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Serving San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Morgan Hill & Gilroy
August 2025
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Celebrating 80 years of service!
1945-2025
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President's Message
Lazy days of summer are over
It's August! Kids are soon headed back to school . . . the start of football season is on a countdown clock . . . and the League is back to a full calendar of events and activities!
Voter outreach is a year-round job and we have three very different opportunities coming up to register voters and engage the community. If you haven't yet participated in "tabling," now is your chance to have a fun new experience.
We are excited to host U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren at the Aug. 21 Lunch with League and honored that she is spending some of her summer break from Congress to update the League on current happenings in D.C. Bring your questions.
We are also participating in three countywide League events, coordinated by the five Leagues in Santa Clara County. The first meeting of a new book discussion group is on Sunday, Aug. 10. There is still time for you to read the selected book Factfulness by Hans Rosling and head over to the Saratoga Library to share your thoughts with others.
U.S. Representative Sam Liccardo, who was the outstanding featured speaker at our 80th anniversary luncheon in June, returns to the League stage for a town hall-style event in Palo Alto on Sunday, Aug. 17.
The third countywide event is in Cupertino on Tuesday, Sept. 9, when two legal experts from Stanford and Santa Clara University discuss executive power. It is a timely topic as the checks & balance system of our government is challenged as never before.
Details on all of these events are below, and you are encouraged to sign up early for those of interest to you since space is limited.
I'll close with a sincere invitation for you to contact me for a personal conversation about how you might become more involved with the League. We have an ambitious agenda of what we want to accomplish in 2025-2026 but our success relies on expanding our active volunteer base with fresh perspectives and new energy. I'd enjoy the chance to talk with you one-on-one.
Diane
Diane McNutt, President
League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara
Diane.McNutt@lwvsjsc.org
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Volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed to help with our League's voter registration and information booths at three upcoming community events. If you can help, please contact Michelle Fernandez, co-chair of Voter Service to sign up.
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Tuesday, Aug. 5, 6-8 p.m. Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Association National Night Out at Robert Sanders Elementary School, 3411 Rocky Mountain Dr., San Jose.
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Friday, Aug. 15, 2-8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. GalaxyCon, San Jose McEnery Convention Center, 150 W. San Carlos St., San Jose. The event celebrates comic books, pop culture, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, game, cosplay and more! Great for people watching and outreach to young people.
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Tuesday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Gavilan College in Gilroy. The theme is "Voting Is Your Super Power" and the event coincides with National Voter Registration Day.
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Lunch with League
Special Guest
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave.,
San Jose
Zoe is in the know! Come ask your questions of Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren who will speak about the state of our democracy today and other important national issues such as immigration, privacy, and the budget.
First elected in 1994, she has been noted for her activity in tech-related policy areas such as net neutrality and digital surveillance. Before serving in public office, she was an immigration attorney.
Rep. Lofgren chairs the 46-member California Democratic Congressional Delegation. She serves on the Judiciary Committee and chairs the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. She is also a member of the Medicare for All Caucus.
Lunch options
Six box lunch options from Aqui Restaurant are available for purchase for $18 each or bring your own lunch/snacks. Either way, bring your own beverage. All parking is on street in the neighborhood so carpooling or shared ride service (Uber/Lyft) is encouraged.
Registration deadline if ordering lunch is 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20. All attendees must register in advance even if they are not ordering lunch.
Register HERE
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County-wide League Book Discussion
FACTFULNESS: Ten Reasons We're Wrong
About the World -- And Why Things are Better
Than You Think by Hans Rosling
Sunday, Aug. 10, 3-5 p.m.
Saratoga Library Community Room
13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga
Join other League members to discuss this thought-provoking book that Bill Gates called "one of the most important books I've ever read."
The book discusses 10 instincts that distort our perspectives and argues that the world, for all of its imperfections, is in a much better state than we might think. Click here to register.
The event is presented by the five Leagues of Women Voters in Santa Clara County.
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Meet District 16 Congressional
Representative Sam Liccardo
Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025
2:30-4 p.m. Doors open at 2 p.m.
Mitchell Park Community Center
3700 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto
Presented by the five Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County. Limited space. Registration required. Click HERE
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LWV California urges League members to take action to protect fair redistricting
The LWVC is asking League members to contact Governor Gavin Newsom and our local legislators to oppose the idea of mid-decade redistricting in California. The Legislature returns from its summer recess on August 18. Gloria Chun Hoo, LWVC president and long-time member of our League, penned an opinion piece printed in the Sacramento Bee describing the situation.
Californians fought hard to end the days of shady, backroom map deals. In 2008, voters passed Proposition 11 to create the Citizens Redistricting Commission, an independent body that puts people over politics when drawing district lines. That system works and is considered the national gold standard. The LWVC was a proponent of Prop 11, and continues to advocate for fair redistricting throughout California.
Click here to contact Governor Newsom and your legislators
Hands off our maps. Respect the will of the voters.
Protect fair redistricting.
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Executive Power
A timely conversation on the growing power of the presidency
and the state of our democracy
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 7-9 p.m.
Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Rd., Cupertino
Speakers:
Pamela S. Karlan, Professor of Public Interest Law and Co-Director, Supreme Court Litigation Clinic at Stanford University
David L. Sloss, John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Professor of Law at Santa Clara University
What will be discussed:
- 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?
Presented by the five Leagues of Women Voters in Santa Clara County.
Click HERE to register
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Two great presentations from the
State Convention now available for viewing
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Professor Justin Levitt
Loyola Law School
Loyola Marymount University
Levitt, a voting rights scholar, warned that claims of rigged elections can lead to hyper-polarization. "'A more perfect union' means that we can keep on improving it. And we are with more diverse voting rights. Now we need to protect our progress."
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Dianna Wynn
National President
of the League of Women Voters
Dianna addressed attacks on the League for alleged partisanship. She explained that the League doesn't endorse candidates, but it does study issues and takes positions. "When you join the League of Women Voters, you join a nationwide alliance of activists."
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New Federal Judiciary position
The League of Women Voters announced in June the adoption of the new League position on the Federal Judiciary. This is a critical time for the federal judiciary, and this position will enable the League to respond to legislative and executive efforts aimed at its reform. Read the position
The Federal Judiciary position was adopted using the long-standing League practice of grassroots study to arrive at member understanding and agreement. Altogether, 321 Leagues -- including our local League -- representing 45 states and the District of Columbia participated in the study. Thank you to Martha Beattie for leading our local participation.
The Federal Judiciary position states that, within the bounds of the U.S. Constitution, the overarching principles of transparency, accountability, independence, and ethics are essential to an effective federal judiciary. It notes that these principles are not only essential for a strong democracy but also foster public trust in the federal judiciary and adherence to the rule of law, which is the essence of our constitutional democracy. This position also covers standards of conduct, criteria around disclosure, and respect for precedent.
| | Special opportunity for League members | |
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.
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