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Serving the people of San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Morgan Hill & Gilroy
November 2020
The VOTER
President's Message from Carol Watts
Election wrap-up and what's on the horizon
Finally! This election, which began in January of 2019 with the first announcement by a presidential candidate, has now been called by the media. 
 
Thank you all for voting!!!! You may check that your vote was counted. If you find it was not, the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters will tell you why and you may be able to correct the issue. We applaud the wonderful job they have been doing to provide us an accurate voting process.
 
THANKS TO OUR VOTER SERVICE TEAM!
We were so pleased to help prepare people to cast an informed vote.  Please see our special thank you below to the many League volunteers who worked on Candidates Forums, Pros & Cons events, and getting people registered to vote. A huge thanks to all of you!!!
 
BALLOT MEASURES PASSED!!
Our local League recommended a YES vote on Measure G (Increasing the powers of the Independent Police Auditor plus other changes to the City Charter) and Measure T (Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority Parcel Tax). We are pleased that both of them passed overwhelmingly.  
 
The League of Women Voters of the Bay Area urged a YES vote on Measure RR (CalTrain Sales Tax) which also passed. 
Virtual Lunch With League
"Nonprofits Respond to Covid Crisis"
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, 12 noon
A Zoom Online Event

Kyra Kazantzis, CEO of Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, will discuss how local nonprofit organizations are coping with the impacts of the Covid-19 crisis -- on themselves and the people they serve. She will also describe how the challenges of 2020 could transform nonprofits and what individuals can do to support their work.

Register for Virtual Lunch With League HERE
Donations support year-round work
of the League

Please consider making a tax deductible charitable contribution to help fund our work. Find out how HERE

We want to thank our most recent donors for their investment in our mission -- Martha Beattie, Mary Collins, Janet Hagquist, Beth Hughes, Sandy Mory, Kathleen Muller, Alan Pintacura, Paula Radzinski, and Russell and Laura Smith.
Community Dialogue on Regional Decisions
Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-12 noon
The League of Women Voters Bay Area (LWVBA) – the inter-League organization for the San Francisco Bay Area – is hosting an educational forum entitled “A Community Dialogue on Regional Decisions” on Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 am to 12 noon via Zoom. There is no cost for the forum. 
 
Register HERE. Details will be posted on our Facebook page. LWVBA is committed to receiving feedback from our 20 local leagues. If you have questions or suggestions, contact Roma Dawson LWVBA Housing Director.
 
This forum is designed to provide important information on decisions regarding regional planning, housing and transportation and their impact on local communities including:
·     Plan Bay Area (PBA) 2050 and
·     Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) 
·     Sustainability: Interconnection of transportation, climate change and housing
 
LWVBA is beginning a series of forums and welcomes your ideas for future topics.
Thank you for a job well done!
As always, the League offered multiple voter education services during election season -- 6 Candidates Forums, 18 virtual live and one recorded Pros & Cons sessions and Voter's Edge among others. Thousands of voters used these programs to help make informed decisions on their ballot choices.

Our ability to provide this valuable information relies on the excellent work of volunteers and, with gratitude, we say a huge THANK YOU to these individuals:

Candidates Forum Team led by Sandy Mory
Moderators: Gloria Chun Hoo. Rosaleen Zisch
Timers: Marie Arnold, Diana Borrison, Mary Collins, Judy Chamberlin
Question sorters: Julia O’Keefe, Judy Conner, Robin Hayr, Mary Collins
Zoom: Carol Watts, Judy Conner
Support and planning: Sara Nicolson, Martha Hull, Trudy La France
Santa Clara PTA: Anna Garcia, Karen Hovey
Greenbelt Alliance and friends: Justin Wang, Betsy Majos, Kiyomi Yamamoto, Kristi Gary and Jeff H.
Somos Mayfair: Flor De Leon-Jacobo, Dilza Gonzalez, Andrea Portillo, Claudia Coello, Elizabeth Sanchez, Laura Aguirre, Cherrilynn Pirir, Araceli Sandoval, Pam.Gudino

Pros & Cons Team led by Martha Beattie
Speakers: Ann Clarke, Connie Hunter, Pat Reardon, Vickie Mueller-Olvera
Observer: Taryn Upchurch
Moderator for CreaTV: Julie O'Keefe
Writer: Vicki Alexander

Voter's Edge Team led by Judy Conner
Candidate Contact: Susan Gore

Liaison with Registrar of Voters -- Sara Nicolson
The League in action -- protecting Coyote Valley
Since 2004, the League has advocated for the protection of Coyote Valley as a unique resource for sustainability and resiliency to climate change. A recent vote by the San Jose General Plan Task Force to change the use in North Coyote Valley from industrial development to open space and agriculture is a huge achievement and a step towards protecting all of Coyote Valley. The action still needs to be approved by the Planning Commission and City Council, and you can be sure that the League will be a vocal supporter when the time comes.

Learn more about Coyote Valley and other League activities related to climate change by contacting Vicki Alexander. Learn more about the League's positions on a number of local issues HERE
Save the date!
Please note Tuesday, Dec. 8, 5 p.m. on your calendar for the League's annual holiday party. This year will be a fun virtual event with special opportunities to talk with other League members, enjoy musical entertainment and get into the holiday spirit. Watch for more details.
Free water infrastructure virtual
bus tours
Valley Water is now offering free virtual tours of its water infrastructure and facilities in November and December through a new Water Infrastructure Virtual Bus Tour series.
Participants will learn about how the water infrastructure works together to provide safe, clean drinking water for residents, help keep communities safe, and preserves the natural resources in Santa Clara County. There are four different stops and you can sign up for as many as you want. For more details and to reserve a seat go HERE.
Quick Links
Join the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara HERE
Donate to the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara HERE