Letter from the Executive Director

Dear League community,

Spring is arriving with extraordinary urgency for our democracy. At the League of Women Voters of California, we are stepping forward with determination – organizing, educating, and building the coalitions necessary to meet this moment.

Last week, alongside our partners at California Clean Money Action Fund and California Common Cause, we officially launched the campaign for the California Fair Elections Act, which will appear on the November 2026 ballot. This landmark measure will lift the ban on public campaign financing in California and help ensure that everyday Californians, not just wealthy special interests, have a meaningful voice in our elections. For decades, the League has fought to reduce the undue influence of money in politics. The California Fair Elections Act represents one of the most significant opportunities in a generation to make our elections more transparent, more competitive, and more accountable to voters.

Top left: Amaris Lebron (LWVC) and Brittany Stonesifer (CA Common Cause) attend rally at Sacramento Capitol; Top right: Jenny Farrell (LWVC) speaks to Spectrum News;
Bottom left: Jenny Farrell (LWVC) speaks to ABC7; Bottom right: Jenny Farrell and Cynthia Valencia (ACLU) attend rally in Riverside, CA.

At the same time, we are mobilizing as part of an initial coalition of voting rights organizations to oppose a dangerous voter ID initiative that proponents are trying to qualify for the November 2026 ballot. Earlier this week, our coalition showed up in force at a series of press events where the initiative’s backers were submitting their signatures. We used the moment to make clear to voters and the media just how risky this proposal truly is. I gave several interviews to local television stations in Los Angeles, underscoring that this initiative raises serious privacy concerns and would disenfranchise many eligible California voters. You can view all of the media coverage here. Our message is simple: California’s elections are already secure (fun fact: you are more likely to be struck by lightning than you are to impersonate another voter in the United States!) and this initiative will erect new barriers that will prevent Californians (particularly low-income communities, people of color, folks who move around a lot, those with disabilities, individuals who have recently undergone a name change, and many other groups) from exercising their fundamental right to vote. I was honored to be quoted extensively in the LA Times alongside one of my personal heroes, Erwin Chemerinsky, who similarly called the proposal “not only unnecessary, but harmful to democracy”. We will work tirelessly to ensure voters understand what is at stake and to protect the freedom to vote for every Californian.

Finally, our concern extends beyond our state’s borders. We share the alarm expressed by the League of Women Voters of the United States regarding the President’s decision to initiate military action against Iran without prior congressional authorization. The Constitution is clear about Congress’s role in authorizing war, and adherence to that framework is fundamental to our system of checks and balances. We are also deeply troubled by reports that the administration is preparing an executive order that could impose federal control over American elections. Free and fair elections administered by states – protected from partisan interference – are foundational to our democracy.

In moments like this, it would be easy to feel overwhelmed. Instead, I feel energized by the strength of this community. Across our 60+ local Leagues and thousands of dedicated members, we are educating voters, building coalitions, speaking truth to power, and advancing reforms that strengthen our democracy for the long term.

It does not feel like hyperbole to say that our work in defending democracy and empowering voters is truly more important now than ever before. I am grateful to be in this fight with you.

In League,

Jenny Farrell
Executive Director
League of Women Voters of California

Advocacy Update: Legislative & Ballot Action

This year is off to another fast start for the League of Women Voters of California. We are steadfast in defending voting rights and community safety against ongoing assaults on democracy and civil rights.

Promoting Community Safety

One of the first bills we have signed onto in support this session is AB 1537 (Bryan). This measure is critical for promoting local community safety and officer accountability amid ongoing abuses from ICE.

• The Goal: To prevent local and state law enforcement officers from moonlighting for ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, their contractors, or any other federal immigration enforcement operation.
• The Impact: AB 1537 would strengthen community trust by prohibiting local peace officers from serving as immigration agents on the side. Californians should be able to trust that local and state law enforcement officers act in their interest, and people should feel safe reporting crimes, seeking help, and cooperating with law enforcement.

Read our full Letter of Support for AB 1537

The California Fair Elections Act

As mentioned above, work is well underway around ballot measures for the upcoming November general election. Alongside the California Clean Money Action Fund and California Common Cause, we are leading the campaign for the California Fair Elections Act.

• The Legal Path: This measure will be before voters on the November 2026 ballot following the successful passage of SB 42 (Umberg) last year.
• The Details: The measure lifts the ban on public financing of campaigns and allows all cities, counties, districts, and the state to establish campaign financing systems that amplify small-dollar donors and strengthen accountability. It requires strict safeguards, spending limits, and protections for taxpayer funds, but it does not mandate public financing anywhere; it simply restores the power to local communities to decide for themselves.

Read the full Press Release

Opposing the CA Voter ID Initiative

Not only are we working to take big money out of politics, but as Jenny noted, we are also leading the charge in opposition to the dangerous voter ID initiative that proponents are trying to qualify for the November 2026 ballot.

• Our Coalition: In partnership with the ACLU, California Common Cause, the Asian Law Caucus, Disability Rights California, the California Donor Table and others, the League of Women Voters of California is fighting back against this measure.
• The Bottom Line: California already verifies voters at every stage of the process. There is no evidence of widespread voter impersonation or non-citizen voting to justify additional voter ID requirements. This initiative is yet another attempt to disenfranchise voters, specifically harming communities that already face obstacles to voting, and to promote debunked election lies.
• The initiative increases privacy and identity-theft risks by putting ID-related numbers onto election materials. It also adds new barriers to voting that will keep people from exercising their fundamental right to vote and cause ballots to be mistakenly rejected. Finally, the initiative requires citizenship database checks that are prone to error and likely to wrongfully flag eligible voters, including recently naturalized citizens. 

Read the Press Release  View the One-Page Fact Sheet

Be the Power Behind the Policy: Join Our Advocacy Team

The LWVC state Advocacy Team is the engine behind our work at the Capitol, and we need your expertise to keep it strong! Guided by our nonpartisan positions on government, social policy, and natural resources, our team reviews California legislation and ballot measures to determine when and how the League should take action.

We are currently looking for volunteers with expertise in:

• Education (K-14 & Higher Ed)
• Housing & Homelessness
• Criminal Justice
• Immigration
• Health Care
• Voting Rights
• Campaign Finance

While we have analysts in these areas, we need to expand our team to ensure our grassroots effort remains sustainable and effective without overloading our current volunteers.

At the Heart of the Work: Legislative Analysts (LAs)

As a volunteer Legislative Analyst, you will:

• Analyze & Advocate: Review bills and draft formal letters of support or opposition.
• Track Progress: Follow legislation through the process and update analyses as bills are amended.
• Collaborate: Work alongside experienced Position Directors for guidance and mentorship.

What’s Involved?

• Time Commitment: Approximately 4–8 hours per bill for the initial analysis and letter.
• Flexibility: You choose how many bills you take on based on your schedule.
• Support: We provide full training, resources, and mentoring so you can feel confident in your role.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with California’s legislative process while making a tangible impact on the issues you care about. Your research and writing are what make the League’s advocacy credible, respected, and effective.

Join Us Today! The legislative session heats up between March and August, making now the perfect time to get involved. Fill out this form to apply and share your expertise!

Apply Now

Reminder about League Management Site

We encourage all members to regularly utilize the LWVC Members Only site for California-specific guidance, interest groups, and internal toolkits. For a broader perspective, the LWVUS League Management site offers a wealth of nationwide resources, including logos, toolkits, and internal training events.

These are internal resource hubs for League members and are distinct from the public websites at LWVC.org and LWV.org. Please avoid sharing these sites with the public.

Join Our Leadership Team: Board and Committee Vacancies

lwvcboard [at] lwvc.org ()

We are still looking for passionate leaders to help shape the future of the League! The League of Women Voters of California currently has two vacancies on our Board of Directors and is seeking dedicated members to serve by appointment.

We are also still recruiting volunteers for our statewide committees—essential groups that advance and sustain the LWVC mission. If you have a background in any of the following areas, we need your voice:

• Audit: Ensure transparency.
• Development: Fuel the mission.
• Nominating: Find future leaders.
• Voter Engagement: Empower voters.

Whether you want to serve at the Board level or contribute your skills to a committee, your involvement is critical to strengthening democracy statewide.

Interested? Please reach out to us at lwvcboard [at] lwvc.org to learn more or to recommend a fellow member. Thank you for stepping up!

Fun Corner

Welcome to the LWVC’s Fun Corner—your monthly dose of lighthearted civic curiosity. Each month, we’ll mix in a playful activity or a quick recommendation, alongside a thoughtful nudge about why it matters to how we participate in democracy.

This month, we’ve got a quick word search for you, using some of the words found in this month’s newsletter. How fast can you spot the words below? The answer key is below.

WORDS TO FIND:

• Ballot measure
• Campaign
• Committee
• Initiative
• ICE
• Position
• Voter ID

ANSWER KEY: