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Educating Voters. Defending Democracy.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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Dangerous Attempt to Silence American Voters: LWV Responds to President Trump’s Anti-Voter Executive Order...read more here and please share!
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Up Front from our President
A Call to Action on Climate Change in San Mateo County
San Mateo County is uniquely positioned to meet the challenges of climate change. We face every climate risk: sea level rise, coastal erosion, extreme heat, wildfire, air quality, drought and water shortages. But we also benefit from high levels of wealth and education, and we understand that climate change is happening now. Thanks to bold action, as of 2017, San Mateo County has already reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 33% below 1990 levels, surpassing previous state goals ahead of schedule. Now, we must build on this progress.
San Mateo County’s Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) sets ambitious targets: a 45% reduction in emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2040. Major steps have already been taken, including the launch of Peninsula Clean Energy and investments in public transit and electric vehicle infrastructure. At the same time, the county is adapting to a changing future by strengthening wildfire resilience, preparing for sea level rise, and working to secure a sustainable water supply.
Our April General Meeting will bring together local sustainability leaders to discuss their cities’ climate action plans and the path forward. This is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and explore how we can all contribute to meaningful change. More details on the program can be found in the following article.
I hope you will join us—together, we can shape a climate-resilient future for San Mateo County.
Tina Doede, president
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Preparing Cities for Climate Resilience
April General Meeting
Tuesday, April 8, 12–1:30 p.m. via Zoom
Concerned about how climate change will impact our county? Come hear Sustainability Officers from Burlingame, San Mateo, and Half Moon Bay speak on their cities’ accomplishments and plans to meet the climate crisis across our region.
Joining the panel:
Andrea Chow, Sustainability Analyst for the City of San Mateo
Ms. Chow has seven years of experience leading implementation of the city’s Climate Action Plan, development of reach codes and green building policies, and installation of EV charging infrastructure at city-owned facilities.
Sigalle Michael, Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Burlingame
Over her ten-year tenure with the city, Ms. Michael has led the development of the city’s Climate Action Plan and launch of its bike-sharing program. She serves as a Commissioner on the City of San Mateo Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission.
Helen Wolter, Senior Sustainability Analyst for the City of Half Moon Bay
Ms. Wolter brings twenty years of sustainability experience to create more resilient communities. She has successfully worked to increase our region’s open spaces (10+ acres in San Mateo County) and on multiple decarbonization efforts.
Eileen Easterbrook. Program Committee chair
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LWVNCSMC Monthly Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 9, 4–6 p.m., via Zoom
All members are welcome. Join here.
Upcoming Board Decision on Scholarship Funds
At our April board meeting we will discuss how to adapt the scholarship funds from two generous bequests to fit our new dues structure. These bequests supported dues scholarships to encourage and diversify our membership. With reduced need under the new system, we aim to repurpose the funds in a way that continues to reflect the donors’ original intent. We welcome member input as we consider how best to use these resources to strengthen our League.
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One Person, One Vote
I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker.
–Helen Keller, author and disability rights advocate
Would you like to contribute some tiny pushes (or great and noble ones!) to eliminating the Electoral College? Please join our One Person One Vote Committee. All League members are invited.
Our next meeting:
Monday, April 14 at 5 p.m., via Zoom
Register below
In March, we discussed the work of the nationwide League committee organized by LWV Deerfield/Lincolnshire (IL). This group meets monthly on the fourth Friday and often feature authors of books on the origin and consequences of the Electoral College. To receive notifications of these meetings, email the organizers at abolishelectoral@gmail.com
Our group also agreed that we would welcome an outside speaker to explain the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
Finally, we noted that our League’s May Book Discussion meeting will feature two books on the Electoral College. Start reading! Look for more details in the article below or on our website.
At our April meeting we will continue to share what we’ve learned about the Electoral College and develop our plans for informing voters and changing minds about the effects of this provision of our Constitution.
If you have questions or you’d like to be included in the committee’s work, please contact margaret.lukens@lwvncsmc.org
Margaret Lukens, OPOV committee
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Housing Caucus
Special Meeting
Monday, April 21, 7 p.m.
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Join us to support an LWVNCSMC Action for Renter Protections by attending the San Mateo City Council Hearing. You may attend in person at 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo or via Zoom. Watch for a reminder with more information closer to the date of the meeting. For more details see the article below.
Many who work in our county cannot afford to live here. The Housing Caucus, committed to engaging and educating the local League about our region’s affordability crisis, meets monthly on the third Monday at 5 p.m.
As the article below describes, this League is taking action to support better renter protections in the City of San Mateo. In lieu of our regular April meeting, the Caucus is inviting all members—particularly those living in San Mateo—to attend the City Council’s “Study Session” (public hearing) on the matter. Join us and other housing advocates!
Elana Lieberman, co-chair
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CALL TO ACTION!
LWVNCSMC Supports Local Effort to Enhance Renters' Protections
The LWVNCSMC Board has voted unanimously to join Our Home San Mateo, a coalition working to enhance tenant protections in the City of San Mateo. San Mateo’s state-mandated and certified “Housing Element, 2023-2031” commits the City to implement policies to “[protect] current residents through the prevention of displacement.”
This is important because Our Home San Mateo organizers found that half of San Mateo residents are renters and one in four pay more than 50% of their incomes for housing. The developer of a new “100% affordable” apartment complex reports receiving 4,235 applications for 225 units. Even those who manage to find rentals are vulnerable to disruptions, including from evictions and rent hikes. Children are among those harmed most severely.
The League has good reason to join this coalition. For one, LWVUS calls on us to “support programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families . . . . [and] support policies to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family.” Read the proposal to the Board for more information, including the Our Home policy recommendations we’ve endorsed.
Our president, Tina Doede, will declare LWVNCSMC’s support at the City Council’s “study session” at the San Mateo City Hall at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 21.
League members, especially San Mateo residents, are urged to attend!
Wear your League buttons!
Show your support for this League action!
Shirley Weathers, member, Housing Caucus
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Help Shape Caltrain’s Climate Resilience Plan
Climate change already affects our transportation systems. Extreme weather—heat waves, flooding, wildfires, and storms—can cause riders delays and disruptions.
Caltrain seeks input from riders for a Climate Change Vulnerability Study to better understand these challenges and develop solutions. By taking a short four-minute survey, you can share how climate-related disruptions affect your commute and what concerns you have for the future. Your responses will directly inform efforts to improve infrastructure, operations, and overall rider experience.
The survey is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese, and participants can win a $100 Visa gift card.
Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of public transit! Take the survey today: Survey Link
For more details, visit Caltrain’s Climate Study Page.
Tina Doede, president
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May Book Discussion: Focus on the Electoral College
When everyone is talking about the cost of eggs and constitutional crises, do I really need to care?
Our May book discussion meeting will focus on the Electoral College, its effects on our government and our lives, and why we believe it needs to change. For this big topic, we’ve chosen not one, but two books! You can read both or either (or neither—even if you haven’t read a page, we think you’ll still enjoy the discussion.) Our books are:
“Distorting Democracy: The Forgotten History of the Electoral College—and Why It Matters Today” by Carolyn Renée Dupont, professor of American History at Eastern Kentucky University.
“Let the People Pick the President: The Case for Abolishing the Electoral College” by Jesse Wegman, member of the New York Times editorial board.
We’ll meet in person at our League office.
When: Saturday, May 10, 10–11:30 a.m.
Where: 444 Peninsula Avenue, Suite 1, San Mateo (enter the narrow driveway on Peninsula Avenue to find the building in the rear, next to the construction fencing)
All are welcome. Please register here to let us know you are coming.
Margaret Lukens, board member
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New (& Not So New)
Member Orientation
Tuesday, May 20, 7–8 p.m. via Zoom
Register at the link below
Welcome to our new members! Please join us for new member orientation to:
- learn about the League and find answers to your questions
- meet other League members
- discover how you can get involved
Whether you’re a new member or have been a member for a while and would like to reconnect, everyone is welcome. Prospective members are also welcome, so please bring a friend!
Linda Jansen, membership chair
“Welcome to California” photo credit: Tobias Müller (Twam), www.twam.info, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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Save the Date!
LWVNCSMC Annual Meeting
Saturday, June 7
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Our League’s annual meeting will be held at the Burlingame Community Center, with Supervisor Jackie Speier as guest speaker.
More details coming in the May Voter.
Eileen Easterbrook. Program Committee chair
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Welcome to our New Members
John Claussen
Alexandra Claussen
Megan Claussen
Patricia Leake
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Stay Informed
Stay informed with updates and alerts from your state and national Leagues. Use these links to register:
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For California League updates, sent monthly: LWVC
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For national League updates, sent twice a month: LWVUS (scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for e-mail updates).
Keep an eye on our website, lwvncsmc.org, for the latest on upcoming events.
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Join the League
We love having new members join us and help with the important work we are doing. Click here to join online or print out a mail-in form. Scholarships are available for new members. Please contact us at membership@lwvncsmc.org.
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