter guide and ruffles its 316 pages. The Sunday afternoon ballot party is at his place, and the 29-year-old clinical laboratory scientist rigged the television so votersedge.org (strapline: Get the facts before you vote) flashes on the big, flat screen.
This is so daunting, Nuez says as the party gets going. And it doesnt even look like fun.