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The Voter 12/23/2025

Published on 12/24/2025

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

The official newsletter of the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County.

Vol 67 | Issue12 | Date: Dec 23, 2025

In this issue:

THE LEAGUE SPEAKS OUT

League of Women Voters and SPLC Move to Defend Fair Representation in Census Lawsuit

The League of Women Voters, represented by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), has filed a motion to intervene in Louisiana v. U.S. Department of Commerce. The lawsuit seeks to exclude some undocumented persons and holders of temporary visas from the census count used to allocate congressional seats and Electoral College votes.

The League is intervening to ensure that all residents – not just citizens – are counted to ensure fair representation and equitable distribution of federal resources, as required by the Constitution and federal law.

If the plaintiffs are successful, states with large immigrant populations would be penalized, stripped of congressional seats, electoral votes, and any federal funding tied to population.

"For over a century, the League has fought to ensure every voice is heard in our democracy. This lawsuit is a direct attack on that principle. Excluding people based on immigration status undermines the very purpose of the U.S. Census, which is to provide quality data about the economy and residents,” said Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the US.

See the full statement here.

Women’s Voting Groups Sue DHS Over Registration Barriers

For decades, the League of Women Voters and other nonpartisan civic engagement groups have attended naturalization ceremonies, offering on-site voter registration. The League worked citizenship ceremonies, registering thousands of new voters each year.

Then in August, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) abruptly updated its voter registration policy, barring nongovernmental entities, including the League, from tabling at citizenship ceremonies. State and local Leagues have filed suit against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, claiming the DHS and USCIS are trampling on the League’s First Amendment rights.

Politico is covering this story and explains why the League is suing and how the case is likely to go. See the Politico article here.

LWV Continues the Fight to Protect Voter Information

The League of Women Voters is fighting the Justice Department in several states to protect voter privacy. Most recently in Maine, the League successfully intervened as a defendant in United States v. Bellows. The U.S. Department of Justice sued the State of Maine and its secretary of state, Shenna Bellows, in September for access to Maine’s statewide voter file. That file includes voters’ personal data, such as driver’s license numbers and the last four digits of voters’ Social Security numbers.

Caren E. Short, director of legal and research for the League of Women Voters said. “Every voter deserves the guarantee that their sensitive information is protected from nefarious actors, and the League is proud to fight for the right to privacy for voters in Maine and beyond.”

See the press release here.

Find additional news from LWVUS here.

LUNCH WITH THE LEAGUE

SCOTUS Watch: The Impact of Recent Supreme Court Decisions

📅Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

🕘 Time: Noon
📍 Location: On Zoom | Registration required

Learn about some of the most important cases before the Supreme Court that could affect our community.

Retired Federal Judge Alex Karlin will discuss some of the most important cases before the Supreme Court that could affect our community including: the redistricting of congressional seats, the legality of mail-in ballots, the rights of trans athletes, and the limits of presidential power over the imposition of tariffs. Judge Karlin will provide up to the minute analysis of the issues at stake in these cases and the arguments, pro and con, as presented to the court.

SLO COUNTY LEAGUE CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS

A heartfelt thank you to the League members, guests, elected officials and their representatives who joined us for the LWV SLOCO holiday gathering on Thursday, December 11.More than 60 attendees filled the SLO Farmhouse Market & Wine Lounge with festive energy, enjoying lively conversation and a delicious spread of savory bites, sweets, and drinks. As the photos below capture, it was a wonderful evening of community and celebration.As we look forward to 2026, we wish everyone a holiday season filled with warmth, love, and laughter!

2026 PROGRAM PLANNING MEETING

📅Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026

🕘 Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
📍 Location: United Methodist Church

Join us as we plan our Program for the next two years.We’ll discuss the issues that are most important to our members locally, what we’ve been doing and what more we want to do. We’ll also provide input to the national League as they develop the national program for 2026 – 2028. This meeting is open to League members and non-members.We need to hear from you!

UNITE & RISE 8.5 VIDEO SERIES

As part of its Unite & Rise campaign – an effort to mobilize 8.5 million voters in the runup to the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, the League of Women Voters of the United States has launched the Unite and Rise 8.5 video series now streaming on YouTube.

Hosted by LWVUS CEO Celina Stewart, the series focuses on a critical question: How can Americans effectively stand up and speak to defend our democracy? Episode one introduces the research behind the Unite & Rise initiative. Dr. Erica Chenoweth, political scientist and author of Bread and Roses: Women on the Frontlines of Revolution, examines how community mobilization, nonviolent strategy, and civic engagement are essential tools for protecting democratic institutions today. Episode two discusses the intersection of faith and activism and how spiritual traditions drive political participation. Episode three focuses on young voters, outlining how tangible, youth-led projects can combat youth apathy and build a sense of agency and impact among young voters.

See the video series here ICYMI: Unite and Rise 8.5 Video Series Now Streaming | League of Women Voters.

For more information on the campaign see Unite & Rise 8.5.

SLO COUNTY POINT-IN-TIME COUNT

The 2026 Countywide Point-in-Time Count, also known as the PIT Count, will take place on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 5:30 AM. The PIT Count is a community-wide effort of volunteers, guides, service providers, and government staff to count each person experiencing unsheltered homelessness in San Luis Obispo County. This information, combined with a sheltered count from Homeless Service Providers, creates a comprehensive picture of homelessness in SLO County. The successful implementation of the Point-in-Time Count provides competition for federal homelessness response resources.

All volunteers complete a 2-hour training that provides them with a sample script for administering the survey, day-of best practices including what to wear and where to go, emergency contact information, and directions for utilizing the mobile app on the day of the count.

The last day to register as a volunteer for the 2026 PIT Count is Friday, January 9, 2026.

Find more information and register to volunteer here.

CALL FOR OBSERVER CORPS VOLUNTEERS

All Politics Is Local.
Be There to See It Happen!

Join the LWV Observer Corps

Democracy is built in our own backyards—in our towns, our councils, our schools. When citizens show up, listen, and share what they learn, our communities become stronger and more transparent.

The League Observer Corps is a dedicated team of volunteers who serve as the "eyes and ears" of the public. By attending local government meetings, Observers ensure that leadership remains accountable and that the right to know stays at the heart of our democracy.

What Does an Observer Do?

Attend: Join public meetings in person or online.
Observe: Monitor meetings to ensure there is transparency, accountability and citizen engagement that supports good government.
Report: Summarize key actions and report back to the League to help keep the community informed.

The presence of an Observer reminds decision-makers that the public is watching-and that every voice matters.Stand up for open, responsive government by volunteering to be a League Observer. If you are interested in getting more information or joining the Observer Corp, send an email toobservercorps@lwvslo.org.

ANNUAL FINANCIAL REVIEW REPORT

Financial Review Committee Submits Annual Report For Fiscal Year 2024 – 2025

The Financial Review Committee submitted the bylaws-mandated review of League finances for FY 2024 – 2025 to the LWV SLOCO Board of Directors at the October 16, 2025, Board meeting. The committee, Janice Carr (Co-chair), Straith Smith-Zanartu (Co-chair), and Glenn Silloway, with League Treasurer Wendy Brown serving as a consultant, determined that the financial statements are in order and no material modifications need to be made. The board accepted the report as presented.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LWV SLOCO provides information on upcoming community events which may be of interest to readers of the Voter. Inclusion on the list does not necessarily indicate LWV SLOCO endorsement of the event, or the opinions and actions of the sponsoring organization.

Diversity Coalition
A Fostering Understanding Event
One Year In: The Human Cost of Immigration Repression

Join the Diversity Coalition for a community conversation marking one year of major shifts in federal immigration policy, centering immigrant lived experiences and the voices of organizers, service providers, and experts on the ground.

📅 Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
🕘 Time: 5:30 pm
📍 Location: 864 Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo

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