Election Day (November 8) is rapidly approaching – and voting started on October 10! In order to elect the Right to Housing Slate, we need to reach as many Berkeleyans as possible before the cast their ballots! Here are some upcoming opportunities to help:

Saturday, October 29: District 8 Lit Drop w/ Coffee and Donuts

When: Saturday, October 29 from 10AM to 1PM (come for all or part!)
Meet-Up Location: Cul-de-sacs at Webster and Bateman (by 2523 Webster)
Free food for volunteers: Breakfast and coffee
Childcare: No
RSVP Form

Join the Berkeley Tenants Union (BTU), Friends of Adeline, and the whole community as we drop literature for endorsed candidates and ballot measures! We’ll be dropping literature for the Right to Housing Slate for Rent Board (Negeene Mosaed, Soli Alpert, Ida Martinac, Nathan Mizell, and Vanessa Danielle Marrero), Mari Mendonca for City Council District 8, Pamela Price for District Attorney, and the vacancy tax (Measure M)!

It’s up to us to make sure they’re elected! Please come to the cul-de-sacs at Webster and Bateman (we’re meeting at the grassy area adjacent to 2523 Webster; please do not enter the home at that address) on Saturday, October 29 at 10AM. We’ll be dropping literature till 1PM! We’ll have free breakfast and coffee for all volunteers!

Please RSVP here to help us make sure we have enough supplies and breakfast for everyone.  Want to drop literature but can’t make the time for the big lit drops? Fill out the RSVP form and indicate in the last question that you can’t make this lit drop.

Sunday, October 30: Lit Drop With FREE CHILDCARE and Pizza

When: Sunday, October 30 from 12PM to 4PM (come for all or part!)
Meet-Up Location: Grove Park in South Berkeley
Free food: Pizza
Childcare: Must submit waiver by Saturday (10/29) 4PM per these instructions
RSVP Form

Join the Berkeley Tenants Union (BTU), the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and the whole community as we drop literature for endorsed candidates and ballot measures such as the Right to Housing Slate for Rent Board – Negeene Mosaed, Soli Alpert, Ida Martinac, Nathan Mizell, and Vanessa Danielle Marrero – and the vacancy tax (Measure M).

It’s up to us to make sure they’re elected! Please come to the Grove Park in South Berkeley on Sunday, October 30 starting at 12PM. We’ll be dropping literature till 4PM! We’ll have free pizza for all volunteers!

In addition to free pizza for all volunteers, we will be offering FREE CHILDCARE for all volunteers.  In order to use the childcare, you must email the waiver to jonahmgottlieb@gmail.com by Saturday (10/29) 4PM before start of the canvass; more information about the free childcare can be found here.

Please RSVP here to help us make sure we have enough supplies and breakfast for everyone.  Want to drop literature but can’t make the time for the big lit drops? Fill out the RSVP form and indicate in the last question that you can’t make this lit drop.

Phonebanking and Other Opportunities

There are lots of additional ways to help the Slate including literature drops on your own time and phonebanking.  If you’d like the campaign to contact you with additional ways to help, please fill out this form.

Donate to the Slate!

Please donate to the Right to Housing Slate for Rent Board to help get the word out!  Unlike their opponents, the entire Slate is using public financing instead of taking donations from Big Real Estate and political machines.  That means individuals can donate up to $60 to each member of the Slate (i.e. up to $300 total). Click here for the donation links!

Every election year since 1994, the Rent Board Convention selects the progressive, pro-tenant slate for the seats up for election on the Berkeley Rent Board. The 2022 Convention was sponsored by the Berkeley Tenants Union, Friends of Adeline, the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America, the Young Democratic Socialists of America – UC Berkeley, Our Revolution East Bay, Healthy Black Families, Berkeley Citizens Action, the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, the Gray Panthers, the Green Party, SEIU 1021, the Center for Independent Living, and the new Berkeley Progressive Alliance.

The 2022 Right to Housing Slate is comprised of Soli Alpert, Negeene Mosaed, Ida Martinac, Nathan Mizell, and Vanessa Danielle Marrero. For more information about the Slate, please go to berkeleyrentboard.org or email jonahmgottlieb@gmail.com.

We need everyone who’s a registered Berkeley voter to come out and make donations to/sign matching fund forms for Negeene, Soli, Ida, Nathan, and Vanessa! Each member of the Berkeley Rent Board slate needs to submit at least 30 donations of at least $10 from registered Berkeley voter by Friday, or else they’ll be locked out of public financing!

You can come to the Ashby BART Station parking lot in South Berkeley THIS THURSDAY (8/11) between 4:30PM and 9PM to drop off checks and sign the matching funds forms.

In order to use public financing, each candidate needs to collect and submit by Friday by 30 donations by Berkeley voters of at least $10 (along with a signed form from the donor), for a total dollar amount of at least $580. If any candidate fails to do so, they will be locked out out of public financing, putting them at a massive disadvantage. (Public financing matches donations 6:1. So for instance, if you donate the $10, the candidates receives $60. If you donate $20, the candidate receives $120.)  Each candidate needs to qualify separately, so please consider donating at least $10 to each of the five candidates.

(The candidates will also be collecting signatures for their nominating papers; if they can’t get enough signatures from Berkeley voters, they won’t even be allowed to appear on the ballot!)

This event will be conducted outdoors in a safe, socially distanced manner. Please wear a mask.

Please bring your friends and roommates to make donations too! Make sure to invite all your friends who are registered to vote in Berkeley and will be in the Bay Area on Thursday evening.  Folks can also get the word out by sharing the Facebook event.

Every election year since 1994, the Rent Board Convention selects the progressive, pro-tenant slate for the seats up for election on the Berkeley Rent Board. The 2022 Convention was sponsored by the Berkeley Tenants Union, Friends of Adeline, the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America, the Young Democratic Socialists of America – UC Berkeley, Our Revolution East Bay, Healthy Black Families, Berkeley Citizens Action, the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, the Gray Panthers, the Green Party, SEIU 1021, the Center for Independent Living, and the new Berkeley Progressive Alliance. For more information about the Berkeley Rent Board Convention or the 2022 Rent Board Slate, please email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com.

On Tuesday, August 9, the 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Convention Planning Committee announced that Berkeleyans had voted to select Nathan Mizell as the final member of the progressive, pro-tenant slate for Berkeley’s Rent Board.  Mizell, who graduated from UC Berkeley in May, is the Chair of the City’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force, Vice-Chair of the City’s Police Accountability Board, and a former Executive Vice President of the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC).

On Sunday, July 31, the Convention Planning Committee and its member organizations put out a call for candidates.  Mr. Mizell and Carolyn Moore, a Berkeley artist, responded to the call to run for the slate. On Saturday, August 6, representatives of the Convention’s 12 sponsoring organizations interviewed the candidates and then submitted their evaluations of the candidates. A ballot was then sent out to voters from the first round of the Convention, along with the candidates’ questionnaire responses and evaluation.  (Paper ballots were once again brought to voters without internet access.)  Voters had through Monday, August 8 to cast their ballot, and ultimately selected Mizell as the final candidate.

Mr. Mizell joins Negeene Mosaed, Soli Alpert, Ida Martinac, and Vanessa Danielle Marrero on the progressive, pro-tenant Rent Board slate.  “I’m honored to join these four remarkable individuals on the slate,” said Mizell.  “Together, we will fight to protect tenants and affordable housing.”

Voting in the Berkeley Rent Board Convention was open to all Berkeley residents at least thirteen years old – including college/university students gone for the summer, undocumented residents and other non-citizens, and unhoused residents – who fully support tenants’ rights and affordable housing.  Hundreds of Berkeleyans voted in this year’s Convention.

Every election year since 1994, the Rent Board Convention selects the progressive, pro-tenant slate for the seats up for election on the Berkeley Rent Board. The 2022 Convention was sponsored by the Berkeley Tenants Union, Friends of Adeline, the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America, the Young Democratic Socialists of America – UC Berkeley, Our Revolution East Bay, Healthy Black Families, Berkeley Citizens Action, the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, the Gray Panthers, the Green Party, SEIU 1021, the Center for Independent Living, and the new Berkeley Progressive Alliance. For more information about the Berkeley Rent Board Convention or the 2022 Rent Board Slate, please email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com.

The Berkeley Rent Board Convention seeks candidates by THIS THURSDAY, August 4 to fill a vacancy on the 2022 Progressive, Pro-Tenant Berkeley Rent Board Slate

Apply here (due this Thursday, August 4)

Notice of Vacancy

This weekend (July 30 and 31), the 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Convention Planning Committee held a series of meetings in which the Planning Committee unanimously voted to remove Della Moran from the 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Slate and remove her endorsement, as well as begin the process of selecting a new candidate to fill the vacant spot on the slate.

The Convention Planning Committee did not come to this decision lightly.  After voting in the 2022 Convention concluded, the Convention Planning Committee was informed that Ms. Moran might no longer live in Berkeley.

After repeated attempts to reach Ms. Moran, the Convention Planning Committee voted to reach out to her one last time to request proof of her Berkeley residency.  (In order to run for or hold public office in Berkeley, an individual must live in Berkeley.)  Ms. Moran responded by stating that she had documentation, but refused to provide the Committee any documentation, or even an address.

Due to Ms. Moran’s refusal to provide the Convention Planning Committee with the requested documentation, the Committee had no choice but to unanimously vote to remove Ms. Moran from the 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Slate and rescind her endorsement.  This decision allows the Committee to invite new candidates to apply for a position on the progressive, pro-tenant slate.

Process of Slating a New Candidate

Due to the rapidly approaching filing deadline (Friday, August 12), the Rent Board Convention Planning Committee will meet this Saturday, August 6 to interview prospective candidates and vote to slate the new candidate. Anyone interested in applying must:

  1. Immediately email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com to coordinate both an interview and the logistics of filing in time (this will likely include visiting the City Clerk’s Office in-person before the weekend to pick up paperwork as a prospective candidate; an appointment will likely be required by calling 510-981-6900.)
  2. Fill out the application form at bit.ly/2022VacancyApplication by THIS THURSDAY, August 4 at 11:59PM.
  3. Attend an interview this Saturday, August 6 (exact time TBA)
  4. Be prepared to finish physically filing with the Clerk’s Office all necessary paperwork to run for office by Friday, August 12.  (An appointment will likely be required by calling 510-981-6900.)

About the Berkeley Rent Board Convention

Every election year since 1994, the Rent Board Convention selects the progressive, pro-tenant slate for the open seats on the Berkeley Rent Board. The 2022 Convention was sponsored by the Berkeley Tenants Union, Friends of Adeline, the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America, the Young Democratic Socialists of America – UC Berkeley, Our Revolution East Bay, Healthy Black Families, Berkeley Citizens Action, the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, the Gray Panthers, the Green Party, SEIU 1021, the Center for Independent Living, and the new Berkeley Progressive Alliance. 

The current members of the 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Slate are Negeene Mosaed, Soli Alpert, Ida Martinac, and Vanessa Danielle Marrero.  (Candidates are listed in random order.)

For more information about the Berkeley Rent Board Convention and the 2022 Rent Board Slate, please email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com.

On Monday, July 18, the 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Convention Planning Committee announced that Berkeleyans have chosen Negeene Mosaed, Soli Alpert, Ida Martinac, Della Moran, and Vanessa Danielle Marrero* as the progressive, pro-tenant slate for Berkeley’s Rent Board.

“Electing these five candidates in November is crucial to protecting and expanding Berkeley’s Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance, which is the biggest factor in working-class peoples’ ability to afford to stay in Berkeley.” said Planning Committee Co-Chair Paola Laverde. “The next Board will be in charge of implementing what could likely be the first expansion of local rent control and eviction protections in Berkeley in over 40 years.”

“We’d like to thank all the candidates, the Convention organizers, and the hundreds of voters who participated in this year’s Convention,” said Planning Committee Co-Chair Matthew Lewis. “We couldn’t have done this without them.”

The 2022 Convention took place the evening of Wednesday, June 29. Voting then took place from Sunday, July 3 through Saturday, July 17. Voting was primarily conducted online using OpaVote to anonymously collect ballots; paper ballots were also made available to Berkeley residents without internet access or who had difficulty casting an electronic ballot. Voting was open to all Berkeley residents at least thirteen years old – including college/university students gone for the summer, undocumented residents and other non-citizens, and unhoused residents – who fully support tenants’ rights and affordable housing.

* Candidates are listed in a random order

Every election year since 1994, the Rent Board Convention selects the progressive, pro-tenant slate for the open seats on the Berkeley Rent Board. The 2022 Convention was sponsored by the Berkeley Tenants Union, Friends of Adeline, the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America, the Young Democratic Socialists of America – UC Berkeley, Our Revolution East Bay, Healthy Black Families, Berkeley Citizens Action, the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, the Gray Panthers, the Green Party, SEIU 1021, the Center for Independent Living, and the new Berkeley Progressive Alliance. For more information, please email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com.

The 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Convention Planning Committee has extended the ballot SUBMISSION deadline by one day to Saturday, July 16 at 11:59PM. This extension applies to requests for both electronic ballots and paper ballots (which are intended for individuals without internet access).

Voting is open to any Berkeley resident at least thirteen years old* – including college/university students who are out-of-town for summer break, unhoused individuals, and noncitizens – who fully supports tenants’ rights and affordable housing. Ballot requests were due Monday, July 11.

Voters should make sure to check both their spam and “promotions” folders to ensure they do not miss their ballot. If you still cannot find your ballot, then please email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com.

* by Saturday, July 16 (i.e. was born on or before July 16, 2009)

Important Links
* Website: berkeleytenantsconvention.net
Email: berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com
Convention Recording: bit.ly/2022ConventionRecording
Candidate Questionnaire Responses: bit.ly/2022CandidateQuestionnaires
Candidate Ratings and Evaluations: bit.ly/2022RentBoardScreenings

Click here to request your ballot

Due to increased volunteer capacity, the 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Convention Planning Committee has extended the ballot request deadline by three days to Monday, July 11 at 11:59PM. This extension applies to requests for both electronic ballots and paper ballots (which are intended for individuals without internet access). (The deadline to submit ballots of any kind is Saturday, July 16 at 11:59PM.)

Voting is open to any Berkeley resident at least thirteen years old* – including college/university students who are out-of-town for summer break, unhoused individuals, and noncitizens – who fully supports tenants’ rights and affordable housing.

* by Saturday, July 16 (i.e. was born on or before July 16, 2009)


Help select the progressive, pro-tenant Berkeley Rent Board slate!  This year, there are FIVE seats up for election in November on the Rent Board.

Every election year since 1994, the Rent Board Convention has selected the progressive, pro-tenant slate for the open seats on the Berkeley Rent Board. The 2022 Convention is cosponsored by the Berkeley Tenants Union, Friends of Adeline, the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America, the Young Democratic Socialists of America – UC Berkeley, Our Revolution East Bay, Healthy Black Families, Berkeley Citizens Action, the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, the Gray Panthers, the Green Party, SEIU 1021, the Center for Independent Living, and the new Berkeley Progressive Alliance.

The 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Convention took place on Wednesday, June 29 via Zoom.  You can watch a recording and then request your ballot!

Any Berkeley resident at least thirteen years old* – including college/university students who are out-of-town for summer break, unhoused individuals, and noncitizens –  who fully supports tenants’ rights and affordable housing is eligible to vote in the Convention.

In addition watching a recording of the Convention, you can also read candidates’ written questionnaire responses and read the sponsoring organizations’ ratings and evaluations of the candidates.

Please consider making a donation to help us cover all of our costs. To donate, go to www.berkeleytenants.org and click the yellow “Donate” button in the upper right corner of the website’s homepage (please type “Convention” in the “Add a message to BTU” line to help the Berkeley Tenants Union distinguish these donations from their membership dues). If you are currently in Berkeley and would prefer to make a donation by cash or check (which lets us avoid paying a transaction fee), you can email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com to have someone come pick up your donation in-person (we’ll do so in a way that maintains proper social distancing).

Anyone who has questions about the Convention – including candidates, voters, or the press – should email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com.

* by Saturday, July 16 (i.e. was born on or before July 16, 2009)

Important Links
* Website: berkeleytenantsconvention.net
Email: berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com
Convention Recording: bit.ly/2022ConventionRecording
Candidate Questionnaire Responses: bit.ly/2022CandidateQuestionnaires
Candidate Ratings and Evaluations: bit.ly/2022RentBoardScreenings
Request an ELECTRONIC Ballot: bit.ly/2022BallotRequest
Request a PAPER Ballot: bit.ly/2022PaperBallotRequest*

* Or call BTU at 510-982-6696; intended only for those without internet access

Convention Timeline
Monday, July 11: Last day to request a ballot
Saturday, July 16: Last day to vote

Click here to request your ballot

Voting in the 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Convention has now begun! Ballot request are due Monday, July 11! Ballots must be submitted by Saturday, July 16. Voting is open to any Berkeley resident at least thirteen years old* – including college/university students who are out-of-town for summer break, unhoused individuals, and noncitizens – who fully supports tenants’ rights and affordable housing.

* by Saturday, July 16 (i.e. was born on or before July 16, 2009)


Help select the progressive, pro-tenant Berkeley Rent Board slate!  This year, there are FIVE seats up for election in November on the Rent Board.

Every election year since 1994, the Rent Board Convention has selected the progressive, pro-tenant slate for the open seats on the Berkeley Rent Board. The 2022 Convention is cosponsored by the Berkeley Tenants Union, Friends of Adeline, the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America, the Young Democratic Socialists of America – UC Berkeley, Our Revolution East Bay, Healthy Black Families, Berkeley Citizens Action, the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, the Gray Panthers, the Green Party, SEIU 1021, the Center for Independent Living, and the new Berkeley Progressive Alliance.

The 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Convention took place on Wednesday, June 29 via Zoom.  You can watch a recording and then request your ballot!

Any Berkeley resident at least thirteen years old* – including college/university students who are out-of-town for summer break, unhoused individuals, and noncitizens –  who fully supports tenants’ rights and affordable housing is eligible to vote in the Convention.

In addition watching a recording of the Convention, you can also read candidates’ written questionnaire responses and read the sponsoring organizations’ ratings and evaluations of the candidates.

Please consider making a donation to help us cover all of our costs. To donate, go to www.berkeleytenants.org and click the yellow “Donate” button in the upper right corner of the website’s homepage (please type “Convention” in the “Add a message to BTU” line to help the Berkeley Tenants Union distinguish these donations from their membership dues). If you are currently in Berkeley and would prefer to make a donation by cash or check (which lets us avoid paying a transaction fee), you can email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com to have someone come pick up your donation in-person (we’ll do so in a way that maintains proper social distancing).

Anyone who has questions about the Convention – including candidates, voters, or the press – should email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com.

* by Saturday, July 16 (i.e. was born on or before July 16, 2009)

Important Links
Website: berkeleytenantsconvention.net
Email: berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com
Convention Recording: bit.ly/2022ConventionRecording
Candidate Questionnaire Responses: bit.ly/2022CandidateQuestionnaires
Candidate Ratings and Evaluations: bit.ly/2022RentBoardScreenings
Request an ELECTRONIC Ballot: bit.ly/2022BallotRequest
Request a PAPER Ballot: bit.ly/2022PaperBallotRequest*

* Or call BTU at 510-982-6696; intended only for those without internet access

Convention Timeline
Monday, July 11: Last day to request a ballot
Saturday, July 16: Last day to vote

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Convention will take place on Wednesday, June 29 from 7-9PM via Zoom. Voting will then take place online (with paper ballots available for those without internet access) through Saturday, July 16. Confirmed sponsors of this year’s convention include the Berkeley Tenants Union, Friends of Adeline, the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America, the Young Democratic Socialists of America – UC Berkeley, Our Revolution East Bay, Healthy Black Families, Berkeley Citizens Action, the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, the Gray Panthers, the Green Party, SEIU 1021, the Center for Independent Living, and the new Berkeley Progressive Alliance.

This year, there will be FIVE seats up for election. Any Berkeley resident at least thirteen years old* (including college/university students, unhoused residents, and non-citizens and other persons ineligible to register to vote) who fully supports tenants’ rights may vote in the Convention. Per law, candidates for the Rent Board must be registered to vote in Berkeley.

Persons interested in running must complete the candidate questionnaire – located at bit.ly/2022CandidatePacket by Sunday, May 22. Screening by representatives of the organizations sponsoring the Convention will occur in late June (likely the week of June 22), so candidates should keep their schedule clear during this window and also get in touch as soon as possible! Anyone registered to vote in Berkeley (including students) is eligible to run for so long as they fully support tenants’ rights.

We encourage folks to mark themselves as “going” on the official Facebook event – which can be found at bit.ly/2022RentBoardConvention – as well as to share the event and invite their pro-tenant friends, neighbors, classmates, colleagues, etc. who live in Berkeley.

Please consider making a donation to help us cover all of our costs. To donate, go to berkeleytenants.org and click the yellow “Donate” button in the upper right corner of the website’s homepage (please type “Convention” in the “Add a message to BTU” line). If you are currently in Berkeley and would prefer to make a donation by cash or check (which lets us avoid paying a transaction fee), you can email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com to have someone come pick up your donation in-person (we’ll do so in a way that maintains proper social distancing).

Additional information about the Convention will be added in the coming weeks. Anyone who has questions about the Convention – including prospective candidates, voters, or the press – should email berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com.

* by Saturday, July 16 (i.e. was born on or before July 16, 2009)

Important Links
Website: berkeleytenantsconvention.net
Email: berkeleytenantsconvention@gmail.com
Facebook Event: bit.ly/2022RentBoardConvention
Candidate Application/Packet: bit.ly/2022CandidatePacket
Convention Zoom Link: bit.ly/2022ConventionZoom
Candidate Questionnaire Responses: bit.ly/2022CandidateQuestionnaires
Candidate Ratings and Evaluations: bit.ly/2022RentBoardScreenings
Request an ELECTRONIC Ballot: bit.ly/2022BallotRequest
Request a PAPER Ballot: bit.ly/2022PaperBallotRequest*

* Or call BTU at 510-982-6696; intended only for those without internet access

Convention Timeline
Sunday, May 22: Candidate questionnaire is due
Early June (likely two dates within 6/4 – 6/11): Mandatory candidate interview
Wednesday, June 29 at 7-9PM: Convention occurs on Zoom
Monday, July 11: Last day to request a ballot
Saturday, July 16: Last day to vote

On Tuesday, December 1, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters published the final update to the results of the November 2020 election. These final results confirmed that the pro-tenant slate for the Berkeley Rent Board – comprised of Leah Simon-Weisberg, Xavier Johnson, Andy Kelley, Dominique Walker, and Mari Mendonca – won all five seats up for election to the Berkeley Rent Board.

The pro-tenant slate’s sweep came in spite of big real estate spending over $100,000 to try to stop them and buy the seats for the Slate’s anti-tenant opponents. Their win represents a crucial victory for all tenants and all Berkeley residents who care about tenants’ rights and affordable housing.

The pro-tenant slate was democratically nominated in July at the largest-ever Berkeley Rent Board Convention. Voting at the Convention was open to all Berkeley residents – including students, undocumented residents and other non-citizens, residents under 18, and unhoused residents – who fully support rent control. Berkeley residents who had temporarily left due to COVID and/or summer break but intended to return to Berkeley as soon at it is safe and/or feasible to do so were also allowed to cast a ballot.