VOTER - League of Women Voters San Jose/Santa Clara

Mr. Garner has more than 20 years of experience, most recently serving as Director of Registration and Elections Operations for Fulton County, Georgia, which encompasses Atlanta and 13 other cities in the greater metro area. There, he was credited with creating the county's first Family Voting Day and the successful implementation of the Relia-Vote™ system, which streamlined the entire absentee ballot process by folding, stuffing, sorting by precincts, and tracking ballots via the U.S. Postal Service, saving the county $2.5 million in the first year. He also introduced an automated absentee ballot application for in-person voting that greatly reduced voters' wait time, placed early/advanced voting sites in each of the five Fulton County Commission districts and began publishing a quarterly newsletter.

Won't you join us to greet our new Registrar and learn what changes are planned for Santa Clara County.

Thursday, April 19

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Bella Mia Restaurant

58 South First Street, San Jose, CA

Lunch choices include walnut and chicken salad, turkey croissant sandwich, margherita sandwich (tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and balsamic vinegar), eggplant parmesan, and linguini picatta with or without chicken. The cost is $15, payable at the door. Please RSVP, with menu choice, to Marie Arnold by Monday, April 16.

Reminder: Bella Mia can validate for 2 hours only - 1 minute over and the price is $1.00/20 min. for the entire time. The light rail stops behind the restaurant.

President's Message

The year is whizzing by and while we are stumbling into April, I feel the winds of March and feel akin to the Mad Hatter: life full of riddles and questions, but alas no easy answers.

What will happen to the Affordable Care Act? The Supreme Court listened to three days of argument and LWVUS filed an amicus brief in support of ACA. We'll have to wait for the Supreme Court decision in June. Meanwhile, if you want more information, about what ACA is all about, link here, a nonpartisan site, and here. Facts folks, just the facts.

Will money trump democracy, post Citizens United? At the federal level, there is a new bill, the Disclose Act of 2012, that was introduced March 21 by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, requiring disclosure of all contributors of $10,000 and more in political advertising. LWV has joined in coalition to support it, and is one of nine watchdog organizations asking all presidential candidates to voluntarily disclosure "bundlers" - those who collectively gather funds in excess of what is legal.

Alas, at the state level, the California version (AB1148) lost by a vote of 52-26, lacking 2/3 vote, but has re-emerged this legislative session as the California Disclose Act AB 1648, which again the League supports. To learn more about the California Clean Money campaign go to the California Clean Money site.

While we recently celebrated stopping passage of the Blunt Legislation that would have severely limited access to contraceptive medicine based on a company's "religious or moral obligations" - the vote was close, 51-48. By just three (3) votes - it would have passed. Not much to celebrate.

We in the League have so much work to do. I urge you to take an active role. Let's not be Mad Hatters, but seekers of answers.

Gloria

Privatization Study

The consensus meeting of LWV-SJ/SC on the national study of privatization will be held on Saturday, April 14th, from 9:30-12:00 at the home of Rod and Alice Thorn. We hope many of you will come to learn about this fascinating topic and then take part in formulating our answer to the consensus questions posed by LWVUS.

Privatization, the transfer of federal, state or local government services, assets and/or functions to the private sector, is a growing trend in the United States and well-entrenched elsewhere. The study committee will present an overview of the subject, covering the following areas.

Overview of the purpose, definitions and examples of privatization
History and background of privatization
Examples at the national level
Examples from LWVUS
Broad principles of our local governments on privatization
Example of a specific local privatization
Core governmental services which might not be privatized
Best Practices in privatization

Following this overview, Brenda McHenry, Facilitator, will guide us through the consensus questions with clarifications supplied by study committee members as necessary. A copy of the consensus questions will be available at the meeting, but you might want to review them ahead of time by going to the LWVUS site. If that piques your curiosity for further reading, go to the Privatization page.

Your Study Committee is looking forward to seeing you on the 14th!

Martha Beattie, Chair

Mary Collins, Co-Chair

Marie Arnold

Dick Cress

Gloria Chun Hoo

Sara Malaun

Cecilie Schulze

Election 2012: Vote with the League On June 5

From LWVC:

We support Proposition 28, the Legislative Term Limits Reform Act. This simple reform will help make our legislature more accountable and effective. The current limits on how many terms an individual can serve in the legislature would be replaced by a twelve-year limit on the total number of years one could serve-whether in the Assembly, the Senate, or a combination of the two.

We have taken a neutral position on Proposition 29, the California Cancer Research Act. This measure would add a one-dollar per pack tax on cigarettes sold in California, with proceeds to be used for cancer and other smoking-related health issues, anti-smoking campaigns, and law enforcement.

Spring Fiesta

Invitations have gone out for the Thursday, May 3, Spring Fiesta at Summerwinds Nursery in Santa Clara. Don't forget to send in your registration by April 15 to get the $30 registration fee. After that, it's $35, and $40 if paid at the door.

It promises to be a fun event, with music, raffle items, good food, and an outstanding selection of plants. It's the perfect event for bringing a friend or a spouse and introducing them to the League. And remember, Summerwinds staff will be on hand to answer all of your gardening questions. Plus, they will donate 20% of all plant sales to our League.

If you haven't received your invitation, contact Cecilie Schulze.

Membership

Welcome to our newest members:

Judith Fritz

Tracy Jacobs

Thank you to the following members for their donations to the League:

Susan Camerson, Joan Halperin, Nancy Ianni, Sara Malaun, Jeanette McNeely

And thank you to the following members for renewing their membership:

Marie & Paul Arnold, Susan Cameron, Albert Gonzalez, Joan Halperin, Nancy Ianni, Judith Krongold, Sara Malaun, Socorro Reyes-McCord, Jamie McLeod, Jeanette McNeely, Eve Orton, Clarian & Alan Pintacura

Board Briefs

At the March Board meeting:

The State LWV board has accepted our application to host the 2012 State Convention. Sandy Mory and Sally Pyle have agreed to co-chair. Carol Watts stated that there are many parts to a state convention and many members will need to work on it.
SEIU has asked us to repeat our election monitoring; no dates have been provided. Sandy Mory has agreed to coordinate.
We will look into holding a forum on the City of San Jose pension reform ballot measure.

It's My Vote ... I Will Be Heard

Our members are invited to attend an intensive voter education, registration, and turnout campaign training seminar hosted by AAUW of California on Thursday,
April 12, 2012, 12 to 5 P.M., at the Marriott Hotel in Santa Clara. As a committed advocates for women and girls, League members know how critical the 2012 elections will be in laying the groundwork for future challenges and successes. This is an opportunity to play a role in getting out the women's vote and ramping up women's influence in Congress!

At the training, which is free of charge, you'll learn about building a voter turnout plan, targeting potential voters, the AAUW Action Fund campaign's special focus on women of the Millennial generation (aged 18-30), and using social media and traditional media for public relations. We'll talk about building relationships with key voting groups and connect you with your state's coalition.

See the flyer for more details and RSVP by clicking this link.

California Budget Challenge

How would you solve the budget crisis? Go to Next Ten and take the challenge. With a 9.2 billion dollar budget shortfall and three-quarters of the budget already allocated to local programs, it won't be easy. Test your ingenuity and compare your decisions to those of our legislators in Sacramento.

LWVUS Announces New Education Position

The LWVUS now has a position on the Federal Role in Public Education! The LWVUS Board approved a new Education position at its March 2012 meeting. The position is based on responses received from the 377 Leagues across the country that participated in the Education Study. The position states that "the League of Women Voters believes that the federal government shares with other levels of government the responsibility to provide an equitable, quality public education for all children pre-K through grade 12. A quality public education is essential for a strong, viable and sustainable democratic society and is a civil right." Thanks to the many local and state Leagues and ILOs that held meetings, involved their communities, and worked to reach consensus on this critical issue of importance to all Americans. For the full position, go to the LWVUS site.

(LWV San Jose/Santa Clara was one of the participating Leagues.)

ROV Presentations

Have you ever wondered how local candidate information and city, county, school board and other measures are placed on our ballots, what fees are paid and what the process is for developing the many different versions of ballots used in Santa Clara County for each election? Get the answers to your questions when the Santa Clara County Citizens' Advisory Commission on Elections hears presentations from the Registrar of Voters' experts in these areas at their next two monthly meetings.

Everyone is invited.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

6:00 p.m. at the Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium, First Floor

County Government Center, 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose

Candidate & Public Services Division Manager Shannon Bushey will explain the general candidate filing and measure process, deadlines for requirements for the candidates' guide including text and text requirements, when and how city/county/district measures are placed onto the ballot, and how AB 1413 is effecting candidate party listings and other issues relating to the Declaration of Candidacy.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

6:00 p.m. at the Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium, First Floor

County Government Center, 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose

A representative from the Registrar of Voters' Office will explain the complexities of ballot design and how the ROV will meet new Legislative requirements related to the Top Two Primary in June. We will also hear about the differences we might expect to see between the June Primary and November 2012 General Election ballot designs.

The Rules Have Changed ... Your Vote in 2012

Learn how the June and November Ballots will be different for the Open Primary

and the Redrawn Legislative and Congressional Districts at LWV Palo Alto's General Meeting on:

Thursday, April 26 - 7 to 9 pm

Lucie Stern Community Center - Community Room

1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

State League Voter Service Chair, Lianne Campodonico will talk about the changes in the primary and the November election for state legislators. In addition, Joyce Travow, who is serving on the State League Initiative Update Study committee, will talk about initiatives and referenda (the Senate districts will be up for a referendum in fall).

Free and open to the public - bring a friend!

Meet the Judges

The League of Women Voters, Southwest Santa Clara Valley, invites you to a:

A Candidate Forum for Judicial Offices #5 and #7

Superior Court of Santa Clara County

Saturday, April 14 at 10 am

Campbell Community Center

1 W. Campbell Ave. (at Winchester)

Room C-35 -enter/park on Winchester side of center

For further information: 354-8516

Free Health Fair

Come to a free Health Fair and community discussion on how to fight for our health care.

Saturday, April 28 from 10 am to 2 pm

Andrew Hill High School Auditorium

3200 Senter Road, San Jose (Capitol Expressway and Senter)

· Free health screenings

· New eligibility Info: MediCal Expansion and County Valley Care

· Have your voices heard

· Free food, refreshments, and door prizes

Organized by Santa Clara County Single Payer Coalition, of which our League is a member. LWV-SJ/SC will have a table with voter information and registration (thank you Marie Arnold and Socorro Reyes-McCord!).

Be A Delegate

All levels of League meet in May and June. On Saturday, May 5 from 10-12, it's the Bay Area Convention which is being held in the new Lafayette Library. On May 19-20, the LWVC Council meets in Sacramento. Go to the LWVC website for a list of workshops. Finally, LWVUS Convention meets June 8-12 in Washington DC. If you are interested in being a delegate to any of these conventions or simply learning more about them, contact Gloria Chun Hoo.

Reflecting Diversity in a Diverse State

The fourth in the Community Conversation series organized by American Leadership Forum/Reviving California is coming up on Thursday, April 12, from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at Bella Mia in San Jose.

For more information and to RSVP, go to their website.

Northern California Innocence Project

Wrongful convictions - that's what the Innocence Project seeks to overturn.

Consider that there are 174,000 people housed in State prisons. If just 1% of those there are innocent - that's a potential of 1,740 people unjustly convicted and serving time. These are the folks that the Northern California Innocence Project is working to save, noted Linda Starr, co-founder, and our recent Lunch with League speaker.

NCIP is a part of the Santa Clara University School of Law; law students, supervised by NCIP staff, get real life experiences investigating and possibly representing wrongful conviction cases. In its ten year history, the Northern California Innocence Project has been successful in exonerating 13 wrongful convictions.

One of its best tools is the new science of DNA, which nationally has exonerated 289 unjustly imprisoned people, 17 of whom were on death row. But DNA is not the only tool used. Starr noted that there is new science about arson, for example. The single biggest cause of wrongful convictions stems from incorrect witness identification, she said. Other causes are bad forensics and false confessions. An area of focus for the NCIP has been prosecutorial misconduct and its recent study is giving NCIP a national role in reform. For example, the use of "snitch" testimony, which Starr equated to purchased testimony, should be discouraged. The work of the NCIP is both important and fascinating. To learn more, check out their website.

Calendar

Information on all of these events is available in this newsletter.

Apr. 3 * Paranoid Politics
Apr. 3 ROV Presentation
Apr. 12 AAUW Voter Registration Training
Apr. 12 Reviving California - Diversity in a Diverse State
Apr. 14 Privatization Consensus Meeting
Apr. 14 Meet the Judges
Apr. 26 The Rules Have Changed Forum - Palo Alto
Apr. 28 Free Health Care
May 1 ROV Presentation
May 3 Spring Fiesta
May 5 LWV Bay Area Convention
May 21 Last day to register to Vote
June 2 Annual Meeting
June 5 Primary Election

* Part of Silicon Valley Reads. Go to their website for details on all events between February and April.

Address / Email Change

To keep our records current please send any changes to your address, email address, or phone number, to our Dues Secretary, Sandy Remmers, at randsremmers@gmail.com. The only updates she receives are on the renewal form which is only sent once a year.

The Voter

The LWV-SJ/SC Voter is distributed monthly. Article deadline is the 20th of the month. Many thanks to Loretta Hayes who mails the snail mail copies. If you have questions or comments, contact Cecilie Schulze, the Voter Editor.

Join Our League

Visit our website to join our League.

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Democracy is not a spectator sport! Educate! Advocate!

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