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The VOTER -- MARCH 2025

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in

government. It influences public policy through education and

advocacy. LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity,

 and inclusion in principle and in practice.

LWV: The State of Our Democracy 2025

LWV CEO Celina Stewart, Esq., sent a powerful email message to members, stating “Over the past year, we've learned a lot about democracy: how precious it is, how vulnerable it can be, and how much it depends on our collective power. As CEO of LWVUS, I've seen democracy at work for years. And in 2025, I've also seen it under threat.


"I'm sharing what I've learned, and how we can defend our rights in the days to come, in our 2025 State of Democracy video. Our democracy depends on us. Let's meet this crucial moment together.”

Watch the Video Here
Program Planning Meeting Report

Report by Lisa Thornhill, 2nd Vice President Programs, LWVNSBC


The LWVNSBC held its annual Program Planning meeting on February 23rd at Cubanissimo Cafe in Orcutt. We had 28 attendees and 3 visitors became new members.

 

Our meeting began as I welcomed everyone and introduced our Board Members. Program planning is done by all local leagues on an annual basis to identify 3 issues which we will recommend, in alternating years, to either the National or our State League. In 2025, our League’s suggestions will be sent to our State League for consideration at the State Convention in June, when focus issues for 2025-27 will be decided.

 

Our Committees gave updates on their work to encourage all members to volunteer on a topic of interest.

Membership: Co-Chair Pam Gates introduced committee members – Co-Chair Judy Garrett, Roz Silva, and Colleen Murr. We currently have 62 members. She also went over the new LWVUS web portal, Chapter Spot, which is available to initiate and renew membership.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Chair Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt was not able to attend so I spoke of the work Lawanda tirelessly performs in regard to DEI. Yesterday, as President of the Santa Maria-Lompoc NAACP, she oversaw the Black History Month Event at Allan Hancock College. There were close to 600 participants. DEI is a fundamental policy of the LWV and is included it its bylaws and all local League’s bylaws.

Immigration: Virginia Souza and Rosa Coronado provided information on the Committee’s activities. Rosa has provided the Red Card (Know Your Rights) for the League to make available at all tabling events. It will become part of our local program and recommended for the State Program. Networking is in effect to provide immigrants with information on their rights and safe programs. On February 27th, Virginia and Rosa will travel to Santa Barbara for an event co-sponsored by the LWV Santa Barbara to discuss how we can support our immigrant communities.

Voter Services: joyce ellen lippman rolled out the new “Know Your Community” brochure that was developed with several League members. It covers information about all of North Santa Barbara County public offices, services, and current folks in office with contact information.

 

Next, Past President and longtime member Jennifer Dolan provided some history regarding program planning and how the National and State League positions are used to develop program content. These positions are then published as “Impact on Issues.” The current edition for 2024-2026 can be found on the National website here or purchased on Amazon for $6.99.

 

For our final segment, we went over the Program Planning packet and members broke into groups to identify their most pressing issues. After the breakout, each group reported on their top issue choice to send to the State League and which issues to work on locally.


1. Making Democracy Work

  • Continue to work on voting rights, ensuring easy access and registration to voting
  • Work with our youth, attend their events, and provide tabling with League materials.
  • Attend high school government classes and provide information on the League and the reasons for voting
  • Support State legislature to improve voter rights
  • Letters to the Editor

2. Immigration

  • Support the production and distribution of Red Cards
  • Welcome immigrants, provide information on their rights and safe services
  • Share information with our community via panels, tabling, and/or Letters to the Editor to provide accurate and timely information on local immigration issues

3. Environment

  • Support the decrease and elimination of fossil fuels by supporting legislature that bans further drilling on land and in the ocean
  • Educate our community on water needs and use through expert panels

 

Overall, the meeting was well attended and members were able to network and share contact information. Meeting adjourned at 1:40pm.

LWV Action Alert

The LWV is asking members to contact their Congressional electeds to ask them to oppose the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. After failing to pass in the House last year, the act has been reintroduced. The bill would require citizenship documentation to register to n vote even though voters in every state are already required to affirm or verify their citizenship status when registering.

 

In its press release, the LWV stated that “Americans do not need MORE obstacles to vote. The SAVE Act would create one more barrier to the voting process, as many eligible voters do not have easy access to the necessary documents. Compared to white US citizens, citizens of color are more likely to lack documents such as birth certificates, passports, naturalization certificates, or certificates of citizenship or face difficulties accessing them. SAVE is yet another barrier to voting supported by those who seek to divide us, to limit the franchise, and to prevent citizens from exercising their lawful right to vote. SAVE would effectively end voter registration drives like those conducted by the League and other good government organizations and online voter registration.

 

You can read the full LWV statement and be connected with your Congressional members here.

 

LWV Urges Congress to Exercise Its Authority

 

On the 105th anniversary of its founding, the League of Women Voters sent a letter to Congressional leadership regarding the organization's grave concern over the state of our nation. “Specifically, the League wrote to urge Congress to exercise its authority to protect the rule of law, defend the Constitution, and end the overreach that the Executive Branch has shown in the last few weeks.” Click here to read the letter which outlined the LWV’s concerns and is signed by leadership from every state League and DC affiliate in the country.

Immigration Committee Update

Leagues Join To Host Community Forum on Immigration

 

On February 27, the Santa Barbara and North Santa Barbara County LWVs presented a community forum on “Protecting Our Immigrant Community: How Can Santa Barbara County Help?” A standing room only crowd of 200 attended to hear from a panel of local experts on the rights of immigrant residents in our County.

 

Santa Barbara County Supervisor for the 2nd District Laura Capps opened the event by reassuring attendees that the rights of all community residents would be respected and protected. Capps was also the moderator for a panel consisting of Under Sheriff Craig Bonner; Deputy Public Defender and Immigration Specialist, Onyx Starrett; Primitiva Hernandez, Director of 805Undocufund; and Julissa Pina, CEO of the Immigrant Legal Defense Center.

 

Primitiva Hernandez stated that the 805 Undocufund has set up a Rapid Response line to report Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area (805-870-8855 or text ALERT to that number). Volunteers are needed to respond to calls or to be a witness to any local ICE action. In the week prior to this event, there were 3 incidents -- 2 in Santa Barbara and 1 in Santa Maria. Visit the 805Undocufund website here for further information and to donate.

 

One attendee spoke during the Q&A portion, expressing their fears tearfully about the new federal “registration requirement” or risk deportation. Another asked for a LWV forum in Santa Maria, expressing her opinion that residents are very fearful with little government reassurance. Supervisor Capps supported that idea and the Immigration Committee of the LWVNSBC will discuss this at their meeting on Friday, March 7, at noon. To attend this meeting, email here for location or Zoom link. To read more on the 2/27 event, click here.

Celebrating Women's History Month

March Is Women’s History Month


Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. The National Women's History Alliance designates a yearly theme for Women's History Month. The 2025 theme, “Moving Forward Together,” celebrates "Women Educating and Inspiring Generations." This theme celebrates the collective strength, equality, and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership, shaping the minds and futures of all generations. International Women’s Day is March 8th. Learn more here.

Did You Know?


Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was the first African American woman in Congress (1968) and the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for president of the United States from one of the two major political parties (1972). Her motto and title of her autobiography—Unbought and Unbossed—illustrates her outspoken advocacy for women and minorities during her seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Read about other women who made history here.

New National Membership System

The LWVUS is switching to a new membership system called ChapterSpot for all Leagues across the country. There is no action you need to take right now, but we want to provide you with an overview of what these changes mean.

 

  • When ChapterSpot launches, you will receive an email from LWVUS explaining how to log into the new system and set up your account.
  • When it comes time to renew your membership in 2025, you will receive an email reminder from LWVUS. The new recommended dues amount is $75 but this is not a fixed amount, it’s a pay-what-you-can with a minimum of $20. Scholarships are also available.
  • For those of you who don’t use the internet, you can renew by check (made out to LWVUS) and sent to LWVNSBC, PO Box 1388, Santa Maria, CA 93456.

 

We hope these changes make managing your membership easier. Need Help? Don’t worry -- we're here to help you. If you have questions or issues related to your membership, renewing, and/or donating, please reach out to Membership by clicking here. We will answer your questions and solve any issues you may encounter embracing this new platform.

Volunteer Opportunities

Do you enjoy getting out and meeting new people? Do you believe that voter registration and education are important to maintain our democracy? We are an all-volunteer-led, member-driven, grassroots organization and we depend on a team of dedicated volunteers to carry out our work.

 

Volunteers are what make our work do-able. We have opportunities to work on one-time activities and short-term projects as well as on-going work with committees and leadership. Participate at whatever commitment level you can make, based on your interests and availability. Training and mentoring are provided. Check out what we have coming up.


Contact us here to sign up for these upcoming events.

 

March 7: Noon.

Hybrid meeting; in-person at St. Peter's Episcopal Church (402 Lincoln St., Santa Maria) and via Zoom.

The Immigration Committee will have updates on immigration issues and discuss a possible public forum on this issue.

March 10: 4pm; Orcutt. If unable to attend, please share your suggestions/ideas here.

Join the committee working on the "Know Your Community" publication. Meet at Cubanissimo Cafe (4869 S. Bradley, Orcutt).

Identify potential community education and distribution opportunities for this helpful resource.

March 14: 9am-2pm; 1-2 hour shifts available. Santa Maria.

Santa Maria Valley Senior Expo at Allan Hancock College, Joe White Memorial Gymnasium (800 S. College Dr., Santa Maria)

Tabling to provide voter education and voter registration to attendees.


Ongoing

In-person and/or virtual

Interested in learning more about our Observer Corp or the Santa Maria River Water Agency?