The Ventura County League is focused on ‘Making Democracy Work’ for the benefit of ALL voters, including our future voters.
The League will post various topics with corresponding source documents and weblinks so you can gather the facts and chart your own efforts to make democracy work for you.
If you have a topic of interest, please forward it to info [at] lwvventuracounty.org and our members will begin the research to post a response.
FAQ’S
How can I spot Mis- and Disinformation
- Your Guide to recognizing Mis- and Disinformation (From LWVUS)
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Think SHEEP from USC Annenberg
- Think Before Sharing from USC Annenberg
Basics of Voting
Who can vote
- Any U.S. citizen age 18 or older may vote, with certain exceptions, such as people who are currently incarcerated for a felony.
- Once registered, prior to each election, voters receive a Voter Information Guide containing their sample ballot and voting location, and, if registered for vote-by-mail, their actual ballot.
- www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources
How to register to vote
- Individuals must register to vote; however, there are several ways to register, including on-line, in person, or through the Department of Motor Vehicles with driver’s license renewals. A physical residence address is required. A mailing address may also be given.
- In California 16 and 17-year-olds may pre-register. If they do, on their 18th birthday they are automatically registered voters.
- Since 2020, voters have been able to register the day of an election at the Elections Office or at a voting center.
- If you move, change your name, or want to change your party affiliation, you need to update your voter information by registering to vote again.
- www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources
How to choose a Political Party
- Political party membership is a choice of every voter. The decision is personal and should be made after consideration and research of the party platforms.
- Voters may change their party at any time by registering to vote again.
- LWVC Guide to Political Parties
- Change Your Voter Registration | USAGov
Voter Education
- Public Education requires civics and history. California students receive U.S. Government education in grades 8 and 12.
www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/allfwks.asp - Local city, county, and state voting and elections are coordinated through the California Secretary of State’s office www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources
Conducting Elections
Who manages and administers elections
- The Elections Division, as required by law, and under the direction of the Registrar of Voters, conducts all Federal, State, County, school and special district elections in the County, as well as the general municipal elections for all 10 Ventura County cities.
- https://recorder.countyofventura.org/elections
How elections are financed
- The cost of holding elections is included in state, county and local government budgets. Costs include personnel, equipment, printing, counting, auditing and certifying the election.
- The cost of conducting election campaigns is not funded by the government. Rather, campaigns are funded by the candidates themselves, political action committees, individual and corporate donors.
What is required to run for public office?
- Running for public elected office is a personal choice. All levels of government have requirements to be met by the candidate.
- The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) was established 1974, with the primary responsibility for the impartial and effective administration of legislation that regulates campaign financing, conflicts of interest, lobbying and governmental ethics.
- https://fppc.ca.gov
The Legislative Process
Track California State Legislation
- The official website of the California State Legislature is accessible to track and trace specific legislation under discussion and passed (or not) by the Assembly and Senate: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- Legislation followed by the League of Women Voters of California: https://lwvc.org/legislationbills/bill-status-report
Track local governments (city, county, school, special districts) policies, ordinances and actions
- The Brown Act has been part of California Government Code since 1953 and guarantees the public’s right to attend and participate in local legislative activities.
- Meeting agendas, and minutes of actions are posted on line and/or made available to the public for all levels of public government agencies.
Track Federal/Congressional Legislation
- Find elected officials recent legislation posted at https://www.congress.gov/legislation
- Direct access to national legislation
2021 Voting
Recall Election Process in the State of California
- California law allows voters to initiate recall elections for any incumbent elected official through a gathering of signatures from registered voters.
- https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/recalls/recall-procedures-guide.pdf
