SACRAMENTO – This week a broad coalition of tens of thousands of app-based drivers, small businesses, public safety leaders, community groups and on-demand rideshare and food delivery platforms will start signature gathering efforts to qualify the Protect App-Based Drivers & Services Act for the November 2020 California statewide ballot. The campaign, which is supported by more than 27,000 drivers and growing, expects to collect well in excess of the 623,212 valid signatures required to qualify the measure.

The measure would protect drivers’ ability to continue to work as independent contractors with flexibility over when, where and how long they work – while providing drivers with new earning guarantees and historic benefits for on-demand workers. The measure is needed to protect the availability and affordability of app-based rideshare and food delivery that millions of Californians rely on every day.

“I work fulltime as a cook at a homeless shelter and drive rideshare when it’s convenient for me. This ballot measure would protect my ability to make this extra income I need on my terms,” said Lorraine Hanks, a Lyft driver who lives in San Francisco.  “Recent legislation could threaten this flexible way to earn money by forcing me to become an employee – which doesn’t work for me. I’m excited to sign the petition, spread the word to all my passengers and do whatever I can to make sure we pass this in November.”

Los Angeles driver Jack Kinney said: “Passing the ballot measure is very important to me. I need flexibility so I can prioritize the things that matter most to me: caring for my wife who is a cancer survivor and spending time with my six grandchildren. No other work allows me to earn money whenever I want, work as long as I want and take days – or even weeks – off when I need to. We’re ready to go to take our issue to the voters and are confident they’ll pass it.”

In addition to the flexibility app-based rideshare and delivery services provide for drivers, these services also reduce impaired and drunk driving, improve mobility for seniors and the disabled, and provide new transportation options for families who cannot afford a vehicle. These services also provide convenient and affordable restaurant and grocery delivery services that help connect consumers and small businesses.

“Fathers Against Drunk Driving strongly supports this ballot measure because it will keep rideshare services affordable and accessible,” said Robert Ybarra, founder, Fathers Against Drunk Driving. “One thing we know for certain is that on-demand rideshare services help take impaired drivers off our roads and protect public safety. Without this ballot measure, we risk disrupting the on-demand rideshare model – where sober drivers are available for people when and where they need a ride at a moment’s notice, especially late at night when they’re most needed.”

The campaign is committed to qualifying this measure for the November ballot and is confident the voters will approve this measure to protect app-based drivers and services.