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in-place order explicitly prohibited us from being able to go door-to-door, but within our brief window of campaigning we demonstrated massive public interest in our campaign. Similarly, in 2018, we garnered substantial public support for our campaign -- we needed 9,854 signatures and we ended up collecting 9,299 signatures. If given the full 180 days this time, we believe we could have met the goal of gathering 10,909 signatures. Due to the global pandemic, we lost 133 days of signature gathering out of the 180 days we were granted. Since the nationwide call limiting gatherings of more than 10 people (March 16th) to our final date to turn in our signatures (July 27th), our ability to gather signatures has been impacted. June 11, we began to have drive-up signature gathering events because the shelter-in-place orders started to relax, but we still could not go door-to-door, residents who were sick could not attend, and volunteers who were immunocompromised could not participate. On July 2nd, one of our drive-up locations had to shut down because of a positive COVID-19 case -- this method has proven to be risky and impractical as many of our volunteers are elderly. In San Benito County, the courts ruled in favor of petitioners who were circulating a petition against an ordinance that the city aimed to pass.3 The courts stated that the petitioners should have that opportunity and understood that the shelter-in-place orders prevented the constitutional requirements from being met. This order granted the petitioners an extension which would begin 30-days after the shelter-in-place orders were lifted. We request that the city council consider extending the deadline to account for the 133 days we could not safely gather signatures during the shelter-in-place orders. Alternatively, we ask that the city council place the ordinance on the ballot -- putting the question to voters and honoring the fact that we have demonstrated public interest. It is clear that this pandemic has impeded our capacity to engage in the democratic process. Directly placing the ordinance on the ballot would most effectively address the impending eviction and housing instability crisis. This has without question w protections. As members elected by the constituents of Santa Ana, we hope that you will address our concerns. We look forward to taking the next steps with you all in making every voice heard. Sincerely, Tenants United Santa Ana 3 https://benitolink.com/court-stops-betabel-rezoning-until-after-state-shelter-order-is- lifted/?fbclid=IwAR1wVtM5swZpKnHb3PI7pjkjq5Zy7lt9j07b6j9iTWRSdfPbsH8MJWU6nl0