You’re invited to the August 25th matinee for the must-see play,

“The Agitators” by Mat Smart.

When young abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony met in New York in the 1840s, they formed an unlikely friendship around seemingly common goals. Smart’s historical play of rebellion and revolution reverberates powerfully in our America of today.

Reserve your seats now. Tickets are $50 each and additional donations requested to support our fall candidate forums, voter education, and Get Out The Vote campaign in North Santa Barbara County.

Doors open at Noon for charcuterie and conversation before a 1pm prologue with Director Mark Booher and 1:30pm curtain. PCPA (800 College Dr., Santa Maria).

Please send your check to LWVNSBC, PO Box 1388, Santa Maria, CA 93457 or purchase online online here by clicking on the Donate button.

DON’T MISS THIS EXCITING EVENT

Next the First Annual Making Democracy Work: Founders Award was presented to Rosa Coronado. A longtime educator, Rosa provides free classes to those seeking U.S. citizenship, mentoring over 200 individuals with an amazing 100% success rate on their citizen exams.

Elected Directors for 2024-2026: D.E.I./Legislative Director - Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt; Membership Co-Chairs: Pam Gates and Judy Garrett.

2025 Nominating Committee: Janet Blevins and Joyce Howerton (as non-Board members to the Nominating Committee, joined by a Board member).

Continuing Directors through 2025: Appointed Director: Communication/Phone: Colleen Murr; Elected Directors -- Communications/Website: Roz Silva; Communications/Newsletter: Pam Gates.

The following Bylaws Amendments were also approved by members: Article 1, Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of North Santa Barbara County. Article VI, Section 2: Members shall pay dues in accordance with LWVUS policy. Membership lasts for one year after joining or renewal. Members who fail to renew within the period specified by LWVUS will be removed from the roster.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber has certified the following list of statewide measures that qualified for the ballot. To read the full descriptions, click here. More information also available on the CalMatters website here (CalMatters is a nonpartisan and non-profit news organization).

Proposition 2: Education finance: school facilities: Kindergarten Through Grade 12 Schools and Local Community College Public Education Facilities Modernization, Repair, and Safety Bond Act of 2024.

Proposition 3: Marriage equity. Reaffirm the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Proposition 4: Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024.

Proposition 5: Local government financing: affordable housing and public infrastructure: voter approval.

Proposition 6: Slavery. End indentured servitude in state prisons.

Proposition 32: Raises Minimum Wage. Initiative Statute. This measure extends existing law requiring annual wage increases ($1/yr) to California’s minimum wage until it reaches $18/hr.

Proposition 33: Expands local governments' authority to enact rent control on residential property. Initiative Stature. This measure would repeal current state law and prohibit the state from limiting the right of cities and counties to maintain, enact, or expand residential rent-control ordinances. 

Proposition 34: Restricts spending by health care providers meeting specified criteria. Initiative Statute. Requires certain health care providers to spend 98% of revenues from federal discount prescription drug program on direct patient care.

Proposition 36: Allows felony charges and increases sentences for certain drug and theft crimes. Initiative Statute.

All of the campaign committees that have organized to support or oppose propositions and ballot measures on California's statewide ballot are available here, click here.

The 56th Biennial LWVUS National Convention, “Turn Up and Turn Out,” took place in Washington, DC, June 27-30. Over 1,200 League members, board members, and staff from all 50 states, DC, and the Virgin Islands participated in person and virtually. Every two years, the LWVUS convenes a convention of delegates from every League to elect officers and directors for the national board, adopt a program and budget for the next biennium, and conduct other business that advances its mission.

On June 27, 230 League members went to Capitol Hill to advocate for the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Across the House and Senate, League members attended over 120 meetings with elected members and their staff. In all, 20% of Congress heard directly from the League in one day!

There was much to celebrate at the June 18th

Santa Barbara County Supervisors Meeting

Left: Supervisor Laura Capps presented a Resolution proclaiming June 19, 2024, as Juneteenth in Santa Barbara County. Accepting on behalf of the celebration held in Lompoc on June 15 were members of Santa Maria-Lompoc NAACP and C4 (Collective Cultures Creating Change). Left to right: Yasmin Dawson, Angie Bolden, Supervisor Capps, Joann Green, Sara Macdonald, and Denise El Amin.

Right: Santa Barbara County Supervisors Steve Lavagnino and Joan Hartmann presented Rosa Coronado (center left), LWVNSBC newest member, with a Resolution of Commendation honoring her contributions to the community. Also pictured, 1st VP Alison Wales. Congratulations, Rosa!

JULY

10: Monthly LWVNSBC Board Meeting. All members welcome. 5:30pm Zoom meeting. Click here to email for Zoom link.

11: This month’s selection by the LWV Santa Barbara Overbooked Book Club is “The Heaven on Earth Grocery Store,” by James McBride. 1:30-3pm. Registration is not required. For Zoom link, click here.

24: Join the Fund for Santa Barbara and the Independent Living Resource Center for a two-hour workshop exploring how the disabled community has mobilized for policy change to address accessibility obstacles. Engage in conversation with local activists and members of the disabled community, and learn how peers can move into strong allyship. 10am-12pm. To register, click here.

AUGUST

14: Monthly LWVNSBC Board Meeting. All members welcome. 5:30pm Zoom meeting. Click here to email for Zoom link.

15: This month’s selection by the LWV Santa Barbara Overbooked Book Club is “Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence,” by Anita Hill. 1:30-3pm. Registration is not required. For Zoom link, click here.

25: We are hosting an exciting fundraiser and social event -- The Agitators by Mat Smart, a must-see play about the unlikely friendship between Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. The funds raised through your ticket purchase and donation will go toward our fall candidate forums, voter education, and campaign TO GET OUT THE VOTE. Noon-3pm at PCPA (822 College Dr., Santa Maria). Come early for charcuterie and beverages. Tickets $50 each and please consider a donation to support our candidate forums. Please send your check to LWVNSBC, PO Box 1388, Santa Maria, CA 93457 or purchase online here by clicking on Donate button.

Our Voter Service and Program Committees are busy planning for the election cycle -- from voter registration tabling events to candidate and proposition forums in multiple North Santa Barbara County locations to inform and educate voters like you.

Won't you join us? We have much work to do and need your help. You can become a member, renew your membership, invite a friend, or support us through a donation

by clicking here. Pay online or mail your check to LWVNSBC, P.O. Box 1388, Santa Maria, CA 93456. Scholarship funds are available and dues are waived for students of any age.

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