April Community Forum:
Continuing Threats to Voting Rights
The League of Women Voters, which has championed expanded voting rights since its founding in 1920, is leading the efforts across the country to challenge any laws that threaten voting rights. 

Find out more about these threats and what is being done to fight them at our community forum this Wednesday. Panelists will discuss the history of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and actions and reactions following the Supreme Court decision in Shelby v. Holder.

Joe Allen, representing the ACLU, will speak on the current status of voting rights in the US. Doreen Farr, 3rd district county supervisor, will give us a local perspective on challenges to student voting rights at UCSB. Linda Phillips, LWV director for State and National Action, will talk about League positions on voting, in particular the Voting Rights Act Amendment of 2014.

The VRA of 1965 was a landmark civil rights bill designed to protect minorities from discrimination in voting. Congress renewed the act repeatedly-most recently in 2006 by large majorities. However, last year the Supreme Court struck down key provisions of the VRA by a 5-to-4 vote along ideological lines. The decision allows nine states, mainly in the South, to change their election laws without prior federal approval.

Both the League and the ACLU have been fighting voting rights restrictions in the courts. Closer to home have been the ongoing efforts over the years to disenfranchise students at UCSB. The election of Doreen Farr in 2008 was contested by her opponent, Steve Pappas, who charged that students committed voter fraud. After years of court hearings, the battle ended when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his case.

All League forums are free and open to the public. You are encouraged to invite your friends. Bring your own brown bag lunch, and cookies and beverages will be provided. Parking at the center is free during our meeting

"If you need assistance, please contact Jenny Burger at JBurger@LWVC.org. We will announce the survey results at Council and discuss what they mean for next steps in better serving LWV members throughout California," Beth said.

See Community Forum notice above for more information about this important issue.