Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. |
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The official newsletter of the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County.
Vol 66 | Issue 7 | Date: Sept 7, 2024
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In this issue:
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REDISTRICTING UPDATE: SB 977 | Legislature Approves Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission
for San Luis Obispo County
On August 27, Senate Bill 977 to establish an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission for SLO County passed its last hurdle in the State Assembly and was sent to the Governor for his signature. He is expected to sign it before the September 30 deadline. Once signed, the measure will go into effect on January 1, 2025, and beginning with the 2030 – 2031 redistricting cycle, a citizens commission and not elected officials will draw the lines for supervisorial districts in our county.
For a good summary of the ramifications of a CRC for district elections see this August 30, 2024 article from the Tribune here.
For more information on the legislation view the June 17, 2024 Lunch with the League webinar “The Future of Redistricting in SLO County – SB 977” here and visit the redistricting page on our website here.
The enactment of SB 977 is a vital first step. Next will come the implementation – the adoption of rules and procedures for the CRC and the selection of commissioners, beginning in 2029. The League will have an important role to play to ensure that the SLO County Citizens Redistricting Commission works the way it is supposed to.
| | Atascadero Unified School District Trustee
Candidate Forum
Monday, September 30, 6 pm
Atascadero United Methodist Church
11605 El Camino Real, Atascadero
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How to Effectively Communicate Your Ideas and Be Heard at Public Meetings
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
6:30-8:00 pm
SLO Public Library Community Room
This forum is free and open to the public.
Register here to receive event reminders. | | | Presented by the Civil Discourse Committee of the League of Women Voters San Luis Obispo County. | |
LWV SLOCO COMMENDS THE TRIBUNE | LWV SLOCO Commends the Tribune "Reality Check" in Letter to the Editor
In an August 12 letter to the editor, the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County commends The Tribune for publishing “How a SLO County meeting descended into misinformation — and why it’s dangerous” on August 1. This much needed Reality Check presented the facts on voting in our county – the ballot tabulating machines used, the security measures in place, and the need for extra time to process the vote-by-mail ballots. It must be noted that SLO County voters have overwhelmingly embraced voting by mail with 90% of voters choosing that option even though they can still vote in person if they choose to do so.
Read the original Tribune article here and our entire letter to the editor here. | |
LATINO VOTER ENGAGEMENT PROJECT
| Latino Voter Engagement Project Kicks Off
The Latino Voter Engagement Project is a new collaboration between Cal Poly Communication Studies faculty members Victoria Zamora, PhD and Marion Winrow-Hart PhD and student interns, the SLO County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, the SLO County League of Women Voters, and other community groups. Its goal is to increase Latino voter engagement and access to civic services by providing critical information and necessary resources on voting rights and other civic services and bridging the gap between the SLO County Clerk-Recorder’s Office and the Latino community. The end goal is for all Spanish-speaking residents of SLO County to be able to fully participate in the democratic process and more actively engage in shaping their future in San Luis Obispo County.
To further the goal of this project, the League recently received Community Grant funding from Supervisors Dawn Ortiz-Legg and Bruce Gibson. The $3,000 grant will assist with costs associated with procuring event sites, refreshments, and event materials. The events listed below have been confirmed. Spanish-speaking members are especially needed but all members are welcome to participate in these events. The team is also looking for donations of coloring books and materials for children of the participants, If you are interested in participating in these events or have art supplies to donate, please contact Julie Rodewald at voterservice@lwvslo.org.
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Date
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Place
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Time
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| 9/10 |
Atascadero Library |
4:30-7:00 pm |
| 9/11 |
Nipomo Library |
4:00-6:00 pm |
| 9/15 |
Hispanic Heritage Festival
Downtown City Park Paso Robles |
2:00-5:00 pm |
| 9/18 |
San Miguel Library
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4:00-6:00 pm |
| 9/02 |
Oceano Elementary |
4:00-6:00 pm |
| 9/24 |
Cambria Library |
4:00-5:30 pm |
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9/25
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San Luis Obispo Library
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3:00-6:00 pm
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The League extends our thanks for Drs. Zamora and Hart for including the League in this important project and many thanks to Supervisors Ortiz-Legg and Gibson for their financial support.
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VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATES | Voter Registration Kicks Off at Cuesta College
 Voter registration started off with a bang at Cuesta College August 27-28 when League volunteers Chris Payne, Lisa Lewis, Suzan Boatman, Bill Coleman and Julie Rodewald greeted students at both Cuesta College campuses with the question “Are you registered to vote?” Much to their delight the majority of students they spoke with were already registered and planning to vote on November 5. The voter registration teams accepted 14 completed voter registration cards and assisted other students in registering or checking their voter status on-line. The volunteers were encouraged to talk to so many students who are actively engaged in the process this year. | High School Voter Registration Competition
In partnership with the County Clerk-Recorder’s high school registration competition, teams of League members will visit local high schools between September 16 and 30. As in the past, the League will present students with information about the history of voting, non-partisan voter resources, and the importance of one vote. For the first time, we will encourage students to register to vote online and to participate as pollworkers in the upcoming election. School visits are planned for San Luis, Nipomo, Paso Robles and Morro Bay high schools as well as the Grizzly academy. Plans to visit Lopez, Mission Prep, Pacific Beach, New Tech and Templeton high schools are in the works. The goal of the County Clerk-Recorder’s competition is to register or pre-register every student 16 years of age or older in the county. League members are proud to be a part of this effort.
| Upcoming Voter Registration Events
In conjunction with National Voter Registration Day on September 17, League members will offer voter registration opportunities at Cuesta College on that day and again on October 10. In a new effort, Lush, a downtown SLO store offering fresh handmade cosmetics and bath products, has welcomed the League on September 21 to provide voter registration opportunities to their customers. This is a great opportunity for the League to encourage customers and other visitors to the Downtown Center to register to vote and become engaged in the election process.
| League Expands Adopt-A-Poll Presence
Under the able leadership of Jordan Blaquera as Inspector, the League is expanding our Adopt a Poll presence into North County. We are partnering with the AAUW of Atascadero to ensure we have a full complement of poll workers to perform all the duties on November 5th. If you have worked in past elections you will soon receive an email from the Inspectors at our polls in Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, and South County. Working at the polls is a great way to learn more about the election process and to serve the voters of our county. You also get the opportunity to work side by side with League members in this important duty. If you are interested in serving the voters as an Adopt a Poll volunteer contact Patti Dale at pollworker@lwvslo.org.
| | ~~~ You're Invited! ~~~
Virtual Cocktail Hour
September 25 at 5 pm
Both League members and non-members are invited to join us on Zoom for a casual hour of cocktails (or mocktails) and conversation. This is a great way to meet other League members, express your thoughts, and ask questions. RSVP to receive reminders or just drop in using the link on the event page here.
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KUDOS FOR LWVC FROM CALMATTERS | LWVC Among Most Effective Advocacy Organizations in CA
From the League of Women Voters of California: A June CalMatters analysis (see the article here) identified the League of Women Voters of California as the third most effective advocacy organization in the state, achieving 85% of our desired policy outcomes during this legislative session so far. The League rises to the top in effectiveness because we are grassroots and we stand firmly in advancing equity for all people. Each day, we fight for equity across voting rights, government transparency, affordable housing, racial justice, climate, environmental justice, and criminal justice reform (and much more!). In total, the LWVC has taken a position on 101 bills this legislative session. |
League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County
The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to people 16 years and older, of all gender identities. With over 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations.
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