Dear neighbor,

The holiday season is here! This weekend many of us will be dressing up in costumes to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos. While you decide on your spookiest costume or prepare an altar in honor of your dearly departed (or both), I'd like to share some tips so you can keep all your superheroes, little ghosts, Catrinas and Catrines safe. As you know COVID-19 is still a risk throughout our country so these autumn festivities may be a little different this year, but you can still have plenty of fun while prioritizing your health and safety.

To keep our communities safe and healthy, the California Department of Public Health recommends finding a safer alternative way to celebrate this year and strongly discourages trick-or-treating. Click here to find safer alternatives to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to avoid in person gatherings and events with members outside your household that could put you and your loved ones at risk of exposure to COVID-19. Regardless of how your family chooses to celebrate this year, please keep the following in mind: wear face coverings, practice physical distancing, wash and sanitize hands often, avoid mixing households and stay home if you are sick or you are in a high-risk group.

LA County and the California Department of Public Health have released guidance for Halloween and Día de los Muertos to help make these festivities fun and safe. Check out LA County's guide here and CDPH's guide here.

Election Day is coming up soon! We are only 4 days away, so I want to make sure you have all the information you need to cast your vote this year. For quick and important voting information for Los Angeles County please visit LAVote.net or call (800) 815-2666. Also, here are some quick Q&A's with links to the information you may need:

• I don't know if I'm registered to vote, how can I check my voter status?
• I missed the deadline to register to vote, can I still vote in this election?
• Where's my ballot?
• How can I vote?
• How can I find my polling place to vote in person on Election Day?
• Can I get paid time off to go vote on Election Day?
• I have a disability, what accommodations are available for me at polling places?

On a last note, please remember to wear a mask, keep six feet apart, wash your hands often and do not gather with others outside your household and if you have any questions about celebrating safely or about voting, please reach out to my office at (562) 256-7921.

All my best,

Lena Gonzalez
33rd State Senate District