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The Voter 1/16/24

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

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

Vol 65 | Issue 11 | Date: January 16, 2024

In this issue:

INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION UPDATE

Action Alert: Support Formation of an Independent Redistricting Commission in SLO County

Attend this Study Session to learn how an IRC might work to ensure fair representation for SLO County voters

On Tuesday, January 16 at 6 pm, the SLO County Board of Supervisors will hold a Study Session in the Board of Supervisors Chambers to discuss the formation of an Independent Redistricting Commission. The decision to hold this Study Session emerged from the Board’s initial discussion of options for creating an Independent Redistricting Commission, held on September 12, 2023. Staff was directed to draft a proposed ordinance to present at a public Study Session.

We highly encourage League members to attend and participate in this session. The agenda for the Study Session is available here, the staff report on the proposed Independent Redistricting Commission is here, and other meeting materials, including the proposed County Ordinance, are posted here.

Study Sessions are structured differently than regular Board of Supervisors meetings in that the Board will not make motions or vote on decisions regarding this issue. Study Sessions offer the Board the opportunity to hold an in-depth discussion on a specific issue in order to inform future actions. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and make comments.

The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo is in full support of creation of an Independent Redistricting Commission tasked with redrawing the Board of Supervisors district boundaries following each decennial Census. The League’s mission is to defend democracy, protect voting rights, and ensure fair representation. An Independent Redistricting Commission is the best way to ensure that district maps are impartial and free from partisan influence and manipulation. Please click here to read the League’s public comments submitted to the Board for the September 12, 2023 meeting.

We urge you to attend this Study Session to ask questions and let the Supervisors know what you, as a constituent and a voter, think.

What: A study session to review the proposed County Ordinance to create a County of San Luis Obispo Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission.

When: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 6:00 pm

Where: Board of Supervisors Chambers
1055 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

LUNCH WITH THE LEAGUE REPLAY

Can California State Policy Fix the Crisis in Housing?

Watch a replay of ourLunch with the Leaguewebinar about California's effort to increase the supply of housing through public policy.

Watch a Replay Here

Our guest speaker, Ben Christopher, Housing Reporter for CalMatters, reviews the housing policy revolution in California and shares some of the main outcomes before looking ahead to next steps for both state and local jurisdictions.

DISTRICT 5 CANDIDATES FORUMS

2024 Primary Election: March 5
Hear Directly from the Candidates

LWV SLOCO is committed to providing fair, nonpartisan candidates forums that are open to the general public. The candidates forums give voters the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates. We are participating in two SLO County Board of Supervisors District 5 candidates forums.

SLO County BOS District 5

Monday, February 5, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

Atascadero Community Church

5850 Rosario, Atascadero, CA

Livestreamed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@AtascaderoAAUW

SLO County BOS District 5

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Meet & Greet at 5:30 p.m.

Forum starts at 6:00 p.m.

Pavilion on the Lake

9315 Pismo Ave, Atascadero, CA

VOTER SERVICE UPDATE

Vote with the League
2024 Primary Election Ballot Measure Recommendation

VOTE NO on Prop 1: Mental Health Care and Addiction Treatment Reform & Bonds to Build Places for Treatment and Supportive Housing.

LWVC Vote No on Prop 1

Although California has a critical need to resource better mental health and addiction services and to address our crisis of homelessness, the League of Women Voters of California opposes Proposition 1 for a number of important reasons. While the additional housing resources offered through Prop 1 are sorely needed, they do not outweigh its flaws.

Read why the League opposes this measure and watch a pros and cons video here.

League Voter Resources

➤For election news & resources visit CAVotes.org.

➤Have questions about the election or voting? Download the Easy Voter Guide here. It's available in 5 languages (English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese).

North County Poll Workers Needed for March 5^thPrimary Election

The March 5^thPresidential Primary election is quickly approaching and, as always, there is a need for poll workers to ensure that on Election Day every eligible voter can securely cast their ballot. As League members, participation as poll workers goes to the heart of our mission: empowering voters and defending democracy. We are still recruiting members who live in the North County or are willing to serve at a polling place in the North County. Jordan Blaquera will be the inspector and 4 other members have expressed interest in working the polls, however another 4-6 members would be ideal to staff this poll. Each volunteer will work either a half day (6:00 am to 2:00 pm or 1:30 to 9:00 pm) or a full day (6:00 am to 9:00 pm) on March 5. In addition, poll workers are asked to attend a 2 hour training session in February. Election day work is a rewarding experience and a great opportunity to work alongside your fellow league members while serving the voters of San Luis Obispo County. If you are interested and available to join this effort, contact Patti Dale at pollworker@lwvslo.org.

LEAGUE FUNDRAISER ON MARCH 28

A Preview Performance of What the Constitution Means to Me
at San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre on March 28, 2024

What the Constitution Means to Me

A preview performance on March 28

including a social hour

exclusively for League members!

Join other League members on March 28, 2024for a pre-opening viewing of What the Constitution Means to Meat the San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre. Doors will open at 6 pm for a social hour with wine and snacks, followed by the show at 7 pm.

Playwright Heidi Schreck’s boundary-breaking play breathes new life into our Constitution and imagines how it will shape the next generation of Americans. Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious, hopeful and achingly human play, she resurrects her teenage self in order to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives.

This event is limited to League members and a guest. Advance registration is required. Cost: $50 per person. Registration closes when all tickets have been sold. League members, please sign into your Club Express account to register. If you have previously registered to attend, you will be able to register a guest. Register here.

Questions or prefer to pay by check? Contact us atevents@lwvslo.orgor 805-242-6990.

UPCOMING EVENTS & WEBINARS

Webinar: Can We Trust Our Elections? LWV Santa Clara County

Thursday, January 25, 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom

Tommy Gong, Chief Deputy Clerk-Recorder, Contra Costa County, will share his experiences in California voting environments. He serves as an Advisory Board member for the Election Officials Legal Defense Network and has led the efforts of the Coalition of Bay Area Election Officials to collaborate on building trust in elections. Topics will include the voting process, assessing credibility of election processes, trust in government, and positive and negative influences on trust. Who do you trust and why? How can we address and mitigate trust issues?

This program is provided by the League of Women Voters of Santa Clara County, Civil Discourse Committee. Register here.

Speaking Out Against Bigoted, Dehumanizing Rhetoric
Wednesday, January 17 at 6 p.m.

Join the Diversity Coalition virtually on January 17 at 6 p.m. for a Fostering Understanding in Our Community webinar. Hear from Lindsay Schubiner, Director of Programs at the Western States Center and featured in PBS News Hour. Lindsay will be discussing "Speaking Out Against Bigoted, Dehumanizing Rhetoric: WHAT WE CAN DO", a guide created by the Western States Center.

Lindsay will be followed by comments from community members Ahmed Deif from the Mosque of Nasreen, and Rabbi Micah Hyman from Congregation Beth David.

Find more information and register on Zoom here.

The Monday Club Celebrates 100 Years!
January 19 at 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Join The Monday Club on January 19 at 5:30 p.m. for their Centennial Launch Reception - kicking off a year of events celebrating 100 years of service in San Luis Obispo County.

The evening will include:

Curated selection of wines
Hearty appetizers
Living history docent tours
A quick overview of our plans for the year, and more!

This event is free to the community. Please RSVP here.

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.

Visit our website here

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