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June 2024
Local League Information Form
Writing for Pros & Cons
LWVC DE&I Webinars
Program/Advocacy Updates
Post Board Summary
President's Message
It’s summer and we’re all looking forward to some relaxation. Not in the League! The election cycle is just heating up and League at all levels is engaged in carrying out our mission to inform and engage voters and involve all persons in their government. I know that local Leagues are already scheduling multiple candidate forums and taking reservations for Pros & Cons speakers. And they’re working with their local election officials and community partners to Get Out the Vote.
First up is the national convention in Washington, D.C. – always an exciting time, particularly during a presidential election year. Delegates should keep in mind that you are representing your League, not the entire state, when voting or voicing opinions during debate/discussion.
Internally at LWVC, we have some great programs. There will be a webinar on how to write Pros & Cons – for all levels, not just state. We know that there will be some very important measures on local ballots and the League may well be the only provider of accurate, objective information to voters. We are also presenting two webinars on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion which members won’t want to miss.
And as we all prepare for the Fall, I hope everyone can set aside some time to just ‘be’ and enjoy the summer.
Chris
Local League Information Form
It is once again time for your local League to complete the annual Local League Information Form (LLIF). This form helps the State League gather information so we can have accurate contact information for billing and outreach, accurately display your League’s contact information on our website, and subscribe your leaders to important LWVC communication, like this Leader’s Update.
We have made the LLIF much simpler, asking fewer questions this year and allowing you to upload a board roster for this term.
Please have one person per League complete the form by August 1, 2024: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7853578/Local-League-Information-Form-LLIF-2024-2025
Writing for Pros & Cons
Please pass along the following information to anyone in your League who would be interested in learning how to write Pros & Cons – either locally or for the State League.
Are you interested in writing Pros & Cons for your local measures, or writing Pros & Cons for the State League, but are intimidated or unsure about the process?
LWVC First Vice President Carol Moon Goldberg will be leading a training webinar on how to write Pros & Cons for the League! If you are interested in writing Pros & Cons for the state propositions on the November ballot, please contact Sharon Stone at sstone [at] lwvc.org.
Join us on Friday, June 21 at 12:30pm for this important opportunity. Register here today!
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqceCpqz0pG93pp-ysedpAl_IeJ_OKJ8fH
The webinar will be recorded and available for anyone who cannot attend.
LWVC DE&I Webinars
The LWVC DE&I Committee is hosting two webinars this summer. Please share this information with your members!
Training 1: DEI 101: Key Elements of DEI and Why It Matters
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 from 6:00-7:00 PM
Register using this link.
This upcoming webinar focuses on the critical components of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Dr. Ninochka McTaggart will delve into the definitions of these elements and lay the groundwork for understanding DEI basics. The webinar will explore the interconnectedness of these elements and provide a deeper understanding of key terms and concepts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This will empower participants to engage in informed discussions and play a role in fostering inclusive environments.
The beginning of this webinar will be recorded, but we will stop recording during the open discussion session so attendees can feel more comfortable sharing.
Training 2: Inclusive Language Basics and the LWC People First Language Guide
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 from 6:00-7:00 PM
Register using this link.
Dr. Ninochka McTaggart will explain what inclusive language is and the key concepts related to this term. Additionally, there will be a walkthrough of the LWVC People First Language Guide to demonstrate how inclusive language guides can be used to implement inclusive language practices. This guide aims to standardize the terminology used by staff, volunteers, and local Leagues in both advocacy and educational work. The webinar will conclude with an analysis of why inclusive language matters and how it can promote a more positive and cohesive organizational culture. The webinar is designed to assist League volunteers and staff in using people-first language and avoiding terminology with negative connotations.
The beginning of this webinar will be recorded, but we will stop recording during the open discussion session so attendees can feel more comfortable sharing.
Program/Advocacy
Championing Change: California's Sheriff Oversight Group Drives Statewide Push for Accountability and Justice Against Police Violence
In 2019, the LWVC advocated for AB 1185 (McCarty), a bill to make sure civilians have a say in police accountability. After the bill was introduced, our nation witnessed the deplorable murder of George Floyd, and the subsequent national outcry that shed a glaring light on the longstanding incidence of police violence. The protests and calls for accountability brought attention to the extraordinary power that elected county sheriffs hold over law enforcement, conditions of county jails, use-of-force policies, court-ordered evictions, policies related to cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and other areas breeding grounds of injustice.
With the passage of AB 1185 in 2020, California took a monumental step toward establishing transparency and accountability of law enforcement while rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Because the law allows but does not require the creation of civilian review boards, local Leagues and the LWVC’s Sheriff Oversight Group (led by LWVC volunteer Norma Nelson) have been working to educate community members and support the creation of sheriff oversight boards in counties across the state.
This month, the LWVC and the ACLU of Northern California joined forces to co-host the formal kick-off for the California Coalition for Sheriff Oversight. As explained by Stephanie Doute, Executive Director of the LWVC, “Expanding civilian oversight across California is a critical step toward true accountability and justice. This coalition empowers communities to demand transparency and ensures that sheriff departments serve and protect everyone fairly. Together, we are driving a powerful movement to strengthen trust and integrity in law enforcement statewide.” You can watch the recording of the event here.
Four years have passed since George Floyd's murder, yet the fight against police violence persists. The LWVC remains steadfast in its coalition efforts, dedicated to ongoing accountability and justice. To join the LWVC’sSheriff Oversight Group, please contact sjorgensen [at] lwvc.org.
Continuing the Legislative Drive: Upholding Progress and Purpose
There are many other bills that we’ve been working to move forward this session. Here are some key highlights:
- Independent Redistricting in San Luis Obispo County
SB 977 (Laird) will require San Luis Obispo County to establish a Citizens Redistricting Commission to adjust district boundaries in accordance with California’s local redistricting law and the FAIR Maps Act of 2023. The League supports a redistricting process and standards that promote fair and effective representation with maximum opportunity for public engagement. The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County has been deeply engaged in working to ensure the fairness of local redistricting. Last year, they intervened in a 2022 lawsuit regarding the fairness of the Board-approved district boundaries. The resulting settlement required San Luis Obispo County to set aside the adopted map and reconsider alternative maps from the redistricting process, one of which was later adopted. SB 977 has moved through the state Senate and is now moving through the Assembly. Check out our letter of support here.
- Expanding Language Accessibility in Elections
AB 884 (Low) will make voting easier for people who speak languages other than English. California has the nation’s highest proportion of households that speak a language other than English at home and millions of Californians who identify as limited-English proficient (LEP). AB 884 will improve language assistance and require counties to provide translated ballots to smaller language communities. The League will voice its support for this legislation during state Senate hearings. Check out our letter of support here.
- Continuing the Impact of the New Motor Voter Task Force
The New Motor Voter Program has successfully registered nearly 25 million Californians through the Department of Motor Vehicles since its launch in 2018. Much of the program’s success has been accomplished through a partnership between government agencies and voting rights organizations like the LWVC. That partnership was formalized through a task force that is scheduled to sunset in 2025. But the need for the task force will not end in 2025. Several important elements of the law will not go into effect until July 2025, and the task force plays a vital role in monitoring their rollout. Despite the successes of the New Motor Voter program, more than 4.5 million eligible adults in California remain unregistered. This group disproportionately includes youth, people with disabilities, Black and Brown people, those with limited English proficiency, and those with low income. The task force plays a critical role in recommending solutions to facilitate the registration of underrepresented communities. AB 2127 (Berman) is an LWVC co-sponsored bill to extend the operation of the task force for five years to January 2030. The extension would allow the task force to continue its work, avoid the rollback of critical gains that the DMV has made in increasing voter registration and keeping registrations current, and allow us to improve the system to promote more equitable access to voter registration. Read more about the bill in our letter. AB 2127 is currently moving through the Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments and the Senate Transportation Committee.
June 2024 Post Board Summary
LWVC Board of Directors Meetings
May 29, 2024 – Electronic Communication
The LWVC Board of Directors met on May 29, 2024, and acted as noted below.
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Approval of Minutes
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LWVC Regular Meeting Minutes of April 6, 2024, as submitted.
LWVC Conventions – 2025 and 2027
The Board of Directors reviewed and discussed the results of the recent two town hall meetings attended by local League leaders regarding the future of LWVC Conventions. After discussion, the Board took action to hold a Virtual Convention in 2025, and to hold a modified form of an In-Person Convention in 2027.
LEGISLATION AND ADVOCACY
Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act
Following review and discussion of the analysis of the ballot measure and the recommendation of the Legislation Committee, the Board of Directors took action to Oppose the measure. Action now allows early announcement of the position to enable local Leagues to begin education and action on this measure which would substantially lower annual state and local tax revenues.
FINANCE
The Board of Directors was updated on fundraising efforts and results through April 30.
Caroline de Llamas
LWVC/EF Secretary
cdellamas [at] lwvc.org
