|
Serving San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Morgan Hill & Gilroy
September 2025
| |
Celebrating 80 years of service!
1945-2025
| | | |
President's Message
Don't give up on democracy
Psychologists say that one of the best ways to deal with the anxiety and fear that comes with feeling out of control is to take back your power by finding something that you can control.
"I want to do something that makes a difference" is the reason our members most often give for why they decided to join the League. That's a good first step and this newsletter contains a lot of information about League activities that will take you farther down the path to being an effective contributor in protecting voter rights and the other basic tenets of democracy.
The news is filled with examples of how democracy is being challenged in many ways every day. This is a pivotal moment for America and not a time to throw up your hands in despair. You can't resolve the nation's political divide on your own, but you can feel more powerful and in control by taking small actions. Don't give up on democracy. Future generations are counting on us.
With gratitude for your involvement and support of our League,
Diane
Diane McNutt, President
League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara
Diane.McNutt@lwvsjsc.org
Reminder: All League members are invited to attend the monthly Board business meetings, usually held on Zoom on the first Thursday of the month. If you would like to attend, contact me for agenda and link information.
| |
Lunch with League
The Power of Listening:
Uplifting Immigrant Voices
for Community Change
Fr. Jon Pedigo, Executive Director
People Acting in Community Together (PACT)
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, 1400 Parkmoor Ave., San Jose
Real change starts with listening. By centering the voices of immigrants and those most impacted by inequities, we can build deeper connections and stronger communities. This conversation will highlight how compassionate, trauma-informed storytelling opens pathways for action and systemic change.
You may order a boxed lunch from Aqui or register without a lunch at no cost. You are welcome to bring your lunch and everyone should bring their own beverage. Register HERE with or without lunch.
COMING UP OCTOBER 16
"Emergency Response: Making Democracy Work" with special guest Russ Baker, CEO and Editor in Chief of WhoWhatWhy.org, a global nonprofit news organization. He is an award-winning investigative journalist who has reported for many news publications including Newsday, The Christian Science Monitor, Village Voice and others.
| | |
Meet the Candidates
for County Assessor
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 7-8:30 p.m.
Quinlan Community Center
10185 N. Stelling Rd., Cupertino
Candidates for the post of Santa Clara County Assessor will introduce themselves and answer questions at this Forum to help voters decide who to vote for in the Nov. 4 Special Election. The event is presented by the five Leagues of Women Voters in Santa Clara County.
| |
Executive Power
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 7-9 p.m.
Quinlan Community Center,
10185 N. Stelling Rd., Cupertino
- What exactly is executive power – and what did the Constitution intend?
- How have recent executive actions tested the limits of presidential authority?
- Where are the checks & balances? Are they working?
- What role have the courts played in reining in (or enabling) executive overreach?
- Can the concentration of executive power be stopped? How big is the threat to our nation?
| |
Pamela S. Karlan
Professor of Public Interest Law and Co-Director, Supreme Court Litigation Clinic at Stanford University
| | |
David L. Sloss
The John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Professor of Law at Santa Clara University
| | |
Nov. 4, 2025
Special Election
A Special Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, with three important voting decisions on the ballot:
- Select a candidate for Santa Clara County Assessor
- Decide on a proposed temporary sales tax increase in Santa Clara County for health and safety net services
- Proposition 50, Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment
Oct. 6: Vote-by-mail ballots are mailed
Oct. 6-Nov. 3: Early voting available at Registrar of Voters
Oct. 20: Last day to register to vote for Nov. 4 election -- visit registertovote.ca.gov for details
Oct. 25-Nov. 4: Vote Centers are open
Nov. 4: Election Day
| |
League of Women Voters of California
will not take a position for or against
Proposition 50
Proposition 50 on the Nov. 4 ballot is titled "Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment." Click HERE to read the League's statement explaining this decision.
Leagues throughout the state, including our local League, will work hard to ensure that every voter has access to nonpartisan, factual information so they can cast an informed vote. Special elections often have low and unrepresentative turnout. More than ever, it is important for the League to encourage everyone eligible to register to vote and to voice their power at the ballot box.
| | | | Help us register voters at community events | |
The League will have a table at several community events this fall to register voters, answer questions about the upcoming Nov. 4 election, and talk with voters about the importance of voting. If you would like help, please contact Voting Service Co-chair Michelle Fernandez at Michelle.Fernandez@lwvsjsc.org.
Tabling is a fun way to experience new neighborhoods and different groups of people. The recent GalaxyCon at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, pictured below, was a successful outreach event that introduced the League and signed up new voters. Join us!
| |
Interested in public financing of elections?
League members committed to reducing the influence of money in our local elections are invited to join a new League committee that will plan and execute events and forums on public financing in the next nine months.
For the past two years, Board member Roma Dawson has represented our local League in a coalition of nonprofits convened by Common Cause and Working Partnerships to study public financing of campaigns. As a result, our League has received a sub grant of $7,000 from a Evelyn and Water Haas Fund master grant given to Working Partnerships. These funds will be used for public educational activities on this issue.
Money in politics is part of Making Democracy Work, a priority issue for our local League, LWV California and LWV U.S. Click HERE to learn more.
For more information, contact Roma.Dawson@lwvsjsc.org.
| | |
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, center, California state League president Gloria Chun Hoo, right, and Diane McNutt, president of LWV San Jose/Santa Clara, left.
| |
August Lunch with League
hits all-time record
With more than 120 in attendance, the August Lunch with League (LWL) program featuring Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, went into the record books as the largest in-person LWL in its history. Many thanks to Temple Emanu-el for providing its spacious banquet hall to accommodate the crowd and congratulations to the Membership Committee, chaired by Gloria Loventhal and Carol Watts, for organizing such a memorable event.
| |
Surviving in the Brave New World of Artificial Intelligence,
Microtargeting and Disinformation
Thursday, Sept. 25, 7-8 p.m. on Zoom
Artificial Intelligence (AI) -- Is it a danger to our democracy?
Microtargeting -- Are you a victim or a beneficiary?
Disinformation -- Truth and consequences
This interactive workshop will include practice in recognizing manipulation through mis- and disinformation and how to analyze the impacts of AI in real life situations.
Sponsored by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County Civic Engagement Committee. The Zoom link is HERE.
| |
In honor of American's 250th birthday in 2026, LWV of Wisconsin is compiling a national poetry anthology featuring 100 poems by League members from across the country inspired by artist Niki Johnson's Pillars of Democracy (pictured above). They welcome both free verse and traditional forms of poetry that make the reader laugh, cry, reflect, or see the world in a new way. Content should celebrate the guiding principles of democracy: justice, equality, freedom, civic engagement, and the common good and be nonpartisan. The deadline for submission is Oct. 15, 2025. Click HERE for more information.
| | | |
DONATE TODAY
If you are impressed by the League's broad scope of activities and would like to support our work, please consider making a tax deductible donation. There are three easy ways to give.
1 Click HERE to donate online using PayPal or a credit or debit card.
2 Mail a check payable to LWV San Jose/Santa Clara to: LWVSJSC, PO Box 5374, San Jose, CA 95150.
3 If your employer uses Benevity for donation matching, double your impact by searching for "League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara" to make your donation.
We need and appreciate your support.
Thank you!
| | |
SUFFS producer and national League president
discuss history of women's suffrage movement
Rachel Sussman, the lead producer of the Tony Award-winning musical SUFFS will join Dianna Wynn, President of LWV of the U.S. to discuss how the women's suffrage movement inspired the play at a webinar on Thursday, Sept. 18, 1-2:30 p.m.
The conversation will focus on the challenges to voting rights, past and present. Susan will describe the commitment of the SUFFS production to bring to life on stage the passionate American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote.
Register for the webinar HERE. Information on how to access the Zoom webinar will be sent to your email address 24 hours before the program. Audience questions will be collected and answered through the Zoom chat.
| |
Our League will receive $10 for every ticket sold using the promo code LWVSANJOSE -- plus you get a discount on the purchase price. The promo code is valid for all performances of the San Francisco run, excluding Saturday matinees. Click HERE for more information.
| | | | |
