April Community Forum:
Continuing Threats to Voting RightsWednesday, April 16, noon-2 p.m.-Louise Lowry Davis Center, 1232 De la Vina St.
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
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League Candidate Forums:
2nd District Supervisor and Sheriff
Wednesday, April 23-Goleta Community Center, 5679 Hollister St.
The forum for candidates for 2nd District Supervisor-incumbent Janet Wolf and Roger Aceves--will be from 6-7:30 p.m. The forum for candidates for sheriff-incumbent Bill Brown and Sandra Brown-will be held from 7:45 to 9 p.m.
These forums are co-sponsored by the League, Families ACT and Goodland Coalition. Irene Stone will moderate.
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Members: Please Help with a Short Survey for the League of Women Voters of California
Since joining the LWVC Board as membership director, Beth Pitton-August, who served as LWVSB Co-President, has had the opportunity to speak with many League leaders across our state. Now she is inviting you to have your say by completing a survey.
It will take just a few minutes, but it will go a long way in helping your LWVC identify opportunities to better support you.
If you are a League member, please complete the survey by April 21. Every participant in the survey will be entered to win 15 copies of the Guide to California Government.
"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. |
LWVUS has two current Action Alerts:
- Support a new bill to Restore the Voting Rights Act.See Community Forum notice above for more information about this important issue.
- Support the EPA's proposed limits on carbon pollution. The EPA has extended the deadline for public comments for the proposed federal carbon pollution standard for every new power plant built in America. This is a game changer for the climate--especially because power plants are our single largest source of carbon pollution.
The new deadline is May 9, 2014. Submit a public comment in support of the standard and your voice will be part of the official record.
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