Dear Fellow LWV Members:

Hello Springtime! Hello Solar Eclipse! What else is new? Oh yes, the old is new again. We are facing a Presidential election with some re-run candidates. Hmmm…let’s focus on the other important stuff -- LOCAL North County races this November! Our regional League Advisory Committees are asking us to hold much-needed local candidate forums in most of the cities and towns in North County. Are we ready??!!

Forum training will be available for any member wishing to dig in and assist with this important work. Forum organizing is very engaging. To add a cherry on top, volunteers end up getting close up with the candidates and learning a lot! Sign up to help here.

An important new document has been added to the LWVNSBC website, titled “How Is the Judicial System Organized in California? How are Judges/Justices Appointed or Elected in California?” The 13-page resource from LWV-Santa Clara County will add to your educated voting this season and beyond. All you ever wanted to know about how to evaluate those proposed and renewing judges on the ballot. View the video on our website here.

Quick quiz questions:

What does “Ballotpedia” research?

What is the product that the California Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commission produces?

(Answers at the end of The Voter)

I hope you are enjoying the links we provide to other California LWV resources. You will notice a webinar in the calendar below regarding “Money in Politics” that sounds very interesting. I am so grateful that Zoom allows us to showcase the talent of LWV members throughout our wonderful state.

Hope you're enjoying the Central Coast rolling GREEN hills!

Sincerely,



Virginia

SPRING FORWARD WITH A NEW NAME BADGE

We're updating our badges to reflect our new logo and expanded outreach to all of North Santa Barbara County. Badges are a great way to bring awareness to the work we do when we attend public meetings. Order your badge here or mail your check to LWVNSBC, P.O. Box 1388, Santa Maria, CA 93456. (The cost is $16.)

Think our youth are not engaged in shaping the world they live in? Guess again. Santa Maria High School student members of the Close Up Foundation's Washington D.C. High School Program recently traveled to the Capitol to learn first-hand how our government works. The program is designed to inspire and empower students to become active participants in our democracy.

And they wasted no time putting that knowledge into action. For the second year in a row, the Club held its annual voter registration drive at the school’s Spring Fair event on March 22. The Club once again teamed up with us and Allan Hancock College student ambassadors to bring the event to the student population.

If you like working with youth, please email us here. LWVNSBC has room on the Youth Engagement Committee to reach out to more of the awesome youth in North County !

 Attorney General Bonta Issues Legal Alert Highlighting

Inclusive Education Curricula Amid Nationwide Textbook Bans

California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a legal alert addressed to all California school district boards, county offices of education, and superintendents emphasizing their obligation to provide inclusive curricula, instructional materials, and books that reflect the roles and contributions of California’s diverse population.

This obligation is reinforced by recently-enacted legislation including Assembly Bill (AB) 1078, which expands the right to inclusive curricula and books, and AB 101, which anticipates that, beginning in 2030, all public high school students will complete an ethnic studies course in order to graduate. The announcement comes after Attorney General Bonta, Governor Gavin Newsom, and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond sent a joint letter to all county, district, and charter school officials cautioning against book bans in June 2023.

The LWV incorporated Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in its Bylaws and considers it one of the foundational policies of the organization alongside the Nonpartisan Policy.

APRIL

10: The LWVNSBC's monthly meeting will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (402 S. Lincoln St., Santa Maria). 5:30pm. Join us in-person or on Zoom (for link, email us here). Agenda includes by-laws review, Board Officer Nominating Committee report, DEI training plans, grants update, and more.

11: The LWV-North San Diego is sponsoring a webinar titled “Money in Politics: Current Issues, Possible Solutions,” featuring Brian Adams author of Campaign Finance in Local Elections: Buying the Grassroots, and David Edward Burke, President/Founder of Citizens Take Action. Reducing the role of money’s influence in elections is one of the LWV core issues. 6:30-8pm. To register, click here.

18: The LWV-Greater Los Angeles Valley’s monthly meeting offers presentation on DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) by Immigration Attorney Luis Cortes-Romero, a DACA recipient himself. In 2019, he served as co-counsel in the landmark case DHS v. Regents of the University of California before the US Supreme Court. This case successfully struck down the Trump administration's 2017 decision to end DACA and prevented the en masse deportation of young DACA recipients. 12:30pm. Zoom link available by registering here.

21: The Natural History Museum is hosting an Earth Day Celebration event, “Our Santa Maria River Watershed,” featuring Zoo To You, native plant sale, student Ukulele Band, water conservation pledges and Earth Day Conservation Award 2024, and food prepared by the Evening Kiwanis Club. Noon-3pm; 412 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

MAY

3: Lompoc’s annual Senior Expo is a comprehensive event for older adults and their caregivers to receive health screenings, partake in activities, learn about nutrition and health, connect with resources and experts, and enjoy a health lunch and prize giveaways. Hosted by the Lompoc Hospital District Foundation and a Free Event! 9am-Noon; Dick DeWees Community & Senior Center (1120 West Ocean Ave., Lompoc).

LWVNSBC Volunteer Opportunity: We will be tabling at this event and need additional volunteers to meet and greet attendees. If you enjoy talking with people, this is a fun activity. Email here to set the time and duration of your shift and join us.

4: The North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center (NCRCCPC) invites you to their “Raise Them Up” 50th Anniversary Celebration at Presqu’ile Winery (5391 Presquile Dr., Santa Maria). This casual evening will feature amazing hors ‘oeuvres from Trattoria Uliveto, music, and a live auction. 6-8:30pm. A Silent Auction will be held online May 1-5. For complete details, click here.

9: 8th Annual Social Justice Teach In at Cal Poly. A daylong series of virtual talks and workshops centered around equity and social justice designed to inform and inspire! Keynote speaker is Raquel Willis, an African American writer, editor, and transgender rights activist. Click here for updates and event schedule.

JUNE

8: Calling all current and future members! Our Board is busy planning our Annual Meeting but we need you to make 24-25 a successful year. Bring a friend or family member to help build membership in this all-important upcoming election. Our keynote speaker will be Chris Carson, current LWV-CA President and former LWV-US President. There is no charge to attend and breakfast is included. Just click below and reserve your spot.

Seeking nominees for our Innovative Government Award

Do you know a person or organization who responded to a challenging situation in their community with action which led to a more effective democracy? Use this easy form here to make your nomination. Deadline is May 1.

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. Please become a member, renew your membership, invite a friend, or support us through a donation

by clicking here. You can 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.

Have a friend or family member you think would like to receive our monthly newsletter? Just email us here with their permission and we'll add them to our mailing list. Thanks for helping us get the word out.