Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. | |
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The Voter
The official newsletter of the League of Women Voters of Ventura County.
November 2024
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The 2024 Election is tomorrow. Every election we get the chance to shape our democracy with our vote. Many of our members have worked hard to help our community prepare for the election by participating in voter registration efforts, candidate forums and pros and cons presentations about state propositions on the ballot. Kudos to all of our members who participated in these efforts. Even if you were unable to participate in those efforts, all of us can encourage our family, friends and neighbors to become informed voters and to vote.
We can also urge patience after the election as Democracy is worth waiting for. As we wait for votes to be counted, we know that this waiting period is exactly what should be happening. Election officials are working around the clock to count ALL ballots, and it’s essential that they take the time to make sure every vote is counted. Remember: a complete and accurate ballot count is more important than a fast ballot count. We will not get a complete count on election night, and that's OK — it means our trusted election administrators are counting every ballot. We are grateful to all the election officials, election workers and others who make our elections work. To show our appreciation for our election workers, League members have been signing up to take baskets of snacks to all the Vote Centers around the County.
Finally, we wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving season and are grateful for all of you and for our combined efforts to empower voters and defend Democracy.
Kathy Morgan and Susan Roth
Co-Presidents
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Tomorrow is the General Election! Overall, more than 70 million people are expected to cast ballots. As you prepare to cast your ballot, take a moment to thank our election heroes!
Election heroes take many forms, including poll workers, election officials, and all the staff and volunteers who make our voting experiences efficient and accessible!
Their work is so important that today has been deemed Election Hero Day — a nonpartisan holiday honoring their tireless efforts to keep our democracy running.
Make sure to thank your election heroes when casting your ballot or on social media (use the hashtag #ThankYouElectionHeroes).
Thank you, election heroes!
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Stay informed. Visit VOTE411.org, our award-winning, nonpartisan one-stop-shop for election information.
Discover all your voting options, from early voting to absentee and mail-in voting, to voting on Election Day, and make an election plan that fits your life.
VOTE411.org is the League’s one-stop-shop where you can find all the information you need to cast your ballot. It's virtual, nonpartisan, and available in both English and Spanish. Whether it's local, state or federal, every election is important to ensuring our laws and policies reflect the values and beliefs of our communities. For more information checkout the website using this button.
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When: December 7, 2024
Where: Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant, 1620 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, CA
Menu: Salad; choice of four main entrees; dessert; coffee, tea, or soft drink included.
Cost: $40.00 per person
Time: Mingle 12:00–12:30p.m. (Cocktails available from waiters on a cash basis.)
Lunch served at 12:30 p.m.
RSVP: By Nov. 28th to Pat Butler
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Wednesday, November 6th, 5:30pm - Happy Hour at Aloha Steakhouse, 364 S. California Street, Ventura, CA 93001
Wednesday, November 20th, 5:30pm - Happy Hour on Zoom
Saturday, December 7th, LWVVC Holiday Party at Ottavio's Italian Restaurant, Camarillo - RSVP Here.
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Be a Part of the Greater League
Participate in LWVUS and LWVC. Sign up for Updates and League Groups - Open to all League Members
Join by signing in at: Join an Online Discussion Group and work with other leagues, LWV California staff and LWV US staff.
Additionally, the LWVC has several interest committees - see details below.
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Over the period of one month we held 15 different forums in 9 different cities. Our website has links to the recordings of all of the forums conducted with the exception of the Port Hueneme city council and school board forums, due to technical issues with that recording. These recordings have been viewed by many, many voters which increases the number of voters that we reach. View recordings here.
Much thanks is due to David Maron who not only moderated 14 of the forums, but also found the venues, contacted the candidates and set the calendar. He did a fabulous job and we are very grateful for all of his efforts. We also thank Cheryl Collart who stepped up and moderated one of the forums, as well as all of the volunteers who helped out at the various forums. Some volunteers were present at every single one of them. That is a big effort! We appreciate everyone who helped – Thank you!
We are taking a short break - but Lunch and Learn with the League will return soon. If you have recommendations for future Lunch & Learn topics, please reach out to Kathy Morgan or Pat Essick.
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The nine members of the Pros and Cons Committee have successfully completed 13 in person presentations of the Pros and Cons, explaining the ten ballot measures on the state ballot. Presentations have been given to the Altrusa Organization, The Retired Teachers of California, the residents of the Townehouse of Ventura, to the residents of Aegis Ventura, to residents of Leisure Village in Camarillo, to the residents of Clearwater in Oxnard, to the public in conjunction with the AAUW at the Grant Brimhall Library in Thousand Oaks, to the Soroptimist in Oxnard, to the residents of the Reserve in Thousand Oaks, Temple Beth Torah in Ventura, to Kappa Delta Gamma members in Ventura, to the residents of Belmont Village in Thousand Oaks, and our members at the Fall Meeting in Camarillo.
For those who still would like to learn about the ballot issues we are referring them to the link on our website that takes them to an excellent presentation on YouTube prepared by the San Diego League of Women Voters. Take a peek if you have not yet voted.
The Committee will meet after the Nov. 5 election to review how the Pros and Cons went and to prepare for the next election. The date is TBD.
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Voter Registration Committee | |
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High School, College & Community Events
Contact: Betsy Patterson or leave a message at (805) 303-1476
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In a powerful demonstration of civic engagement, the League of Women Voters of Ventura County reached unprecedented numbers in our Fall 2024 voter registration campaign. Our dedicated volunteers connected with over 3,500 Ventura County students across local high schools and colleges, achieving remarkable results:
- Almost 1,500 new and pre-registrations completed
- 184 students already registered before our visits
- Over 48% registration success rate among eligible students
Beyond the numbers, our program fostered meaningful discussions about democratic participation and civic responsibility. Classroom presentations sparked engaging conversations about:
- The importance of informed voting
- How local elections impact daily life
- The role of young voices in shaping our community's future
The enthusiasm from both educators and students has been overwhelming. Teachers particularly appreciated our non-partisan approach and real-world examples that brought the democratic process to life.
A special thank you goes to:
- Our tireless volunteers who gave their time and energy
- The welcoming schools and teachers who opened their classrooms
- The engaged students who asked thoughtful questions and showed genuine interest
Looking ahead, we're carefully reviewing feedback from all participants to further strengthen this vital program. Our goal remains clear: to ensure every young citizen understands their power to shape our democracy through informed participation.
We will resume training volunteers in the Spring (Jan-Feb) so if you missed this round and are interested, please contact Betsy and Carmen.
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Become an Observer - Ventura County Government Meetings – including the Board of Supervisors
Contact: Carol Lindberg
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The LWVVC Observer Corps observes county and city meetings of governing boards and councils. Please reach out to Carol Lindberg if you are interested in becoming a part of the Observer Corps. You can participate as your time permits and will be providing a great service to the other League members. | |
Here is Carol at the October 29 BOS meeting supporting the LWVVC efforts. | |
Future dates for County Board of Supervisors meetings include: December 10 and 17, and 2025 dates include January 14 and 28, February 11 and 25, and March 11 and 18. | |
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More to come in January 2025.
In the meantime, scholarship donations, of any size, are very much appreciated!! If anyone has questions for us about our meeting or would like to join us, please contact Kay Armstrong.
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4th Thursday of the month, 3:00pm on Zoom
Contact: Wayne Morgan
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In the last meeting of the Climate Change committee, we discussed California bills related to the climate that will become law and those that didn't make it. It made for interesting discussions and informative. Come join in the conversations at the next meeting.
The Climate Change Committee meets at 3pm on the fourth Thursday of the month unless it is a holiday, then meets on the third Thursday. The next meeting is October 24th. For more info, contact Wayne Morgan.
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DEI/Race & Social Justice Committee
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As our committee’s focus is on racial and social justice we looked to see if there were an issue happening in our community that we might research and address.
Please contact Kay with any questions or to obtain a link to a future meeting.
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As chair of of the League's DEI Committee, Laura Hernandez enjoyed the opportunity to join voter registration training at Pacifica High where she learned from fellow leaguers how to teach this important course. I walked away realizing the importance of being a part of this team and look forward to assisting with more classes in the future. | |
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Housing & Homelessness Committee | |
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2nd Sunday of the month, 4:00pm on Zoom
Contact: Sharon Crane
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The Housing & Homelessness Committee invite you to join us at our meetings. We are open to ideas on how we can help in supporting housing of all types as well as prevention.
New developments are continuing to happen in our County. A report by Ventura County Continuum of Care Alliance (VCCOC) delivered to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) of Ventura County was detailed and informative. New developments by the end of 2025 are 272 new units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), 39 new Transitional Housing units for transitional age youth. Utilizing County owned property for rehab projects: Vanguard Drive, Lewis Road and Knoll Drive and Proposition 1 investments. Evaluating publicly owned property for housing. Tenant protections and services: local access to legal services, fair housing services.
Other VCCOC recommendations on new projects and renewal:
- Many Mansions-Rancho Sierra-$255,545, 24 permanent supportive housing (PSH) units for 62 seniors;
- Mesa’s Transitional Housing (TH) and Rapid Rehousing (RRH)for Transitional Age Youth (TAY) 24 youth 18-24;
- Domestic Violence (DV) Rapid Rehousing- Coalition for Family Harmony Bonus $798,372
Also, the Ventura County Sheriff gave a briefing on the Ventura County Sheriff’s Homeless Liaison Unit. Expansion of 10 new positions: 2 Sergeants and 8 Deputies. Half are already on board and the others will be soon. They will be expanding Outreach and Environmental Restoration. They have participated in two dozen Backpack Medicine/Outreach Operations and providing services to over 300 individuals. Assisted in removing over 50 abandoned encampments in watershed properties and throughout the county. Also providing security for outreach staff. Keeping our water sources clean is an issue not widely addressed or thought of as a duty for the Sheriff’s office. Homelessness requires the whole community to be involved. Check out VC Continuum of Care Alliance website-Agenda packets and Reports.
Issues on non-profit reimbursement: Gov. Newsome vetoed two bills-SB1246 & SB36 that would have strengthened Non-Profit payments. Note that any entity with State funding could take six weeks to two months for payment. Meanwhile non-profits are borrowing money and paying interest on that money, which they never get back, to stay open and provide services. Here is a link to a recent article.
Encampment removal continues to be an issue that we are following. Our County is making great efforts in creating and enacting both short and long term plans. We as a county should be in good shape due to these efforts and not have our funding impacted. We will continue to monitor this issue.
Hope to see you at our next Zoom meeting.
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We welcome the following new members:
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Ventura - Rita Carroll, Allison Maires, and Moustapha and Joan AbouSamra
- Oak Park - Peggy Cronshaw
NEW MEMBERS: Please contact any officer, board member, or committee chair to volunteer for the activities that spark your interest. You can be partnered with an experienced member if you like. We will help you learn what you need to know. And please sign up for whatever committees you would like to participate in by contacting the committee chair to be invited to meetings. Do as much or as little as you like. We look forward to your participation.
RENEWING MEMBERS: Many thanks and gratitude to our members who have renewed their membership and to those who have made an additional contribution toward the expenses of operating the LWVVC and towards the scholarship fund.
To join or renew your membership: find our membership form and the online payment option here, or send a check to P.O. Box 6786, Ventura, CA 93006.
Your support is critical!
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Happy Hour – 1st & 3rd Wednesdays
1st Wednesday @ 5:30pm, IN PERSON
Aloha Steakhouse, 364 S California Street, Ventura, CA 93001.
Please RSVP to Matty Park.
3rd Wednesday @ 5:30pm, on Zoom. Please RSVP to Kay Armstrong.
Happy hour events are not just for new members – everyone is welcome, including guests. Join us for an informal conversation about all things LWVVC. Interested in becoming more involved in our mission of "Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy"? Come, learn about what we're doing, and how you can help.
You don't have to be a League member to join us for happy hour. Come for five minutes, the whole hour or anywhere in between. We hope to see you there! You are welcome to attend either or both Happy Hours. Please register with the host in advance. If you would like to have an in-person Meet the Members in your area, please let us know.
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VENTURA COUNTY INFORMATION | |
For all relevant news about the County of Ventura: https://www.ventura.org/ Find out how to view Board of Supervisor agendas, documents, broadcasts, and videos. Connect with County services. | |
ADDITIONAL LEAGUE INFORMATION | |
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The dues rates for 2024-2025 are:
Individual Membership $75.00
Student Membership $25.00
Family Membership $125.00
Associate Membership $25.00
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OR make your check payable to LWVVC and send it to
P.O. Box 6786, Ventura, CA 93006
Membership Scholarships available with the approval of the Board of Directors.
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Donate
Tax deductible donations may be made to:
• General Fund
• Scholarship Fund
• Ann Gist Scholarship Fund
• Ann Gist Voter Education Fund
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OR make your check payable to LWVVC and send it to
P.O. Box 6786, Ventura, CA 93006
If you wish to donate in remembrance of someone, please include their name and a few lines about their life. Please specify the fund you want to support.
Thank you
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Raise Awareness of the League
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Wear a LWVVC Shirt and show your support.
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL - in either blue or black
Donation of $20.00 or more requested.
Please contact: Karen Savitt
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