Update on Voter Services
Voter registration is an ongoing effort of the League's Voter Services Committee. With Covid-19 restrictions, outreach to new voters has taken on different forms. For example, League member Maryann Haggerty visited Yerba Buena High School in September to discuss the Recall Election, and took the opportunity to distribute 100 pre-registration cards to students ages 16-18.
The committee is also preparing for the June and November elections in 2022 when voters will choose office holders for jurisdictions and agencies that affect our daily lives. There will be a robust need for Candidate Forums and Pros and Cons presentations on local and statewide measures we anticipate being on the ballot.
If you have an interest in increasing participation in the democratic process, contact Sandy Mory to learn of volunteer opportunities.
FUN FACT! California has 22 million registered voters (more than the entire population of New York state!), but there are still more than 2 million eligible voters who are not yet registered.
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Action Committee is true to its name
The next meeting of the Action Committee will be Monday, Oct.25, at 2 p.m. via Zoom. All League members are welcome to attend.
The Action Committee, in conjunction with the Housing and Climate Change committees, has recently commented on a number of local issues. In September, we sent a letter to San Jose’s Department of Transportation and its consultant (Dudek) advocating for more external stakeholder participation in San Jose's Draft Community Forest Management Plan. Our comments focused on equity, stakeholder and community engagement, and governance structure. We also wrote a letter to San Jose's Charter Review Commission about its proposal to give emergency powers to the mayor.
We continue to actively monitor redistricting discussions in San Jose and the ongoing work of. the Climate Change/Natural Resources and Housing Committees. We are also gearing up to relaunch an observer corps to better track what's going on in Councils, Commissions and Boards in the communities we serve. Please contact Action Committee Chair Vicki Alexander for more information or to be on our email list.
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Climate Action/Natural Resources Committee meeting
The next meeting of the Climate Action/Natural Resources Committee will be held via Zoom on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m. Everyone who has an interest in this area is invited to attend.
LWV of California and LWV of the U.S. have declared a climate emergency and are urging all local Leagues to include Climate Action as a high priority. Our League has been active in this area for many years, monitoring local issues and using League positions as the basis for comment on proposals that could affect the long-time future of our region. To learn more about the committee, contact co-chairs Judy Chamberlin and
Virginia Holtz.
They want to hear from you!
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Impressive list of community leaders have shared
their time with Lunch With League
Thanks to the convenience of Zoom recording, the very informative presentations at Lunch With League events so far this year are available for you to watch at any time. Each program is about one hour and filled with insight about local issues affecting us all. Click HERE to access recordings of the following speakers:
Josh Barousse and Ramona Giwargis, co-founders, San Jose Spotlight
Rolando Bonilla, Chair of San Jose Planning Commission
Rick Callender, CEO, Santa Clara Valley Water District
Russell Hancock, CEO & President, Joint Venture Silicon Valley
Michele Lew, CEO, The Health Trust
Bruce Olszewski, Director, Center for the Development of Recycling,
San Jose State University
Jeffrey Rosen, District Attorney of Santa Clara County
Mary Ann Tekverk, community organizer for Save the Bay
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Upcoming Zoom Events of Interest
Reimagining Public Safety Community Advisory Committee
Wednesday, Oct. 13, 8-9:30 a.m.
and
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 6:30-8 p.m.
Agendas for these City of San José public meetings can be found HERE. You do not need to register to attend, just click on this Zoom link at the appropriate time.
Improving Democracy One Conversation At A Time
Wednesday, Oct. 13, 6-7 p.m.
Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA, will speak on how to engage high school and college students in grassroots efforts to improve our democracy. Manu is recognized as a leader in the national student movement to bring Americans together. "Democracy is in danger if the next generation is disengaged and polarized, because young people are the future of our country," he says. Presented by LWV of Palo Alto, register HERE to attend.
Drive Clean with the League
Saturday, Oct. 16, 5-6 p.m.
or
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 6-7 p.m.
The League of Women Voters of California is co-sponsoring with Drive Clean California an educational and inspiration event to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions. The program will include presentations from electric vehicle drivers and climate and clean air enthusiasts who will share their interest in clean air and a cool panel. Experts will discuss government incentives, solutions for residents who live in apartments, and additional financial incentives for disadvantaged communities. Learn more and register for either event HERE.
San Jose Charter Review Commission Public Hearing
Saturday, Nov. 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Share your thoughts and concerns about potential changes to the San Jose City Charter such as the role of the mayor, election years and more. Learn more about the Charter Review Commission HERE.
The Challenges of Making Taxing and Spending Decisions -- What Would You Do?
Saturday, Nov. 6, 2-4 p.m.
The Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County will present this interactive workshop that replicates the challenge of how to spend limited resources of public funds. Experience what it is like to make decisions on who to tax and for how much, and how to use those tax revenues to pay expenses. Register HERE.
