Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

LEADERSHIP NOTES

THE 2026 GENERAL ELECTION SEASON IS UPON US

This is an exciting time of year for LWVVC, with so many members stepping up during the fall election season to 'do something' and prepare for the November 3 election.

A Packed House at our Summer Quarter Meeting on August 8th

This meeting was a huge success…we kept adding chairs! The wonderful venue at The Colleges of Law, Ventura Campus, and the abundance of food brought by our members, gave us a great opportunity to gather in League with nearly 60 members and guests. Thank you to all who participated!

To keep up the momentum, our Fall Quarter General Membership Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 3rd and will be held at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. We will gather around 9:45 a.m. and conclude around 12 noon. Please save the date on your calendar and plan to attend. An eblast with RSVP instructions will be sent soon. Contact us if you have any questions.

We are pleased to hear from our members: "I joined LWV to do something." Well, our Fall meeting will help members Prepare to Defend Democracy by exploring all the ways League members can 'do something' to support our midterm elections. This meeting will be filled with details related to ballot measures, candidate forums, preparing food for the election workers, and how to be an effective Observer.

During the meeting we will hear from members who have studied the ballot measures and will provide a Pros and Cons Ballot Measure Presentation.  We will all learn about the ballot measures and have an opportunity to ask questions so we can share the information within our friendship and community circles. 

As a reminder, candidate forums are scheduled in September and October around the county, and we are counting on the Local Action Units to assist in these forums. For those of you who have time to ‘do something,’ contact board members Kathy Morgan and Pat Essick if you can help set up our welcome table, greet attendees, distribute pencils and cards for their questions, or sort questions for the candidates. This is one of the League’s best community services and we need members to help host each event.

Finally, your co-presidents are issuing an ‘Election Day Challenge’ to have at least one LWV member observer at each of the 50 Vote Centers across Ventura County on November 3rd. This seems like a reasonable ask given we have nearly 250 members! We hope members will do their part in their community by simply showing up to stand for an hour to observe and support voters and workers at a vote center. It would be great to have League presence for more than one hour, and with so many members we should easily be able to show our support at each location and rotate Observers. We’ll have details about signing up for Vote Centers at the Oct. 3 meeting.

September and October will be super busy for our League. Our communities count on us to register and educate voters and lend support to the election. So, to all our wonderful long standing members, and to our many new members, we issue the Election Day Challenge to ‘do something’ by committing some of your time to one of the many activities described in this newsletter. 

Yours in League,

Cheryl and Barbara, Co-Presidents

Mon, Sep 2, 3 - 4:30pm - Pros & Cons Planning Meeting - Projector training

Pizza Station, Ventura. Contact Kathy Morgan or Pat Essick for more information

Wed, Sep 2, 5:30 pm - League Happy Hour at Aloha Steakhouse, 
364 S. California Street, Ventura, CA 93001 - RSVP to Matty Park. 

Mon, Sep 9, 3 - 4:30pm - Pros & Cons Planning Meeting - Follow Up

Pizza Station, Ventura. Contact Kathy Morgan or Pat Essick for more information

Wed, Sep 9, 6:30 - 8:30pm - LWV Cool Girls Dinner - Thousand Oaks Action Unit

To join us in TO, contact Joan Palmeiri or Elizabeth Zernik

Thu, Sep 10, 11:00 am - LWVVC Board Meeting at The Colleges of Law, Ventura

Sun, Sep 13, 4:00 pm - Housing and Homelessness Meeting on Zoom

Mon, Sep 14, 4 - 5:30pm - Ventura Local Action Unit Mtg

Pizza Station, Ventura. Contact Doris Simmelink for more information

Tue, Sep 15, 3 - 4:30pm - Oxnard Local Action Unit Mtg

Contact Kay Armstrong for more information

Wed, Sep 16, 5:30 pm - League Happy Hour on Zoom, RSVP to Kay Armstrong 

Thu, Sep 17, 4:00 pm on Zoom - Social Justice and DEI Meeting

Thu, Sep 24, 3:00 pm - Climate Change Committee

Mon, Sep 28, 4 - 5:30pm - Ventura Local Action Unit Mtg

Pizza Station, Ventura. Contact Doris Simmelink for more information

Sat, Oct 3 - Fall General Meeting, Oxnard Performing Arts Center

***SAVE THE DATE***

LWV Not Giving Up the Fight for Mail Ballots After Supreme Court Decision



LWVUS and other voting rights organizations have supplemented their complaint challenging President Trump’s executive order restricting mail voting to add claims against the US Postal Service’s (USPS) newly-finalized mail ballot rule. The groups simultaneously asked a federal court to immediately block USPS from implementing that rule for the November midterm elections.

Plaintiff organizations argue that USPS’s newly-finalized mail ballot rule violates the Constitution’s separation of powers, which put the states and Congress in charge of election administration rules, not USPS or the president, as well as a number of the laws that govern how USPS operates.

See the press release here. 

Court Blocks Rule Preventing Voter Reg at Naturalization Ceremonies

A US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rule that prevented nonpartisan civic engagement groups from registering new US citizens to vote at administrative naturalization ceremonies has been temporarily blocked. The District Court’s preliminary injunction prevents the new rule from going into effect while the case is litigated.

The rule — which was issued abruptly in August 2025 without factual basis — was contested by the Campaign Legal Center on behalf of LWVUS and a number of state and local Leagues. Civic engagement groups can continue the important work of educating and registering new Americans at naturalization ceremonies — a longstanding tradition that encourages participation in the political process.

Read the full statement here. 

See the latest press releases from the US League

The Senate is out of Washington, DC, for August recess from August 10 – September 11. During this time, the League is encouraging members and supporters to visit their Senator’s state offices, call their offices, or send our action alert opposing the SAVE Act.

FROM LWV California

From Jenny Farrell's August Newsletter

- LWVC Executive Director -

Dear League Members and Friends,

As we head toward the November election, I find myself thinking about two responsibilities we have in this moment: defending the democracy we have, while continuing to build the democracy we want.

There is no question that the broader political environment remains deeply concerning. We continue to see efforts at the federal level to undermine voters’ confidence in our elections and interfere with the ability of state and local officials to administer them. The Department of Justice has pursued access to state voter files across the country, and LWVC intervened in the California case. Now, we are hearing about plans for an unusually large deployment of federal election monitors at polling places during the midterm elections. All of this is happening against a backdrop of continued attacks on mail voting, repeated efforts to enact federal proof-of-citizenship requirements, and persistent false claims about the integrity of our elections.

At LWVC, we believe part of our responsibility is to be prepared - not panicked.

That is why we have been participating in scenario-planning conversations with partners across the democracy space to think through what we would do if the midterms bring challenges we sincerely hope never materialize. What happens if the Department of Justice or another federal agency attempts to seize ballots or interfere with their counting? How do we respond to intimidation or violence by private actors? What happens if certification is improperly delayed, a recount is prolonged beyond the date Congress is seated, or the rightful winner of a House race is prevented from taking office?

These are difficult scenarios to contemplate. But preparing for them now means that if a crisis arises, we will not be starting from scratch. We will know whom to call, how our legal and advocacy partners can work together, how to get accurate information to voters quickly, and how the League can best use our trusted voice and statewide network.

We are far from alone. Across California and the country, voting-rights organizations, election experts, lawyers, civic groups, and community leaders are building relationships and preparing to stand together in defense of voters and free and fair elections. That preparation makes our democracy more resilient.

At the same time, our work cannot only be about playing defense.

Here in California, we are working toward a stronger and more inclusive democracy. We are co-leading the campaign for Proposition 4, which would reduce the influence of corporate special interest money in our elections by lifting California’s ban on public financing of campaigns. And we are advocating for a robust California Voting Rights Act that protects every Californian’s ability to have their voice heard.

That combination - defending democracy while pushing it closer to its promise - has always been at the heart of the League’s work.

The months ahead may test our institutions in ways we cannot fully predict. But I enter them with confidence in something we can control: how well we prepare, how strongly we stand together, and how consistently we remind people that our democracy belongs to all of us.

Thank you for your support, your partnership, and your commitment to this work during such a critical time. I am deeply grateful to have this League community standing alongside us.

In League,

Jenny Farrell

Executive Director

League of Women Voters of California

LWVC actively campaigns for initiatives that strengthen our democracy and mobilizes to defeat measures that create barriers to the ballot. Read more about our positions here:

Take Action for Democracy!

LWVC co-sponsored the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) of 2026.

This crucial voting rights package, made up of SB 1164 and SB 1360 would:

• Protect against vote dilution and voter suppression.
• Enshrine federal language access protections in state law. 
• Give Californians a direct path to enforce voting rights in state court.

What’s next: Both of the CVRA bills head to the Assembly floor as the legislative process begins to wrap-up for 2026. This is the final stage of the process before bills head to the Governor’s desk.

📢 Take action: Ask your representatives to vote YES on SB 1164 and SB 1360!

Take Action: End Secrecy in For-Profit Immigration Detention!

📢 Take action: Ask your representatives to vote YES on SB 423

There's a lot happening in California - read all about it on the LWVC website.

FROM LWV Ventura County

LWV Unite and Rise - Day of Action - 8/8/2026

On August 8, 2026, we joined with League members across the country - as well as local partners like Indivisible Ventura, Justice for All Ventura County, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Ventura County Alumni Chapter - for the League of Women Voters' nationwide "Unite & Rise for Voting Rights" Day of Action. We were part of a historic push to mobilize 8.5 million voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The program included (in addition to a delicious potluck lunch):

• Updates from our Local Action Units on the fight against voter suppression and money in politics — including:

- The Save America Act

- CA Prop 39 (Voter ID)

- CA Prop 4 (Public Financing of Elections)

• A firsthand report from our delegates at LWVUS National Convention in June
• A look ahead at new League initiatives for the next two years
• How you can join the "Unite & Rise" movement to boost voter engagement and turnout for November 2026

Coming Activities for the 2026 General Election season

We are excited to be actively involved in educating and supporting Ventura County voters leading up to the election, including presenting Pros & Cons for ballot initiatives, and hosting candidate forums. There will be lots of fun volunteer opportunities!

You'll see e-blasts and/or SignUpGenius invitations whenever volunteers are needed. We look forward to having you on our team.

***LWVVC's Sustaining Members***

We are pleased to thank our Sustaining Members: Laura Hernandez, Kathy Morgan, Wayne Morgan, Matty Park and Pat Butler  

Become a Sustaining Member.  You can set up a recurring payment through your bank’s bill-pay services, or go to our website and use the “Donate” button (this requires that you have a PayPal account). All contributions are gratefully accepted in any amount, although there are perks for donating at least $50/mo.

You may designate where your contribution goes by specifying "General Fund” (the default), "Scholarship Fund" or "Voter Registration Fund" in an email to our treasurer.  Learn more HERE. Questions? Contact Pat Butler, Treasurer.

Get informed & Get involved

Contact Kathy Morgan or Pat Essick

Get informed: Check out the Voter Information Page on our website.

Vote411 - Volunteer opportunity

Vote411 is the League's voter information portal. It depends on local leagues to encourage local candidates to enter information about themselves and their positions into the portal. Invitations have been sent to most of our 160 local candidates, but we could use more volunteers to follow up by phone, text, email or social media to encourage their responses. If you'd like to help, please contact Paul Burke.

Pros and Cons

Every election season, one of our most valued voter services is our nonpartisan Pros and Cons presentations, where we break down every measure on the ballot for the community, clearly and in a non partisan manner.

• A Pros and Cons Informational Meeting was held for interested members on August 19^th. 
• Two more follow up meetings are planned - on September 2^nd and 9^th, both at 3 pm at the Pizza Station in Ventura.

Pros and Cons presentations are usually given by teams of two members who divide up the propositions and present them together, using an LWV slide deck and the knowledge they have gained. 

Currently, we have 8 presentations scheduled, including one for our members during our October 3^rd Fall General Meeting, and we anticipate receiving requests for more. 
If you would like more information, or wish to join the pros and cons team, please reach out to Kathy Morgan or Pat Essick.

Candidate Forums

We have several Candidate Forums planned for September, with more coming in October. Mark your calendars for the following September forums, but check our website for updates, including times:

Port Hueneme: Wednesday, September 16^th, Time:TBD

At: Port Hueneme City Council Chambers - 250 N. Ventura Rd, Port Hueneme

For: City Council Candidates

Santa Paula: Tuesday, September 22^nd, Time: TBD

At: Santa Paula Community/Senior Center - 530 West Main Street, Santa Paula

For: City Council Districts 2 and 4 and School District Area 5

Possibly - United Water District Ballot Measure

Ojai: Monday September 28^th, Time:TBD

At: Kent Hall - 111 West Santa Ana Street, Ojai

For: City Council Districts 1 and 2

Once the details are finalized, we'll send out SignUpGenius invitations to request volunteers to help at the forums - watch for that! Candidate forums are a real service to the community, giving the public (including you!) a chance to hear directly from the candidates before voting. So, volunteering is not only fun, it's informative!

Can't make it to a forum in person? Recordings are available on our website after a few days.

Questions? Reach out to Pat Essick or Kathy Morgan

Pat Essick and Kathy Morgan

Co-Chairs, Voter Services

Reaching the Next Generation of Voters

In August we trained (or refreshed those already trained) 57 volunteers. The feedback was very supportive and appreciative of the improvements we keep making to the presentation and the training. Each season we review the presentation and work to make it more relevant to high school students with information they need to get registered to vote… and VOTE!

Beginning Sept 1 our coordinators will be sending out emails to principals and teachers, letting them know we are available to come talk with their students about voting and helping them register to vote - or pre-register if they are 16-17 years old.

Opportunities to volunteer will come as emails from Sign Up Genius. Please know that there will ALWAYS be an experienced person in the classroom whenever you sign up.

If you are interested in coming to observe a classroom presentation, please let us know and we will add you to the list. Just let us know in the comment section when you sign up that you are observing only.

For questions or to be added to our list, contact us at lwvv.info@gmail.com

Hope to see you soon,

Betsy Patterson & Pam Cwiklo

Co-Chairs, LWVVC Voter Registration Committee

Community Outreach Committee (Tabling)

Our next community events:

• We're taking a break from tabling events in September
• Lots of volunteers are needed for upcoming election-related events like Candidate Forums and Pros and Cons Ballot Initiative presentations - check with our Voter Services committee.
• Also check out our Local Action Units - one may be active in your area

We are still working to build support for a direct popular vote system. For more information, including watching the presentation, see our website

If you want to participate, or would like us to give a presentation at your organization, please contact Pat Butler

The LWVVC Observer Corps observes county and city meetings of governing boards and councils. When we observe, we wear our league shirts and observer buttons. Join us as we let elected officials know we're keeping an eye on our local government.

Please reach out to Betti Mentzer if you are interested in becoming a part of the Observer Corps. You can participate as your time permits, and you will be providing a great service to other League members.

Dates for upcoming County Board of Supervisors meetings: September 1st and 22nd

Contact: Kay Armstrong

We are now raising funds for next year's scholarships

Our goal is to provide a $2500 scholarship to a deserving student with financial need, and a demonstrated interest in political science, at each of our three local community colleges: Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura.

These scholarships are funded by the generosity of our members and supporters.

If you would like to help, all donations - of any size - are very much appreciated!!

Housing & Homelessness Committee: Join Our Mission!

In August our speaker was Karen Flock, the Deputy Director of Real Estate Development for the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (Ventura Housing), where she creates affordable housing for low-income residents, farmworkers, and people experiencing homelessness.

She presented the success of the City in providing affordable housing for a variety of groups. She stressed the importance of partnerships for particular projects that have unique funding requirements and opportunities. Much work remains to be done, particularly in the low- and very low-income categories.

If you would like to join the committee meeting, or receive this information, contact Kay Wilson-Bolton

For more information see our Committee Page

Meetings 3rd Thursday of the month, 4:00pm on Zoom

Contacts:

Kay Armstrong (Social Justice) or

Laura Hernandez (DEI)

We met on August 20, 2026.  Our meeting focused on future speakers and the issues surrounding Flock cameras and other devices currently being deployed nationally and in our communities. It was a wide ranging discussion that also covered the proposed Data Center at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Our next meeting is scheduled on September 17, 2026 and will feature a speaker from VC Defensa. We will discuss information regarding ICE activities and actions that can be taken by individuals. All are welcome to attend! Please contact us if you are interested.

On September 6th in Oxnard, 11am - 8 pm, VC Defensa will host a "Summit to End the Terror Against the People". For more information, or to register see their website at: La Defensa del Pueblo.

Thank you,

Laura and Kay

For Questions about Membership

Contact: Membership Committee

For Local Action Units

Contact: Doris Simmelink

Welcome to our newest members:

• Camarillo – Kay Wolverton Ito, Laura Valdez
• Filmore – Bruna Cardoso Lopez
• Ojai – Jade Smith
• Oxnard – Kitty Merrill, Susan Mulligan
• Ventura – Mary Follenweider, Janet Brown, Anne Whatley

Please remember to use our Membership Portal to join or review your League membership. Questions? Contact our Membership Committee.

RENEWING MEMBERS: Many thanks and gratitude to our members who have renewed their membership, and to those who have made an additional contribution toward the operating expenses of the LWVVC and towards the scholarship fund. Your support is vital to our continued success.

UPDATES

245 MEMBERS TOTAL

LOCAL ACTION UNITS NEWS

These smaller groups are a way to form friendships and plan ways to get involved. From social get-togethers to tackling local issues, this is a chance to bring the league to your immediate community and be more active.

Getting Ready for November by studying Ballot Propositions

Camarillo, Ojai and Ventura Units have been discussing the ballot propositions that will be on the November 5^th ballot. If you are interested in understanding what a "YES" vote or a "NO" vote will mean, we will share resources so we can all confidently answer questions from the public at our events, or in conversations with friends and family.

Introducing a New Home Base for Unit Collaboration

We are developing a new intranet site specifically for the Units so we can share what we are all working on in one place.

Why are we launching this?

The goal is to provide central, easy access to information regarding League activities and projects without the need to search through emails. The site will consolidate relevant updates, helpful videos, and links to internal documents in the League's Google Drive. Eventually, we plan to host calendars and handouts from Area Unit meetings for your reference.

Who can access it?

We are launching initially with the Ventura Unit and have extended invitations to other Units to set up their page. We would appreciate a volunteer from each group to help update the site (training will be provided). Camarillo has two members joining the management team, and we will start sharing content soon. To access the site, you must use a functioning Google account that has been shared with us so we can grant access.

If your Unit wants to participate in the intranet, please contact Doris Simmelink



• Camarillo - Fourteen people attended the meeting on August 20^th.  We discussed ballot propositions, planning for Saturday Farmers’ Market Tabling, and attending Camarillo City Council Meetings as Observer, and a SignUpGenius has already been created for those activities. 
  The next meeting will be on Sept. 24. Contact Catherine (aka Kitty) for details.

• Oak Park - Contact Jim Moynihan for information.

• Ojai members met on Aug 27^th and discussed ballot propositions 1-5. An email invitation will be sent for the next meeting, September 10^th, where they will continue with another group of propositions.  
  Please RSVP to the email or contact Pat Essick or Judy Murphy for details.

• Thousand Oaks The Cool Girls Dinner will be on September 9 from 6:30 to 8:30. Contact Joan Palmieri or Elizabeth Zernik for details.

• Ventura - This month we had three meetings instead of the regularly scheduled two. We discussed:

Mon, Aug 10: Propositions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 39

Mon, Aug 24: Propositions 37, 38, 44, 45

Mon, Aug 31: Propositions 40, 41, 42, 43


Twenty-five plus members attended each of these meetings and participated in lively discussions with many questions and comments from the group. Thank you to all who did the research and acted as leaders in these discussions.

September meetings are on Monday the 14^th and Monday the 28th.

On Sept 14^th Cheryl Collart will be available to answer public finance questions related to the propositions and in general. Bring your questions.

We are currently meeting at Pizza Station on Telegraph Ave, all meetings are 4:00 to 5:30.

If you would like to be added to the mailing list for reminders and meeting agendas, contact Doris Simmelink

• Oxnard had their first meetings in July and August. The next one is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15th. Contact Kay Armstrong for more information.

• Moorpark/Simi Valley is having their first meeting on September 5th. This is exciting news! Doris can connect you to the organizers for information if you want to be included in this new group.

If you would like to be added to the mailing list for reminders and meeting agendas, contact Doris Simmelink



September 16th @ 5:30pm (3rd Wednesday), ON ZOOM

RSVP to Kay Armstrong.

Happy hour events are not just for new members – everyone is welcome, including guests. Join us for an informal conversation about all things LWVVC. Interested in becoming more involved in our mission of "Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy"? Then come, learn about what we're doing, and how you can help.

You don't have to be a League member to join us for happy hour. Come for five minutes, the whole hour or anywhere in between. We hope to see you there! You are welcome to attend either or both Happy Hours. Please register with the host in advance. 

If you would like to start an in-person Meet the Members in your area

please contact us



Participate in LWVUS and LWVC. Sign up for Updates and League Groups -

Open to all League Members

Join by signing in at: Join an Online Discussion Group and work with other leagues, LWV California staff and LWV US staff.

For all relevant news about the County of Ventura: https://www.ventura.org/

• View Board of Supervisor agendas, documents, broadcasts, and videos.

• Connect with County services.  

Why Join or Renew? Your membership supports our critical work in:

1. Voter education and registration
2. Advocacy for important local and state issues
3. Promoting civic engagement in Ventura County

How to Join/Renew? Visit the LWVVC website by clicking the button below and select the Join/Renew link to access the Membership Portal.

Once you are a member you can renew at any time, but the Portal will automatically remind you by email when it's time to renew and send you a renewal link. Or you can set up your account for auto-renewal - in that case the Portal sends an email notifying you that your auto-renewal will happen soon so you can make any changes if needed.

Questions? Contact our membership team for assistance.

Donate 

Would you like to become a donate-every-month "Sustaining Member"?

Check out the details here: Sustaining Member Program

Tax deductible donations may be made to:

•      General Fund

•      Scholarship Fund

•      Ann Gist Scholarship Fund  

•      Ann Gist Voter Education Fund

 OR make your check payable to LWVVC and send it to

P.O. Box 6786, Ventura, CA 93006

If you wish to donate in remembrance of someone, please include their name and a few lines about their life. Please specify the fund you want to support.

Thank you  

Raise Awareness of the League

NOW AVAILABLE!! Hats with LWV logo - $25 donation

For shirts or hats, please contact: Karen Savitt

Email: lwvvc.info@gmail.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LWVVenturaCounty  

Mailing Address: LWVVC, P.O. Box 6786, Ventura, CA 93006 

Phone Number: (805) 303-1476 

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LWVVenturaCo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lwvofventura/

The League of Women Voters of Ventura County is a 501(c)3 organization.

All contributions are tax deductible.  

The League of Women Voters, a grassroots non-partisan 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 League of Women Voters does not support or oppose candidates or political parties.