Dear Voter:

Welcome to California's first Primary Election of the new millennium! As registered voters of California, you will have the opportunity to decide the future of our state by casting your vote on the important issues and various candidates listed in this Voter Information Guide. An exciting change for this next election is that you will head to the polls earlier than any other election year. Thanks to legislation enacted in 1998, California's presidential primary election has been moved up three months to March 7, 2000, providing you with a powerful voice in determining--for the first time in a generation--who will be our nominees for the next U.S. President!

To help you prepare for the election, the Voter Information Guide contains comprehensive summaries, legislative analyses and arguments on 18 propositions that will appear on the March 7th ballot. We urge you to please take the time to read each measure carefully before going to the polls. And on March 7, 2000, you will be prepared to cast your ballot with confidence!

You may have noticed a few changes from previous Voter Information Guides. In addition to a newly designed cover, a tear-out summary of the measures has been added to assist in your decision-making process at the polls. Used as a quick reference, this "pullout" guide will assist you in making informed decisions when casting your ballot. We've also included a comments section to assess the usefulness of the pamphlet as it exists now, and what can be done to improve it. Please refer to page 147 for instructions on how to submit your suggestions. This is important so that we can deliver the information you want and need to make your decisions.

To set new standards for the new millennium, we have expanded our Internet site to provide you with as much information as possible. The best in the country, our new state-of-the-art design will help you find your polling place location on Election Day, allow you to monitor live election results as soon as polls close and follow the candidates' money trails as their campaign finance reports will be filed on-line. You can access these and other exciting and new services by visiting our web site: http://www.sos.ca.gov.

The Secretary of State is committed to raising the level of voter participation in California to 100 percent while maintaining a zero tolerance for fraud or elections misconduct. If you know anyone who is not registered to vote and would like to do so, please have them call the Secretary of State's 24-hour Voter Registration and Election Fraud Hot-Line at 1-800-345-VOTE to receive a voter registration form.

As Californians we must take full-advantage of our unprecedented role in the presidential selection process. For the first time in 30 years, Californians will determine who will appear on the presidential election ballot. We urge you to go to the polls on March 7th and encourage your family, friends and relatives to participate and vote!