Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

LWVVC GENERAL MEETING: GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM

with guest speaker Robert Hubbell

Saturday, October 4, 10:30AM-1:30PM

Camarillo Senior Center, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo, lunch included

Dear Members,

We know you will be as excited as we are to attend our Fall General Meeting on Grassroots Activism, which is what the League of Women Voters is all about. You will hear from a variety of our members about what our League is currently doing and plans for the future, including the LWVUS “Unite and Rise” campaign, plus the opportunity to see your League friends and to meet new ones! As icing on the cake, our guest speaker will be Substack author Robert Hubbell.

Robert Hubbell Citizen, Optimist, Realist

Mr. Hubbell writes a daily newsletter about politics through the lens of hope called Today’s Edition. He is a retired attorney who started a nightly email to his daughters in November 2016 to give them hope. The nightly email turned into a newsletter (now on Substack) that is read by 150,000+ daily. But the purpose remains the same: To bring hope tempered with realism during challenging times.

Through his newsletter, Mr. Hubbell has helped mobilize grassroots activism across the United States. Come and be inspired!

TO PURCHASE TICKETS: We expect this to be a sellout event so don’t delay! Tickets, which include coffee and tea in the morning and a buffet lunch, may be purchased through the LWVVC website Donation Page. Member tickets cost $32 and tickets for guests are $40. Please note that due to space limitations, each member may only bring one guest. Members who wish to bring additional guests may email us at lwvvc.info@gmail.com to be placed on the Waiting List.

See you on October 4th!

FROM LWVC

Important Message About Redistricting Initiative

LWV California DOES NOT SUPPORT OR OPPOSE Governor Newsom's mid-cycle redistricting initiative. A core value of the League is to oppose gerrymandering, but it is also a core value to defend democracy and fight authoritarianism. Their full statement can be found on LWVC's website.

LWV Ventura County is planning to host a forum on Proposition 50 in the coming weeks. Check our website for specific details. 

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

Unite and Rise 8.5

Commit to Defend Democracy

According to the BBC, “nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts – and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.” That’s why the LWVUS has launced a powerful new initiative, Unite and Rise 8.5.

The United States is in a constitutional crisis.  Now is the time to band together to defend our constitution, protect the rule of law, demand the preservation of checks and balances, safeguard the right to vote, and build a democracy where every person and every voice counts. We, the people, must fight back.  

Through Unite and Rise 8.5, we will engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters to protect and preserve our democracy. 

Commit to Unite & Rise in the Fight for Democracy with LWV here: Unite and Rise 8.5: An Initiative to Defend Democracy | League of Women Voters

Championing Democracy Through Popular Vote

Championing Democracy Through Popular Vote

Thank you to Chalice Community Forum for cosponsoring a presentation of the Electoral College on Friday, August 22^nd. The presentation was well received and well attended. And thank you to Pat Butler, Betti Mentzer and Matty Park for being presenters.  

The U.S. League’s One Person, One Vote campaign is dedicated to fostering understanding about the Electoral College’s impact on American democracy while building support for a direct popular vote system. Through education and advocacy, they’re laying the groundwork for meaningful electoral reform.

There are no other presentations planned at this time. Our team of trained presenters stands ready if anyone requests a presentation.  

Take Action with LWVUS

Take Action

Get involved! There are many ways to have your voice heard by elected officials and policy makers. Take action on League priorities today.

FROM LWVVC

LWVVC members are collaborating with other community groups

holding rallies and events around the county

Kathy Morgan representing the League at Democratic Women's Club S.A.V.E. Act Panel

Ventura Library Topping Room - July 20

Tabling at Ventura Pride Festival

Ventura Plaza Park - Aug 16

High School Voter Registration Training

Betsy Patterson and her team of experienced voter registration volunteers led three training sessions during August for volunteer who want to register and inspire the voters of tomorrow.

In September, three additional training sessions are scheduled throughout the county, so if you haven't already attended one, and you want to make a difference to young voters, you can register under 'Mark Your Calendar' or the 'Voter Registration Committee'

Note: Voter Registration Training is offered multiple times in various locations so that more people will be able to attend, but each volunteer only needs to attend one class.

Monday, September 1, 10am -1pm - Labor Day Protest at Ventura County Govt Ctr

Wednesday, September 3, 5:30 pm - League Happy Hour at Aloha Steakhouse, 364 S. California Street, Ventura, CA 93001 - RSVP to Matty Park. 

Saturday, September 6, 8:30am -1:30pm - Constitution Day at Reagan Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley - RSVP to Pat Butler

Saturday, September 6, 10:30am - Ventura Voter Registration Training at EP Foster Library, Topping Room, 651 E Main St., Ventura, CA 93001 - SIGN UP

Thursday, September 11, 11:00 am - LWVVC Board Meeting at The Colleges of Law - Ventura Campus, 4475 Market St, Ventura, CA 93003

Saturday, September 13, 10:30am - Camarillo Voter Reg Training at Camarillo Community Center, Room #7, 1605 E Burnley St., Camarillo, CA 93010 - SIGN UP

Sunday, September 14, 4:00 pm - Housing and Homelessness Meeting on Zoom

Wednesday, September 17, 5:30pm - League Happy Hour on Zoom - RSVP to Kay Armstrong. 

Thursday, September 18, 4:00pm on Zoom - DEI and Social Justice Meeting

Featuring a conversation with: Santa Paula Police Chief Donald Aguilar

Saturday, September 20, 10:30 am - East County Voter Reg Training at Chalice UU Fellowship Hall, 3331 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320 - SIGN UP

Thursday, September 25, 3:00pm - Climate Change Committee

Wednesday, October 1, 5:30 pm - League Happy Hour at Aloha Steakhouse, 364 S. California Street, Ventura, CA 93001 - RSVP to Matty Park. 

Saturday, October 4, 10:30 am - LWVVC General Meeting and lunch at Pleasant Valley Senior Center, 1605 E Burnley St., Camarillo, CA 93010 - Purchase Tickets

Featured speaker: Robert Hubbell

Be a Part of the Greater League

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.

Additionally, the LWVVC has several interest committees - see details below.

Proposition 50 - Mid-cycle Redistricting

By now most people are aware that California will have a special election on November 4^th so voters can make their voices heard on Proposition 50. However, some may wonder what Proposition 50 is all about. Below is the preliminary language on this measure from the Secretary of States website: (https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/public-display) 

Making Democracy Accessible to the Next Generation

The League of Women Voters of Ventura County has had an exciting year expanding civic engagement throughout our community. See all the details in our

August 2025 report.

Volunteer Training for High School Voter Registration

We have updated the classroom presentation and are encouraging everyone to come to one of the 3 trainings we are offering in three different areas of the county in September.

Any questions, contact Betsy Patterson.

Please sign up for the training below:

SIGN UP FOR VENTURA

When: Saturday, Sept 6 from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Where: EP Foster Library, Topping Room, 651 E Main St., Ventura, CA 93001

SIGN UP FOR CAMARILLO

When: Saturday, Sept 13 from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Where: Camarillo Community Ctr, Room #7, 1605 E Burnley St., Camarillo, CA 93010

SIGN UP FOR EAST COUNTY

When: Saturday, Sept 20 from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Where: Chalice UU Fellowship Hall, 3331 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320

Community Outreach Committee (Tabling)

The Community Outreach Team made our presence known at the Ventura Pride Event on August 16^th. Thanks to all the volunteers who distributed information about the Electoral College, the SAVE Act, and circulated the CA Clean money Petition for fair elections. Our volunteers were Kay Armstrong, Matty Park, Kim Stevenson, Carol Lindberg, Kathy Morgan, and Pat Belt.  Thank you everyone!  

There are three events coming up: 

• September 1, 2025, 10:00am -1:00pm - Ventura Labor Day Protest, “Workers over Billionaires”, Government Center, Ventura
• September 6, 2025, 8:30am -1:30pm - Constitution Day, Reagan Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley
• October 19, 2025,  9:00am-4:00pm - Thousand Oaks Rotary Street Fair. We will need lots of Volunteers for this, so save the date!  

Please look for a SignupGenius for these events soon. 

Community Outreach Coordinator – Pat Butler – contact via email

California Fair Elections Act

You may have seen the petitions at our events. The LWV of California is co-sponsoring SB-42 with the Clean Money Campaign. It is a bill in the legislature to allow public financing of campaigns for candidates who take no large contributions from anybody. It essentially levels the playing field. It is also an attempt to diversify the candidate field, which gives voters more choice. And it is a way to fight back against billionaire-funded candidates. 

The campaign uses these petitions to show the legislators in Sacramento that we have grass roots support. The goal of the petitions is to pass the bill through the CA Senate and have a proposition on the November 2027 ballot. 

If you would like to help gather signatures, please email Pat Butler HERE.   

Tell your Senators to oppose the SAVE Act

The House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act for the second time in April 2025.

The SAVE Act would require:

• citizenship documentation to register to vote even though voters in every state are already required to affirm or verify their citizenship status when registering, under penalty of perjury. 
• the name on your valid ID to match your birth certificate, but does not include a marriage certificate or proof of name change as acceptable documents to prove identity.

The Senate must reject this bill to prevent it from becoming law. 

The (SAVE) Act is a voter suppression bill.

For more information go here: Tell your Senators to oppose the SAVE Act | League of Women Voters

The LWVVC Observer Corps observes county and city meetings of governing boards and councils. 

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: Sept 16 and Sept 30.

Let's wish California a Happy 175th Anniversary

of Statehood on September 9th

We are proudly the fourth largest economy in the world!

DEI & Social Justice Committee

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

Contacts:

Kay Armstrong (Social Justice) or 

Laura Hernandez (DEI)

At our September 18 Meeting, thanks to member Willie Lubka of Buen Vecino, our guest will be Santa Paula Police Chief Donald Aguilar.

We will have a conversation about policing, and how he is handling the current situation with ICE.

If you would like to join the meeting and/or have questions for the Chief, please contact Kay Armstrong. There will also be an E-blast with the Zoom link.

Another member of our group, Marsha Morrow, a former employee at the County Probation Department, is helping us understand the Ventura Probation Department guidelines regarding immigration concerns.

We'd like to welcome the following new members:



• Moorpark - James Whitney
• Oak Park - Tina Wang and Denise Helfstein
• Somis - Deborah Faneros
• Thousand Oaks - Marla Donley
• Ventura - Belinda Randolph

Please remember to use ChapterSpot to join or review your League membership.

See information about ChapterSpot below under "Additional League Information"

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 success.

September 17th @ 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

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

Find out how to view Board of Supervisor agendas, documents, broadcasts, and videos. Connect with County services.  

We have transitioned to a new membership management system - ChapterSpot - to make joining and renewing your membership easier than ever! 

How to Join or Renew? Visit the LWVVC website and select the Join/Renew link to access the membership portal.

Why Renew or Join? 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

Questions? Contact our membership team for assistance with the new ChapterSpot system.

   Donate 

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 

Email: info@lwvVenturaCounty.org

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

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

Phone Number: (805) 303-1476 

  Facebook: @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.