[ALL CALIFORNIA]
Value of Vote:
Each vote has a value, which everyone knows — but when asking people publicly, most couldn't guess how much their vote is actually worth. A few guessed $10, most guessed hundreds. Very few thought in thousands. The actual number is around $19K.
The math is simple: $349B California Budget ÷ 121 = $2.8B impact factor
$2.8B ÷ 300,000 voters per Assembly District × 2 (Assembly terms) = ~$19K
In other words, the $349 billion budget is determined by 40 state senators, 80 assembly members, and the governor (121 people). This gives each of them a $2.8 billion impact factor in the budget's conclusion. Dividing this factor by the number of Assembly District voters (300,000) and multiplying by a two term allowance gives each voter a rhetorical impact factor of almost $19,000.
Credit : Naomi Heinen the campaign staff of Chirag Kathrani, Candidate for California Assembly AD16.
During primaries, only 1/3 of voters actually vote — technically making your vote three times more valuable.
Perhaps most striking is what happens when voters are given fewer choices.
Analysis of early 2025 election data revealed a notable trend in the San Ramon City Council District 3 race, which went unopposed. Roughly 25% of voters left the ballot line blank, while voter participation declined from 86% to 72% — a 14% drop in engagement among eligible voters.
Here is a short clip highlighting how unchallenged races reduce participation.
Now, seventeen months later, as primaries rapidly approach and ballots have been sent to registered voters, roughly 65% of races remain unopposed. This includes 11 of 12 Superior Court judicial seats, along with numerous other positions across local government.
65% Missing Opponents in Contra Costa County.
Image Credit: Contra Costa County Clerk Recorder website. (Open Positions)
From County Clerks to Auditor-Controllers, from School Superintendents to County Assessors, critical public offices continue to go uncontested — reinforcing a political culture where fewer choices can lead to lower civic participation.
The number of unchallenged positions matters. With fewer choices often comes lower voter turnout, weaker civic engagement, and reduced public participation in the democratic process.
But when competition increases, participation rises. And when participation rises, communities become more engaged, informed, and invested in the outcome of their government. Strong democracies depend on contested ideas, competitive races, and voters who believe their voice matters.
Regardless of political affiliation, unchallenged races represent a broader failure by civic and political institutions to encourage participation and leadership within the community. That problem is only solved when more people step forward and join the race.
To help address this issue, our campaign has launched a voter outreach initiative focused on increasing turnout among “never voters” — registered voters who have not participated in the last four elections. For every $19 donated, our team will contact and mobilize one disengaged voter — creating what we believe is roughly $19,000 in democratic impact through increased participation and representation.
Here is Naomi again who has put together a beautiful video explaining the difference you can make with $19.
Credit : Naomi Heinen, What's the worth of $19?
Buy $19 door knocks @ chiragforcommunity.com/Donate
Locate your drop box.
Coco County: https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/official-ballot-drop-boxes/
Alameda County : https://alamedacountyca.gov/rovapps/maps/ballotdropbox_map.htm
PAID FOR BY CHIRAG KATHRANI FOR STATE ASSEMBLY 2026
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