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Educating Voters. Defending Democracy.
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.
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Up Front from our President
Personal reflection
I am a consistent voter, but for years I skipped over local offices and ballot measures. I was overwhelmed and had no idea where to get information. It’s a shame, because local government impacts our daily lives more directly, and sometimes more profoundly, than other choices at the top of the ballot.
My earlier experience shows what the League knows so well; having the knowledge and confidence to participate is every bit as important as having the right to vote. We are inundated with news, but it is surprisingly difficult to get reliable information on local elections. Supporting our League strengthens our community and ensures that local government remains transparent and accountable.
Join us September 17
Our League’s role in helping voter’s understand local issues is why I am excited about our upcoming General Meeting. Please join me and Kathee Tyson on September 17. We’ll be speaking about our League’s priorities for the coming year, including what we are doing for the upcoming election, our plans for the LWVUS Transformation, and more information about the study of local government transparency and accountability we introduced in the August Voter. Your involvement helps empower voters and enhance the effectiveness of our local institutions.
September General Meeting
Tuesday, September 17, 7–8 p.m. via Zoom
2024-2025 League Priorities, with a focus on our study of transparency and accountability in local government
Tina Doede, president
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Voter Service work is ramping up for the November General Election. Your Voter Service co-chairs are organizing events for September and October.
Kathy Wheeler is coordinating our League’s efforts for Pros & Cons ballot proposition presentations. We will do a few in-person events for these, but our efforts will go toward two to three virtual P&C presentations that members and the public can attend.
Margie Gater is managing the logistics for local candidate forums. As our League covers 19 cities, plus multiple school and special districts, we will moderate several candidate forums. We have six forums for City Council seats already booked, and we could do as many as 17 forums if resources and time allow. Thank you to those members who participated in candidate forum moderator training. Having more moderators will help us fulfill the many requests for forums. We will also need people to staff forums as ushers and timekeepers.
The Voter Service team will reach out to our regular volunteers and other members who have expressed interest in this work. If you don’t hear from us and are interested in helping, please contact voterservice@lwvncsmc.org.
You can see upcoming election events on our League’s calendar or on our website on the Current Election page.
Margie Gater and Kathy Wheeler, co-chairs, Voter Service
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Housing Caucus
Monday, September 16, 5–6 p.m.
Regular Meeting, via Zoom
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Many who work in our County cannot afford to live here. Join the Housing Caucus, committed to engaging and educating the Local League about our region’s affordability crisis. Register at the link below.
If you are new to our Caucus, please watch our April 11, 2023 General Meeting, Affordable Housing in San Mateo County: Behind the Numbers, to better understand some of the challenges and roadblocks our cities face, as they plan to reach the State's target of 48,000 new housing units--nearly 20,000 of which should be affordable--by 2031.
We meet monthly, on the third Monday at 5 p.m. Next month's meeting will be on October 21.
Elana Lieberman, co-chair
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Climate Change Caucus
Wednesday, September 25, 5–6 p.m.
Regular Meeting, via Zoom
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Click on the link below to register for our next Climate Change Caucus meeting.
Join us as we work to raise awareness and help League members and San Mateo County residents make informed choices on social, political, and personal decisions that impact climate at local and global levels.
We hope to see you then!
Tina Doede, co-lead
Gail Whipple, co-lead
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Save the Date for Our
October General Meeting
Tuesday, October 15
7-8:30 p.m., via Zoom
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Hear the Pros and Cons of the November 2024 Ballot Measures. If the Ballot Measures are a mystery to you, this is a great way to demystify them.
Register at the link below.
Speakers: Gayle Hardt and Kathy Wheeler, LWVNCSMC Voter Service
Eileen Easterbrook, co-chair, Program Planning
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November Book Discussion
Wednesday, November 20
5-6 p.m., via Zoom
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Join us for a book discussion of "Why We 're Polarized" by Ezra Klein.
The country’s polarization affects us all. We see it clearly in the election process and worry about its future consequences. To gain some perspective and have a framework for understanding our election results whatever they might be, it can help to understand how we got to be so polarized in the first place.
Ezra Klein’s book shows how and why American politics polarized around identity in the 20th century and what that polarization did to the way we see the world and one another. And he traces the feedback loops between polarized political identities and polarized political institutions that are driving our system toward crisis.
“A thoughtful, clear and persuasive analysis” (The New York Times Book Review), "Why We’re Polarized" reveals the structural and psychological forces behind America’s descent into division and dysfunction. Neither a polemic nor a lament, this book offers a clear framework for understanding everything from Trump’s rise to the Democratic Party’s leftward shift to the politicization of everyday culture.”
Our book discussion will take place Wednesday, November 20 from 5 to 6 p.m. via Zoom. Click on the button below to register.
Eileen Easterbrook, co-chair, Program Planning
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Big Wave field trip a big success
It was a sun-filled day at the Coast where League members heard about the need for housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and what a group of volunteer parents has planned for their adult children. The Big Wave Project will provide lifelong housing, a sense of community, and access to opportunities. Walking the farm with a staff member and future resident, we saw the flowers, pumpkins, hops, and chickens on display.
League members left with bundles of lavender, greeting cards designed by a future resident, and a better understanding of what people with ID/DD can do and need. A picnic in perfect weather was enjoyed by all.
Eileen Easterbrook, co-chair, Program Planning
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Support Judicial Review of Old Criminal Sentences
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California has recently reformed criminal sentencing. As a result, life without parole (LWOP) sentences imposed decades ago are no longer consistent with modern sentencing that allows for judicial discretion and takes into account mitigating factors.
SB 94 (Cortese) proposes that individuals sentenced to LWOP before 1990 and who have served at least 25 years can have their sentences reviewed by a judge. This bill allows judges to either maintain the LWOP sentence or resentence individuals to a minimum of 25 years to life, prioritizing public safety and victim input. SB 94 can restore hope, incentivizing rehabilitation and educational participation. Click here to tell your Assemblymember to vote YES on SB 94 and be a part of creating a more equitable and redemptive criminal justice system.
Edith Jones, Advocacy and Action
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LWVNCSMC Monthly Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 11, 4–6 p.m., via Zoom
All members are welcome. Click here to join.
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LWVSSMC Fall Kick-Off Meeting
Members of our League are invited to join the League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County for their fall kick-off meeting on Saturday, September 14 at 10 a.m.
Stephanie Doute, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of California, will be speaking. Click here for details.
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Welcome to Our New Members
Maureen Boland
Ari Guelman
Emily Ingrao
Sandy Kraft
Elora Mehta
Brooke Phimsoutham
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Stay Informed
Stay informed with updates and alerts from your state and national Leagues. Use these links to register:
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For California League updates, sent monthly: LWVC
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For national League updates, sent twice a month: LWVUS (scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for e-mail updates).
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Subscribe to Bay Area Monitor Notes here.
Keep an eye on our website, lwvncsmc.org, for the latest on upcoming events.
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Join the League
We love having new members join us and help with the important work we are doing. Click here to join online or print out a mail-in form. Scholarships are available for new members. Please contact us at membership@lwvncsmc.org.
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