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.

The Voter

May 2025

If you’re feeling outraged, anxious, or deeply concerned about the direction of our democracy, you’re not alone. I feel it too. So many of us are watching recent events unfold with a mix of alarm and urgency.

On April 17, the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) declared that our country is in a constitutional crisis. The ongoing disregard for the rule of law and separation of powers is not just troubling—it’s dangerous. But the League is not standing by.

Today, May 1, LWVUS launches Unite and Rise 8.5, an ambitious initiative to mobilize 8.5 million voters by November 2026. Part of the Women Defend Democracy campaign, it aims to protect democratic norms, empower voters, and stand firmly against authoritarianism.

Our League will keep you updated and share ways to get involved—both locally and nationally. You can also follow this initiative directly at lwv.org.

We may feel overwhelmed, but we are not powerless. Thank you for your support—because democracy won’t defend itself.

Tina Doede, president

LWVNCSMC 2025 Annual Meeting

Saturday, June 7

9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Please plan to attend this year’s annual meeting with a special guest speaker, County Supervisor Jackie Speier. Space is limited and members have priority with early registration.

Saturday, June 7

Maple Meeting Room

Burlingame Community Center

850 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame

9:30 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast

10 a.m. Speaker, followed by our annual business meeting

12:30 p.m. Adjournment

Jackie Speier represents District 1 on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. Deeply committed to public service, her current focus is addressing the high cost of living in the county, child poverty, and universal childcare.

Supervisor Speier has represented our County for over 40 years, starting on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 1981, followed by 18 years in the California Assembly and Senate, and 15 years in the U.S. Congress. During her career, she has taken on some of the most difficult problems with tenacity and courage.

Join us to hear from this remarkable woman what you and the League can do to strengthen democracy locally and nationally.

Registration required (see link below). Space is limited.

Member Priority Registration May 1 - May 24

If space allows, registration is open to all May 25 - June 3

Registration Required (click on link below)

Eileen Easterbrook., Program Planning chair

May Book Discussion: Focus on the Electoral College

When everyone is talking about the constitutional crises, do I really need to care about the Electoral College too?

Let's talk Electoral College! We'll explore its impact and why change is crucial. We've got two book options (read one, both, or none – all are welcome to join the discussion!). Our books are:

Short and engaging:

“Let the People Pick the President: The Case for Abolishing the Electoral College” by Jesse Wegman, member of the New York Times editorial board.

More details:

“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.

We’ll meet in person at our League office.

When: Saturday, May 10, 10–11:30 a.m. (Doors open at 9:45 for coffee and tea)

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 at the link below to let us know you are coming.

Margaret Lukens, board member

One Person, One Vote

Samuel Johnson's 1764 sentiment, "Reformation is necessary and despair is criminal," resonates with the League of Women Voters' commitment to abolishing the Electoral College in favor of a national popular vote.

Though challenging and potentially lengthy, inaction is not an option. Join our One Person One Vote Committee and begin this vital work now! All League members are welcome.

Our next meeting:

Monday, May 12 at 5 p.m. via Zoom. Register at the link below.

A subcommittee is currently reviewing pro-Electoral College arguments for the national League.

Don't forget our May Book Discussion featuring two books on the Electoral College – it's not too late to join the reading! Details are on our website and in the article above.

At our May meeting, we will further discuss the Electoral College and strategize on voter education and advocacy.

For questions or to join the committee, please contact margaret.lukens@lwvncsmc.org

Margaret Lukens, OPOV committee

LWVNCSMC Monthly Board Meeting

Wednesday, May 14, 4–6 p.m., via Zoom

All members are welcome. Join here.

Housing Caucus

Monday, May 19, 5 p.m. via Zoom

Many who work in our County cannot afford to live here. Join the Housing Caucus, committed to engaging and educating the Local League about our region’s affordability crisis. We meet monthly, on the third Monday at 5 p.m. Our next meeting will be on Monday, May 19. Please register at the link below.

New to our Caucus? Please watch our April 11, 2023 General Meeting, Affordable Housing in San Mateo County: Behind the Numbers, for challenges and roadblocks our cities face, as they plan to reach the State's target of 48,000 new housing units--nearly 20,000 of which should be affordable--by 2031.

Elana Lieberman, Housing Caucus co-chair

New (& Not So New)

Member Orientation

Tuesday, May 20, 7–8 p.m. via Zoom

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 new or have been a member for a while and would like to reconnect, everyone is welcome. Prospective members 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.

Our League Speaks Out for Renters at

San Mateo City Council Meeting

A big thank you to all LWV members who responded to our call for renter protections in the city of San Mateo. On April 21, Tina Doede, our League president, delivered a statement urging support for tenant protections recommended by the Our Home San Mateo coalition including just cause eviction protections, relocation assistance, a right to return after remodels, and a rental data registry. Members wore LWV buttons and “Our Home” stickers to show unity.

LWVNCSMC members attending the San Mateo City Council meeting on April 21. (from left to right) Joy Addison, Shirley Weathers, Elana Lieberman, Loren Lieberman, Tina Doede, Seema Patel

Tina Doede, president

Welcome to our New Member

Jane Dunbar

In Memoriam

Marcia Leonhardt

Mark Your Calendar for these May events

Stay Informed

Stay informed with updates and alerts from your state and national Leagues. Use these links to register:

For California League updates, sent monthly: LWVC
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.

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.