LWVC - The Legal Fights Have Begun
When we see efforts to suppress votes, we act. When we see attempts to narrow voting options during this pandemic, we act. When we hear false claims that California's secure elections process is compromised, we act. You can act.
We cannot allow partisan lawsuits to risk disenfranchising California's voters. Voting is not a partisan issue - it is a fundamental right. At one of the arguably most critical times in recent history, and in the middle of a deadly global pandemic, every voter must have the opportunity to cast a safe, secure ballot.
That's why the League of Women Voters of California, along with other voting rights advocates, have filed motions to intervene in two lawsuits which both seek to prevent mail-in ballots from being automatically sent to all registered California voters for the November general election and attempt to cast California's vote by mail as rampant with fraud.
Not on our watch.
And not on your watch! By contributing to the League of Women Voters of California, you make sure political games do not disenfranchise voters. Whether you can contribute $10, $100, or more - your donation works to guarantee safe, accessible elections for all Californians.
We are protecting voters in the courts. We are protecting voters in the legislature, by working and advocating on bills to protect broad vote by mail and in-person voting access. We are protecting voters with the Governor's office and Secretary of State, offering data informed recommendations on how to hold an election in the COVID era to enfanchise all of California's diverse voters. Your donation today allows us to continue to protect California's voters on all fronts.
Thank you for being a part of the crucial work to protect voters rights.
In solidarity,
Stephanie Doute, CAE
Executive Director
League of Women Voters of California
PS - As you know, defending democracy is bigger than just voting rights! (As if that's not big enough!) We also took legal action on threats to California's public redistricting process. We cannot allow delays in the census caused by COVID-19 to jeopardize California's transparent process for creating well considered, fairly drawn maps. The League filed an amicus brief to extend the redistricting deadline. You can act and help defend democracy, today.
We cannot allow partisan lawsuits to risk disenfranchising California's voters. Voting is not a partisan issue - it is a fundamental right. At one of the arguably most critical times in recent history, and in the middle of a deadly global pandemic, every voter must have the opportunity to cast a safe, secure ballot.
That's why the League of Women Voters of California, along with other voting rights advocates, have filed motions to intervene in two lawsuits which both seek to prevent mail-in ballots from being automatically sent to all registered California voters for the November general election and attempt to cast California's vote by mail as rampant with fraud.
Not on our watch.
- "Right now, voters--especially those in high-risk categories--are weighing how to keep themselves safe while they exercise their right to vote. These same voters are the one who traditionally struggle with fair ballot access. We cannot allow political games to drown out the voter's perspective. Voters must be the priority as we head into another important election." - Stephanie Doute, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of California
And not on your watch! By contributing to the League of Women Voters of California, you make sure political games do not disenfranchise voters. Whether you can contribute $10, $100, or more - your donation works to guarantee safe, accessible elections for all Californians.
We are protecting voters in the courts. We are protecting voters in the legislature, by working and advocating on bills to protect broad vote by mail and in-person voting access. We are protecting voters with the Governor's office and Secretary of State, offering data informed recommendations on how to hold an election in the COVID era to enfanchise all of California's diverse voters. Your donation today allows us to continue to protect California's voters on all fronts.
Thank you for being a part of the crucial work to protect voters rights.
In solidarity,
Stephanie Doute, CAE
Executive Director
League of Women Voters of California
PS - As you know, defending democracy is bigger than just voting rights! (As if that's not big enough!) We also took legal action on threats to California's public redistricting process. We cannot allow delays in the census caused by COVID-19 to jeopardize California's transparent process for creating well considered, fairly drawn maps. The League filed an amicus brief to extend the redistricting deadline. You can act and help defend democracy, today.
Public Meetings
City Council
Each agenda will have information on how members of the public can participate. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube, and live on the Midpen Media Center website. Members of the public who wish to participate by computer or phone can find the instructions here.
Watch the live stream on YouTube
View the city calendar
School Board
Board meetings will be accessible to the public by internet or telephone. Meetings will be broadcast on local cable television, live-streamed on the internet, and video recorded for playback. Visit Midpen Media Center for details. Public comment opportunities will be available through the virtual meeting. Meeting access instructions are provided on the PAUSD website.
Human Relations Commission
Until further notice, meetings of the Human Relations Commission will be held by teleconference. Regular meetings are at 7:00 pm on the second Thursday of each month and are cablecast live on Government Channel 26. Each agenda will have information on how members of the public can participate. Agendas and minutes are available in the lowermost portion of the HRC webpage, To ensure participation in a particular item, we suggest calling in or connecting online 15 minutes before the item you wish to speak on.
Please check the Schedule of City Meetings for exact dates, times and location.
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Pursuant to the provisions of California Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, issued on March 17, 2020, certain meetings of the Board of Supervisors and Board Policy Committees will be held by teleconference only. No physical location will be available for these teleconference meetings; however, members of the public will be able to participate in the meetings as noted below, and online streaming will continue as normal in the following forms:
Agenda Portal: Board of Supervisors
YouTube Channel
Live Audio Stream
For Public Comment Instructions, see this page.
Each agenda will have information on how members of the public can participate. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube, and live on the Midpen Media Center website. Members of the public who wish to participate by computer or phone can find the instructions here.
Watch the live stream on YouTube
View the city calendar
School Board
Board meetings will be accessible to the public by internet or telephone. Meetings will be broadcast on local cable television, live-streamed on the internet, and video recorded for playback. Visit Midpen Media Center for details. Public comment opportunities will be available through the virtual meeting. Meeting access instructions are provided on the PAUSD website.
Human Relations Commission
Until further notice, meetings of the Human Relations Commission will be held by teleconference. Regular meetings are at 7:00 pm on the second Thursday of each month and are cablecast live on Government Channel 26. Each agenda will have information on how members of the public can participate. Agendas and minutes are available in the lowermost portion of the HRC webpage, To ensure participation in a particular item, we suggest calling in or connecting online 15 minutes before the item you wish to speak on.
Please check the Schedule of City Meetings for exact dates, times and location.
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Pursuant to the provisions of California Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, issued on March 17, 2020, certain meetings of the Board of Supervisors and Board Policy Committees will be held by teleconference only. No physical location will be available for these teleconference meetings; however, members of the public will be able to participate in the meetings as noted below, and online streaming will continue as normal in the following forms:
Agenda Portal: Board of Supervisors
YouTube Channel
Live Audio Stream
For Public Comment Instructions, see this page.
Celebrating 50 Years of Earth Day - key points
Jessica Jones Capparell
4/22/2020
2020 marks 50 years of celebrating Earth Day, a day meant to generate action to protect the planet.
How you can celebrate 50 years of Earth Day
1. Contact your elected officials and tell them we need to do more to protect the planet.
2. Volunteer with a local organization that is addressing environmental or climate change in your own community.
3. Change your personal habits and take responsibility for your carbon footprint.
4. Vote for officials at all levels of government who believe that we need to take action, supported by our governments, schools, and communities to change how we fight climate change.
5. Use the LWVUS toolkit for climate action to find additional ways that you can take action in your own communities.
4/22/2020
2020 marks 50 years of celebrating Earth Day, a day meant to generate action to protect the planet.
How you can celebrate 50 years of Earth Day
1. Contact your elected officials and tell them we need to do more to protect the planet.
2. Volunteer with a local organization that is addressing environmental or climate change in your own community.
3. Change your personal habits and take responsibility for your carbon footprint.
4. Vote for officials at all levels of government who believe that we need to take action, supported by our governments, schools, and communities to change how we fight climate change.
5. Use the LWVUS toolkit for climate action to find additional ways that you can take action in your own communities.
Study finds universal vote-by-mail doesn't provide advantage to either GOP or Democrats
BY ZACK BUDRYK - 04/16/20 12:24 PM EDT
Although most opposition to implementing a nationwide vote-by-mail option has come from Republican circles, such a system would not advantage either major party, according to a study from Stanford University’s Democracy and Polarization Lab.
Several states, including Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Utah, have mail-in voting as an option, while California gives individual counties the option to implement it. With public health experts recommending against large gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic, advocates have called for the expansion of mail-in voting.
As most states phased the system in on a county-by-county basis, researchers compared results in counties that adopted a program to those within the same state that did not. They did not measure any partisan effect.
“By comparing counties that adopt a vote-by-mail program to counties within the same state that do not adopt the program, we are able to compare the election outcomes and turnout behavior of voters who have different vote-by-mail accessibility but who have the same set of candidates on the ballot for statewide races,” they wrote.
Comparing county-level election results and public party registration data for California and Utah voters ranging from 1996 to 2018, researchers found “a truly negligible effect” on partisan turnout rates with the addition of a vote-by-mail option, with turnout slightly up across the entire voting-age population.
“Vote-by-mail causes around a 2-percentage-point increase (estimates range from 1.9 to 2.4 percentage points) in the share of the voting-age population that turns out to vote,” the study says.
Although earlier studies have had similar results, the Stanford research “permits a stronger research design than was previously possible and ... our data set runs through the 2018 midterm elections, allowing for the most up-to-date analysis available,” the authors wrote.
Opponents of voting by mail have frequently argued it would disadvantage Republicans. President Trump, one of its most vocal opponents, has said it would mean “you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again,” and Georgia House Speaker David Ralston (R) said it would be “extremely devastating to Republicans and conservatives in Georgia,” according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Although most opposition to implementing a nationwide vote-by-mail option has come from Republican circles, such a system would not advantage either major party, according to a study from Stanford University’s Democracy and Polarization Lab.
Several states, including Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Utah, have mail-in voting as an option, while California gives individual counties the option to implement it. With public health experts recommending against large gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic, advocates have called for the expansion of mail-in voting.
As most states phased the system in on a county-by-county basis, researchers compared results in counties that adopted a program to those within the same state that did not. They did not measure any partisan effect.
“By comparing counties that adopt a vote-by-mail program to counties within the same state that do not adopt the program, we are able to compare the election outcomes and turnout behavior of voters who have different vote-by-mail accessibility but who have the same set of candidates on the ballot for statewide races,” they wrote.
Comparing county-level election results and public party registration data for California and Utah voters ranging from 1996 to 2018, researchers found “a truly negligible effect” on partisan turnout rates with the addition of a vote-by-mail option, with turnout slightly up across the entire voting-age population.
“Vote-by-mail causes around a 2-percentage-point increase (estimates range from 1.9 to 2.4 percentage points) in the share of the voting-age population that turns out to vote,” the study says.
Although earlier studies have had similar results, the Stanford research “permits a stronger research design than was previously possible and ... our data set runs through the 2018 midterm elections, allowing for the most up-to-date analysis available,” the authors wrote.
Opponents of voting by mail have frequently argued it would disadvantage Republicans. President Trump, one of its most vocal opponents, has said it would mean “you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again,” and Georgia House Speaker David Ralston (R) said it would be “extremely devastating to Republicans and conservatives in Georgia,” according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
League Advocates to
|
|
April 2020 Statement from the League of Women Voters of California
The League of Women Voters of California has fought for voting rights and to remove barriers to civic participation for 100 years. The challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic are unique but not insurmountable. For the last few weeks the League has been collaborating daily with the Secretary of State’s office, elections officials, and other good government and civil rights groups to develop plans that will ensure California voters are able to make their voices heard, safely and equitably, in November’s election.
The League, in coalition with a number of other organizations,* is advocating for a set of recommendations to achieve a successful presidential election. We believe that all registered California voters should be provided a vote-by-mail ballot. However, despite its importance as a vehicle to address the pandemic, vote-by-mail is not a solution for everyone. Many communities are unfamiliar with the vote-by-mail process and many people need in-person options for a variety of reasons -- including getting assistance, registering and voting on the same day, and being able to cast a ballot with confidence in the manner that the voter is accustomed.
The League is particularly mindful that voting by mail holds the potential to disenfranchise communities of color, youth, language minorities, people with disabilities, people with low income, and those who are unhoused, housing insecure or geographically mobile. Changes to our voting process must be done in ways that will protect voters who are already underrepresented in our democratic system.
“Advocates, counties, and the state government are all working diligently to determine the changes necessary for the November elections and to begin implementing those modifications.” said Stephanie Doute, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of California. “Our recommendations are geared toward maintaining the integrity of our democracy, fostering the voting rights of historically underrepresented communities, and designing a safe, healthy election for all eligible Californians.”
In addition to maintaining robust in-person options while simultaneously sending every registered voter a ballot, we are advocating for: maximized use of ballot drop boxes to expand voting opportunities and reduce lines at in-person locations; transparency and solicitation of public comment on election changes to ensure that community voices are factored into each county’s planning; and the allocation of significant resources for public education and engagement, with a focus on communities that do not traditionally vote by mail.
*Our coalition of advocates include the American Civil Liberties Union of California, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - LA, California Common Cause, Disability Rights California, League of Women Voters of California, Mi Familia Vota, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, NextGen, and Voting RIghts Lab.
ABOUT THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA:
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, 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 men and women of all ages. With 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s most trusted grassroots organizations.
Want to help us do more work like this?
Donate today!
The League of Women Voters of California has fought for voting rights and to remove barriers to civic participation for 100 years. The challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic are unique but not insurmountable. For the last few weeks the League has been collaborating daily with the Secretary of State’s office, elections officials, and other good government and civil rights groups to develop plans that will ensure California voters are able to make their voices heard, safely and equitably, in November’s election.
The League, in coalition with a number of other organizations,* is advocating for a set of recommendations to achieve a successful presidential election. We believe that all registered California voters should be provided a vote-by-mail ballot. However, despite its importance as a vehicle to address the pandemic, vote-by-mail is not a solution for everyone. Many communities are unfamiliar with the vote-by-mail process and many people need in-person options for a variety of reasons -- including getting assistance, registering and voting on the same day, and being able to cast a ballot with confidence in the manner that the voter is accustomed.
The League is particularly mindful that voting by mail holds the potential to disenfranchise communities of color, youth, language minorities, people with disabilities, people with low income, and those who are unhoused, housing insecure or geographically mobile. Changes to our voting process must be done in ways that will protect voters who are already underrepresented in our democratic system.
“Advocates, counties, and the state government are all working diligently to determine the changes necessary for the November elections and to begin implementing those modifications.” said Stephanie Doute, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of California. “Our recommendations are geared toward maintaining the integrity of our democracy, fostering the voting rights of historically underrepresented communities, and designing a safe, healthy election for all eligible Californians.”
In addition to maintaining robust in-person options while simultaneously sending every registered voter a ballot, we are advocating for: maximized use of ballot drop boxes to expand voting opportunities and reduce lines at in-person locations; transparency and solicitation of public comment on election changes to ensure that community voices are factored into each county’s planning; and the allocation of significant resources for public education and engagement, with a focus on communities that do not traditionally vote by mail.
*Our coalition of advocates include the American Civil Liberties Union of California, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - LA, California Common Cause, Disability Rights California, League of Women Voters of California, Mi Familia Vota, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, NextGen, and Voting RIghts Lab.
ABOUT THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA:
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, 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 men and women of all ages. With 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s most trusted grassroots organizations.
Want to help us do more work like this?
Donate today!
The Equal Rights Amendment: What Happens Now?
JESSICA JONES CAPPARELL
1/30/2020
On January 27, 2020, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The League of Women Voters has supported and pushed for ratification of the ERA since it was first passed by Congress in 1972. Leagues across the country have worked to engage lawmakers and organize at the grassroots level to ensure equal rights for all, regardless of sex, is enshrined in the US Constitution. Now that the amendment has passed the 38-state threshold for ratification, several questions have arisen about its path to final enshrinement.
What is the process for ratifying a constitutional amendment?The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) oversees the constitutional amendment process. Once a joint resolution is passed by Congress, it is sent to NARA Office of the Federal Registry (OFR) for processing and publication. Then, it goes to the states for ratification, where it is sent through the state ratification process. Once a state ratifies the amendment, it sends a certified copy of the action back to OFR, who retains the documents until an amendment passes or fails. All final documents are sent to NARA for preservation.
What happens now that Virginia has ratified the ERA?The state of Virginia will send a certified copy of the resolution to NARA where it will be examined to ensure it is sufficiently legal and that an authorizing signature is affixed. As Virginia is the final state needed to ratify the amendment, the Archivist can now proceed with final certification of the amendment. Final certification is done through a formal proclamation, signed by the Archivist. In the past, Presidents and others have observed the signing. It is not the job of the President to sign the certification of the amendment.
I’ve heard some states have rescinded their approval of the ERA. What does that mean?The National Archives follows the procedures of the Secretary of State, who was in charge of formal proclamations on constitutional amendments until 1950. According to the National Archives: “The Archivist does not make any substantive determinations as to the validity of State ratification actions, but it has been established that the Archivist's certification of the facial legal sufficiency of ratification documents is final and conclusive.” This means that, once a state has sent their certified copy of their ratification action to NARA and NARA has formally certified it, a state cannot rescind its ratification action.
I’ve heard there was a deadline for ratification set when the ERA passed. What does that mean?When the ERA was first passed, Congress inserted a timeline for ratification in the preamble of the amendment for seven years. This was later extended three more years. Ratification of the ERA was three states short after the second deadline passed in 1982. The deadline for ratification leaves some ambiguity around whether the amendment can be added to the constitution, but Congress can play a role in removing that ambiguity.
Is there legislation in Congress to remove the deadline?Legislation introduced in both chambers of Congress will remove the deadline for ratification from the Equal Rights Amendment. H.J. Res. 79 and S.J. Res. 6 are the two pieces of legislation that have been introduced to remove the ratification deadline. Both pieces of legislation have been referred to the Judiciary committees. H.J. Res. 79 was passed out of the House Judiciary Committee on November 13, 2019, and is scheduled to be heard on the floor of the U.S. House the week of February 10, 2020. The Senate resolution has bipartisan support but has not had a hearing.
What about court challenges to ratification or the removal of the deadline?Several legal cases have emerged in the South to support invalidating the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. It is important to note that the states bringing these cases are not ratifying states, and it is questionable whether they have standing to do so.
What can I do to help support efforts to move this legislation forward? Check out our action alert, where you can contact your Representatives today and ask them to vote Yes for H.J. Res. 79 and remove the ERA’s ratification deadline so that the ERA becomes law.
1/30/2020
On January 27, 2020, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The League of Women Voters has supported and pushed for ratification of the ERA since it was first passed by Congress in 1972. Leagues across the country have worked to engage lawmakers and organize at the grassroots level to ensure equal rights for all, regardless of sex, is enshrined in the US Constitution. Now that the amendment has passed the 38-state threshold for ratification, several questions have arisen about its path to final enshrinement.
What is the process for ratifying a constitutional amendment?The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) oversees the constitutional amendment process. Once a joint resolution is passed by Congress, it is sent to NARA Office of the Federal Registry (OFR) for processing and publication. Then, it goes to the states for ratification, where it is sent through the state ratification process. Once a state ratifies the amendment, it sends a certified copy of the action back to OFR, who retains the documents until an amendment passes or fails. All final documents are sent to NARA for preservation.
What happens now that Virginia has ratified the ERA?The state of Virginia will send a certified copy of the resolution to NARA where it will be examined to ensure it is sufficiently legal and that an authorizing signature is affixed. As Virginia is the final state needed to ratify the amendment, the Archivist can now proceed with final certification of the amendment. Final certification is done through a formal proclamation, signed by the Archivist. In the past, Presidents and others have observed the signing. It is not the job of the President to sign the certification of the amendment.
I’ve heard some states have rescinded their approval of the ERA. What does that mean?The National Archives follows the procedures of the Secretary of State, who was in charge of formal proclamations on constitutional amendments until 1950. According to the National Archives: “The Archivist does not make any substantive determinations as to the validity of State ratification actions, but it has been established that the Archivist's certification of the facial legal sufficiency of ratification documents is final and conclusive.” This means that, once a state has sent their certified copy of their ratification action to NARA and NARA has formally certified it, a state cannot rescind its ratification action.
I’ve heard there was a deadline for ratification set when the ERA passed. What does that mean?When the ERA was first passed, Congress inserted a timeline for ratification in the preamble of the amendment for seven years. This was later extended three more years. Ratification of the ERA was three states short after the second deadline passed in 1982. The deadline for ratification leaves some ambiguity around whether the amendment can be added to the constitution, but Congress can play a role in removing that ambiguity.
Is there legislation in Congress to remove the deadline?Legislation introduced in both chambers of Congress will remove the deadline for ratification from the Equal Rights Amendment. H.J. Res. 79 and S.J. Res. 6 are the two pieces of legislation that have been introduced to remove the ratification deadline. Both pieces of legislation have been referred to the Judiciary committees. H.J. Res. 79 was passed out of the House Judiciary Committee on November 13, 2019, and is scheduled to be heard on the floor of the U.S. House the week of February 10, 2020. The Senate resolution has bipartisan support but has not had a hearing.
What about court challenges to ratification or the removal of the deadline?Several legal cases have emerged in the South to support invalidating the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. It is important to note that the states bringing these cases are not ratifying states, and it is questionable whether they have standing to do so.
What can I do to help support efforts to move this legislation forward? Check out our action alert, where you can contact your Representatives today and ask them to vote Yes for H.J. Res. 79 and remove the ERA’s ratification deadline so that the ERA becomes law.
