Dear League Leaders and Members:

Summer’s over, school is back in session, and we are busy with LWV Diablo Valley activities. We have a lot planned for the next few months.

LWVDV members are participants in a panel discussion suggesting ways to build trust and participation in our democracy leading up to the 2024 elections. Check out the webinar details here for information about the national Zoom call on September 19th. A teaser for January – we will have a Community Conversation on Mis- and Disinformation, a real concern leading up to the primaries. Watch for more information on this webinar later in the year.

One of the League’s most important activities is advocacy for initiatives that Make Democracy Work. We have an active Community Outreach committee working to forge stronger relationships with ally partner organizations. We track environmental and climate issues, housing and homelessness, and health care just to name a few. If you are interested in any of these issues, please contact the committee chair by email on our website lwvdv.org.

At the state level, we have an every-member Action Alert from LWVC on Governor Newsom’s call to add California to the states aiming to alter the U.S. Constitution through a Constitutional Convention -- a move that comes without a clear structure or guidelines -- with the goal of adding a constitutional amendment on firearms. The LWV California opposes this move but supports targeted and focused policy action to address gun violence. LWVC believes that a constitutional convention is not the right approach to solving this issue, as it puts every right and civil liberty at risk, without limits or guardrails. Locally, one of Diablo Valley League’s priorities is Gun Safety legislation to get guns off the streets in our communities. We have a newly formed group to address this issue.

September is Voter Registration Month, including a focus on Disability Voting Rights and High School Voter Registration. In addition to Labor Day on the 4th, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on the 15th, Constitution Day is on September 18th, and National Voter Registration Day is on the 19th. We register voters year-round but are already starting to focus on more voter services and activities for 2024.

Our first no-host League luncheon, open to all members and friends, is on Wednesday, September 13th at the Back Forty Texas BBQ in Pleasant Hill. See the event listing for more information.

Thank you, as always, for your support!

Anne Granlund, President
Kathy Gallagher, Vice President