Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. |
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The official newsletter of the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County.
Vol 69 | Issue 5 | Date: May 24, 2026
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In this issue:
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GET READY FOR THE JUNE 2 PRIMARY ELECTION | June 2 is 9 days away. Is your ballot ready?
Return it by drop box or mail before June 2. Find drop box locations.
Not sure who to vote for? Watch replays of the LWV SLOCO candidate forums. Research candidates at vote411.org/register.
Track your ballot at sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot.
Then share this with someone who hasn't voted yet. |
ACTION ALERT: PROTECT CALIFORNIANS RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS |  TELL YOUR STATE SENATORS TO VOTE YES ON SB 1105
Ensure Community Safety and Civil Rights
SB 1105, The Protect California Rights Act, responds to harms being perpetrated by the Trump Administration and DHS agents, and protects Californians by:
- Prohibiting state and local law enforcement agencies from entering into joint task forces or interagency agreements that assist racial or identity profiling, criminalization of speech, or use of unauthorized weapons of war.
- Ensuring that California does not give federal law enforcement officers acting beyond their federal jurisdiction broad power to stop and arrest Californians.
Tell Your State Senators: Vote Yes on SB 1105
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VOTER SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY |
The League at Restorative Partners Resource Fair
Juliane McAdam and Edwina Cirelli represented the League at the Restorative Partners Resource Fair on May 7 at the Vets Hall in San Luis Obispo. Restorative Partners connects justice-involved individuals with services and support as they reenter the community. Juliane and Edwina registered 6 newly eligible voters at the event.
Join Us at Mission Plaza in June
Some of the best civic engagement happens in person, and we'll be at two great events this June. Join LWV SLOCO and help connect SLO County residents with voter registration, civic resources, and the work of the League. We're looking for volunteers to staff our table at Pride in the Plaza on June 27. No experience needed, just enthusiasm for civic engagement.
Volunteer
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League of Women Voters Condemns Supreme Court Ruling Dismantling the Voting Rights Act
LWVUS has responded to the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v Callais, a case testing the constitutionality of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Section 2 was included in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to combat racial discrimination nationwide. Congress made clear that a Section 2 claim does not require proof of intent to discriminate because racial discrimination in voting can be accomplished through race-neutral means that conceal racist intent. Until Louisiana v. Callais the Supreme Court has upheld this interpretation of the law.
See the full statement here.
LWVUS Responds to DOJ indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
The League of Women Voters has condemned the Department of Justice's indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as a declaration of war on the civil rights movement and a malicious attempt to criminalize advocacy.
"This is a total inversion of justice. This is about dismantling the protections that allow marginalized communities to exist. When you attack the organizations working to end unjust imprisonment and fighting against discrimination, you attack the heartbeat of American democracy."
See the statement here.
Voting Rights Groups Vow to Defeat Measure Restricting Ballot Access
A broad coalition of voting rights, disability rights, community and labor organizations, has vowed to defeat an anti-voter proposition that is headed for the November ballot. The California Voter Identification, Citizenship Verification, and Registered Voter List Administration Initiative has qualified for the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment. The measure would make it harder for millions of eligible Californians to vote, expose voters to potential identity theft, and cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.
The measure would require the roughly 80% of Californians who vote by mail to write the last four digits of their government ID number on the outside of their ballot envelope, exposing millions of voters to potential identity fraud.
See the press release and a full list of coalition partners here.
Learn more about League Action and Speak out with the League
You can find out more about action the League is taking to defend democracy, amplify the League's voice, and increase our impact for change by responding to Action Alerts from LWVUS and LWVC.
Sign up for LWVC Communications
Take Action | League of Women Voters
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STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY YARD SIGNS | | As the window rapidly closes to protect voters during the critical 2026 midterm election season, we're mobilizing to defend the freedom to vote and ensure every voice is heard. Please make a gift of $26 or more today to show your support. As a thank you, you'll receive a limited-edition League yard sign while supplies last.
Get your yard sign here. | | | |
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION - NIPOMO | MAY 26 | | Tuesday, May 26, 2026
3:00 to 4:30 PM
Nipomo Library, 918 W. Tefft St., Nipomo
Free to attend
Maybe you joined the League a while back and life got busy. Maybe you just became a member and you are still figuring out what that means. Either way, May 26 is your invitation. Come hear why other members got involved and find out where you fit in. Contact Jacquie Canfield at membership@lwvslo.org with questions.
Register | | | |
WEBINAR: ICE AND THE LAW | JUNE 3 |
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 | at Noon
On Zoom | Free | Registration required
What does the law actually require of ICE, and what happens when enforcement doesn't follow it? LWV SLOCO's Lunch with the League webinar brings together a legal expert, a community advocate, and a political science professor to examine how constitutional and federal law are meant to govern immigration enforcement, and where accountability breaks down in practice.
Register to Attend
| | | | ICE and the Law: Rights, Limits, and Accountability features Sarah Goss, Esq. (San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation), Primitiva Hernandez (805Undocufund), and Jared Van Ramshorst (Cal Poly Political Science), moderated by Rita Casaverde (Diversity Coalition SLO County). The conversation is grounded in real community experience, with space for practical next steps. | |
2026 SPRING MEETING | JUNE 6 |
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Doors open at 9:00 AM
Program 9:30 to 11:30 AM
Ventana Grill, 2575 Price Street, Pismo Beach
$40 per person, includes continental breakfast
Members and non-members welcome
Registration closes on May 26. | | | If you have been looking for an honest conversation about difficult times and a genuine reason to feel hopeful, this is your morning. The Civil Discourse Committee will lead "Coping With Chaos," and guest speaker Kaila Dettman of The Land Conservancy will share "Finding Hope in Nature." Ed Cabrera's year-in-review slide show rounds it out. Seats are limited. | |
VIRTUAL NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION | JUNE 13 | | Saturday, June 13, 2026
10:00 to 11:30 AM | Via Zoom
Learn about the mission and nonpartisan role of the League of Women Voters and how LWV SLOCO works at the local, state, and national levels. Hear from fellow members about why they joined, and find out ways to get involved. New members, longtime members, and curious community members are all welcome.
Register to Attend | | | |
SOUTH COUNTY MEMBER SOCIAL | JUNE 16 | | Tuesday, June 16, 2026
4:00 to 6:00 PM
1070 Gracie Lane, Nipomo
Free to attend
League members and curious community friends are all welcome at this relaxed South County gathering. Come for the conversation, stay for the connection.
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JUNETEENTH & PRIDE IN THE PLAZA |  | Juneteenth | June 20
LWV SLOCO will join NAACP SLO County at Mission Plaza for the celebration of Juneteenth. This year's theme is "Celebrating Freedom: Rooted in Legacy, Rising in Power." The event features music and dance performances, speakers, and a resource fair.
Volunteer slots for Juneteenth are filled, but all are welcome to attend and stop by our booth for a Forever Voter wristband. |  | Pride in the Plaza | June 27
LWV SLOCO will be at Pride in the Plaza hosted by the GALA Pride and Diversity Center. Join us for a few hours of civic engagement, community connection, and voter outreach at one of SLO's most vibrant celebrations.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR & MORE |
Happening in our community! These events are shared as a resource for our readers and do not represent an endorsement by LWV SLOCO. |
Webinar Replay: CA Insurance Commissioner Candidates Forum April 29,2026
https://youtu.be/97nTcNHYbOM
Webinar Replay: Strengthening Democracy | Understanding Primary Election Reform in California
https://youtu.be/gfeMF3MbhoU
Pour for Pride | May 24
Sunday, May 24, 2026 | 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Talley Vineyards, 3031 Lopez Drive, Arroyo Grande
Free event with live music, silent auction, and wine tasting. 10% of wine sales benefit GALA Pride & Diversity Center.
Vines that ECHO | June 5
Thursday, June 5, 2026 | 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Copia Vineyard, 5076 Mustard Creek Road, Paso Robles
Four-course dinner and auction benefiting El Camino Homeless Organization's Building Hope & Home Campaign. Learn more and register.
Pride Brunch 2026 | June 7
Sunday, June 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
The Chapman Estate, 1243 Ocean Boulevard, Pismo Beach
Tickets from $60. Register here.
Electrify Your Home Webinar | June 10
Tuesday, June 10, 2026 | 2:00 PM
Virtual via Zoom
Local experts will break down the how and why of transitioning to an electric home. Register here.
| League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County
The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to people 16 years and older, of all gender identities. With over 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations. | |