Mad Props: A Comedy Breakdown of the California Ballot

Mad Props is a live variety show where Bay Area journalists help you make sense of the upcoming election — while also having a little fun! In six interactive presentations, we’ll cover some of the most consequential decisions this November, both statewide and here in SF.

Come for a drink and good laugh, leave with a headstart on your ballot!

Your Host

Eli Benton Cohen is the creator of the Mad Props Voter Guide, in collaboration with the San Francisco Standard and KALW. When he’s not reading the state voter guide you threw away, he’s probably at Berkeley Bowl.

The Governor’s Race

Sophia Garrow is the Comedy Correspondent at the SF Standard. She asked both Becerra and Hilton hard hitting questions like what is Mayor of San Francisco’s name, what is their favorite girls’ sport, and should the U.S. provide military aid to Israel. The answers may surprise you.

Prop 40: The Billionaire Tax

Will Harris and Matt Sheppard are reporters and producers at Uncuffed, KALW’s podcast from inside California prisons. Will and Matt have long used comedy to understand life on the inside, and are looking forward to training the same wit on billionaires.

Prop 39: Voter ID

Laura Fitzgerald is a politics reporter at KQED.

Props D, E, & F: Mayor Lurie’s Charter Reforms

Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez is a politics reporter at the San Francisco Standard. His love of city politics is eclipsed only by his love of classic video games. Mad Props is the first time he’s been able to combine the two.

Props I & J: Local Transfer Taxes

Io Yeh Gilman and Andres Jimenez Larios are reporters at Mission Local. While neither has ever bought or sold property worth more than $10 million, they’ve covered City Hall long enough to know a thing or two about this obscure tax.

Ranked Choice Voting

Lila LaHood is the Executive Director of SF Public Press. 

Please join us for this free event at the newly opened Warfield Commons on Tuesday, October 20th. Doors at 6, show at 7. 

Mad Props is a collaboration between KALW, the San Francisco Standard, The UC Berkeley School of Journalism, The Society of Professional Journalists NorCal, and newsroom partners around the Bay!