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.

The Voter

December, 2023

President's Letter



When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the ones who planted them. —Chinese proverb

A brief list of things I’m grateful for right now:

Though our landlord raised the rent on our office (understandably—his costs are rising, too), our League is in very solid financial shape.

We still have a couple of worthy local newspapers in our area. It’s more than many towns have. Some of the papers cover local issues and carry calendar notices of our public events without charge.

I don’t believe that our League has ever had a stronger, more diverse, or more competent board. Along with their committee members, they make our League run.

Members keep raising their hands to volunteer, or volunteer more. From housing to voter education, membership management to meeting planning, climate change to redistricting—our members are involved. Which is good because our county and our country need us. (And read Linda Jansen’s “call to arms” in this issue of The Voter.)

We had a good amount of rain last winter and the fire season has been relatively moderate so far.

Once again, we can meet in person and build those face-to-face relationships. We’ve done it throughout this year—with January’s program planning meetings, County League Day in March, May’s Friday Refresh at the office, State League Convention, annual meeting at the San Mateo Library in June, field trips to a community school and Sanchez Adobe during the summer, board planning retreats in July and September. More in-person events are coming in December, January, and through 2024.

Technologies make it possible for us to work together through Zoom meetings, emails, texts, phone calls, and, as always, cards and letters. Yes, it can be bewildering sometimes, but isn’t it great to be so connected? I was able to keep up with some League issues while I was in Japan and 17 time zones ahead of California for two weeks this fall. For that, I’m grateful.

As you reflect on the year now ending, drop me a note at president@lwvncsmc.org to share what you’re grateful for right now.

Margaret Lukens, president

Get involved

Empowering Voters.

Defending Democracy.

We are living in perilous times. This is not a time to cheer from the sidelines. The League’s work has never been more important. I urge you to move beyond your membership dues and work with your local League to make positive change.

National and California Leagues are doing exceptional work: advocating for legislation that matters, litigating where needed, and communicating across all channels about the importance of defending and exercising the right to vote.

This League has important work to do as well. Our community is not immune from the broader forces at work across America. We have experienced uncivil behavior at our candidate forums, we’ve seen our County Board of Supervisors disregard a redistricting map developed by an advisory committee, we have had recall petitions used to take up disagreements instead of relying on scheduled elections. The seeds of culture wars and mistrust of institutions are sprouting up here, too. The League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo County is an organization supremely well positioned to mitigate the damage by educating voters and advocating for change.

Raise your hand and volunteer. Lead if you can. No matter what your interests are, if you want to do more, let us know. We will reach out, talk with you, and find the right fit. 

Volunteering can transform restless nights, anxiety, and handwringing into hope and community.

Please write to info@lwvncsmc.org letting us know about your interest in helping do the important work of your League of Women Voters. 

Linda Jansen, Nominating Committee chair

Program Planning – Save the Date

This winter, Leagues across the country will be participating in Program Planning, our grassroots process for choosing the League Program for 2024–26. National Program Planning always takes place in the year of a national convention.

All LWV action, advocacy, and education efforts are based on League positions and League principles. League action in support of League positions can only be taken in those areas where there is member understanding and agreement. 

We will be holding three identical meetings to discuss our national program and positions:

• Saturday, January 13, two in-person meetings
• Tuesday, January 16, via Zoom from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

One of the in-person meetings will be held in San Mateo and one on the Coastside in Half Moon Bay. Holding meetings at different times allows more people to participate in the planning for the upcoming national election cycle year.

More information will be in the January VOTER, but for now please mark your calendars and save the date! 

Linda Jansen, Program Planning

Alerts from the League - Your Action Can Make a Difference



See the links below to learn about and lend your support to three important pieces of legislation:

• Do not let future generations inherit the climate crisis. Urge your Members of Congress to cosponsor the Children’s Fundamental Rights and Recovery Resolution to address climate change and protect our youth’s rights and future! 
• Inequality hurts everyone. Urge Congress to act now to assert that the ERA is part of the Constitution! Tell Congress to Ensure That the ERA Is Published.
• Tell your Representatives to protect the freedom to vote and support the passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement. Urge Your Representatives to Support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.



Edith Jones, Advocacy and Action

Volunteer Opportunity:

Helping Other-Than-English Speakers

Once in a while, we get a request from a local voter who does not speak English. To serve them better, we’d like to hear from members who speak a language other than English. Could you help us out with translation once in a while? These requests come up seldom, but it would be wonderful to know who among us is proficient in Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin, Arabic, or another language.

Please drop a note to Linda Jansen, our office manager, at info@lwvncsmc.org and let her know your language skills. When our office receives an inquiry, she’ll know who to ask for assistance.

Margaret Lukens, president

In the past, California Leagues offered a ballot planning tool known as VotersEdge. Effective immediately, the League will be using VOTE411.org as their new ballot planning tool. 

VOTE411 will offer voters an even more streamlined and user-friendly experience. As in the past, voters will be able to access non-partisan, factual, and trusted election information online. With VOTE411 voters will also have a variety of features that are more mobile and user-friendly. 

With this change, California will be using the same platform as Leagues in other states. The transition from VotersEdge to VOTE411 will be seamless both for candidates and for voters. As you prepare for the March 5, 2024 primary election and all future elections, remember to look for VOTE411.org!

Kathee Tyson, Vote411 coordinator

Housing Caucus Update

Register here for our next Housing Caucus meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, December 18.

Join us as we continue our discussions on:

• Ask an Expert Series: What other housing-related experts can we invite to our Caucus? Ideas welcome!
• LWVNCSMC Annual Housing event, Spring 2024: Is there interest in hearing directly from those who have been impacted by the lack of affordable housing in our community? How might we design a program around their stories?
• Measure K: Updates on San Mateo County’s Board of Supervisors' latest discussions on 2024–25 Measure K budget proposals.
• Other items: Updates on San Mateo County’s proposed Tenant Protection Ordinance (Video of July 10 Study session) and San Mateo's Red Tag Ordinance.



If you are new to our Caucus, please watch our League’s April 11 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. 

Elana Lieberman, co-chair, Housing Caucus

The Wednesday Caucus

Wednesday, December 27, 10-11 a.m.

This informal meeting is all about conversation and camaraderie. Ask questions, share what you're working on, and gather inspiration.

All are welcome. Register here.

Welcome to Our New Members

Barbara Dye

Diane Zingale

In Memoriam

Janice Elliott

October 31, 2023

Mark Your Calendar

We have a new phone number. You can now contact us at 650.229.8384.

Stay informed

Stay informed with updates and alerts from your state and national Leagues. Use these links to register:

• For California League updates, sent monthly: LWVC    
• For national League updates, sent twice a month: LWVUS (scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for e-mail updates).
• Subscribe to Bay Area Monitor Notes here

Keep an eye on our website, https://www.lwvncsmc.org, for the latest on upcoming events.

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