| December 2023 Volume 51 No. 5 | | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. | | | __________________________________ | | Warmest Wishes for Wonderful Holidays for All!
From LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale to all its members and supporters | __________________________________ | |
Goodbye 2023, Hello 2024!
2023 was very busy
Community and member engagement: Including,
- Held Civil Discourse conversations
- Had Coffee hours
- Very actively engaged with FUHSD to expand the community input for creating their districts
- Drove modification of the City of Cupertino Lobbying Statue
- We had the opportunity to collaborate with Leadership Sunnyvale on one of their trainings
- Upgraded our technology, and
- Hired interns.
| | | 2024 is looking to be more ambitious
We will continue to expand our outreach and engagement of voters in 2024.
Including,
For 2024, LWV California has made a strategic decision to transition from VotersEdge to Vote411 which is used in the majority of states. We’ll be sharing more about this in the coming months. We could use your help on this conversion. Please let us know if you would like to work on this project.
In 2024, the districting process will be in full gear. We encourage you to participate in this important process.
We will be completing a FAQ on how judges are selected and voted on in California, and
Of course we will provide many candidate forums and ProCon presentations for ballot measures
If you would like to work on any of the items mentioned please contact us as Presidents@lwvcs.org.
Our mission is to educate voters and make democracy work. Our nation depends on the active participation of its residents to have a functioning democracy. The less involved, the higher the risk of a special interest taking control for their purposes rather than for the good of all. Please stay or get civically engaged. Our future will be as good as we make it.
Interesting fact: On December 1, 1955 – Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white person; her arrest sparked the modern civil rights movement in the US.
We hope you enjoy the holiday season. We look forward to seeing you and working with you soon.
Elaine & Tracey, Co-Presidents | __________________________________ | __________________________________ |
- LWVCS Oct. Board Meeting - Dec. 4, 7pm
- LWVCS Coffee Hour - Dec. 21, 11-12, join here
- LWVCS Communications Committee Meeting - Dec. 21, 3pm
- LWVCS OAT Meeting, Jan. 3, 2024 at 3pm
- LWV Santa Clara County Civil Discourse Committee - Dec 14, 3pm, join here
| __________________________________ | __________________________________ | Celebrating Life Membership in the League of Women Voters
Marilyn Howard (right photo) and I have achieved Life Membership - which is 50 years as a member of the League of Women Voters.
All 50 years, for both of us, has been with the Cupertino-Sunnyvale League. Marilyn has moved out of the area but continues to be a member in the League where she began. I continue to live in Cupertino where I have benefited from all the League has provided for me: mentoring, training, learning, and the satisfaction of serving the community.
Both Marilyn and I have been very active in Voter Service all our League life. Marilyn feels that the League, “is the best organization out there that emphasizes the importance of voting.” She continues with Voter Service by registering voters in her area every time an election is coming up.
Early in my League life I had two mentors who taught me all I know about League and helped me understand where I fit in. I am now trying to pay this forward. I hope many of you will continue your League membership and receive the satisfactions that Marilyn and I have received.
By Roberta Hollimon (left photo)
(Editor's comment: Both women have been models for League and wholeheartedly supported members - and we celebrate and thank them!) | __________________________________ |  |
Introducing Ranked Choice Voting to Santa Clara County!
The California Ranked Choice Voting Coalition, CalRCV, is hosting listening sessions to inform the community about an exciting new law that will give the County of Santa Clara the ability to implement Ranked Choice Voting for County elections.
Ranked Choice Voting was recently adopted in Bay Area cities such as San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley, allowing voters to rank their preferred candidates, with the winner determined by a simple majority.
Santa Clara County has shown an interest in ranked choice voting for some time. In 1998, voters passed Measure F which ensured ranked choice voting would not be prohibited in the county legislature. In 2019, the county purchased new voting machines that would make ranked choice voting possible.
We hope you’ll join us at one of our upcoming listening sessions to learn more:
Ranked Choice Voting Listening Sessions – December 6 & 14, 6-7pm in person & via Zoom:
Ranked Choice Voting – LWV Position: VOTER REPRESENTATION/ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
The League’s Position Statement of Position on Voter Representation/Electoral Systems as adopted by concurrence by the 54th National Convention in June 2020:
LWVUS promotes an open governmental system that is representative, accountable, and responsive. We encourage electoral methods that provide the broadest voter representation possible and are expressive of voter choices. Whether for single- or multiple-winner contests, the League supports electoral methods that:
• Encourage voter participation and voter engagement.
• Encourage those with minority opinions to participate, including under-represented communities.
• Are verifiable and auditable.
• Promote access to voting.
• Maximize effective votes/minimize wasted votes.
• Promote sincere voting over strategic voting.
• Implement alternatives to plurality voting.
• Are compatible with acceptable ballot-casting methods, including vote-by-mail.
The LWVUS believes in representative government. The League supports electoral systems that elect policymaking bodies–-legislatures, councils, commissions, and boards — that proportionally reflect the people they represent. We support systems that inhibit political manipulation (e.g., gerrymandering). The LWVUS supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore alternative electoral methods, as well as supporting state election laws allowing for more options at both the state and local levels. With the adoption of any electoral system, the League believes that education of the voting public is important and funding for startup and voter education should be available. We encourage a concerted voter education process.
BTW, here's a link that explains the Star voting method vs the RCV method: https://www.starvoting.org/rcv_v_star
| __________________________________ | | It's LWVCS Voter Service Time Again!
Next 2024 Voter Service Meeting, December 11, 7:30pm via Zoom! Mtg ID: 89868301655; Passcode: 463910
It's time to prepare for the 2024 elections. California will hold primary elections on March 5, 2024 and the General Election is November 5, 2024.
LWVCS is planning to host candidate forums and prepare Pro Con presentations as needed for these elections. The purpose of this meeting is to bring together members who want to help us plan and execute these activities. There are a variety of tasks that need to be completed, and we definitely need your help.
Voter Service Chair, Pam Anderson | | | __________________________________ | Why Volunteer? 
Volunteering with the League is a great way to give back to your community. We can all feel a desire to "do something" to help solve the problems we see in the world. In the League, we take action to influence public policy and to educate and engage voters. Are you interested in joining our efforts? We'd love to have you.
What can I do?
- Register and turn out voters by:
- joining us to register voters at local events
- helping with GOTV campaigns
- draft GOTV flyers
- Educate the electorate by:
- assisting with candidate forums
- researching ballot measures
- help plan educational speaker events
- Advocate for local policy by:
- studying local issues (housing, climate, water, etc.)
- draft advocacy correspondence for voter registration and voting
- Engage young voters and future voters by:
- Participate in school board meetings
- attending certain school events
- Help with the nuts & bolts by:
- drafting press releases or event recaps, posting on social media, creating graphics, preparing action alerts
- Sign me up here!
| __________________________________ | |
LWVCS Coffee Hour - Share a Hearty Cup of LWVCS Information!
Join us for our regular third Thursday, December 21st Coffee Hour at 11am here
Explore opportunities to be active in League -
- How to help with Voter Service:
- Contact candidates
- Help with candidate forums
- Participate in Pro/Cons
- Write a VOTER article
- Help with events | | |
Fighting Mis/Disinformation - Your Monthly Tip
Learn about how misinformation and disinformation get started and how they grow, and discover strategies to fight back, by reading the Civic Information Handbook, a recent PDF publication recommended by LWV California. It's well worth downloading or bookmarking!
Published by the Center for Information, Technology and Public Life, the description reads, "This handbook will function as a media literacy tool, giving readers the skills and opportunity to consider who is behind networked information campaigns and how they spread their messages.
"Its focus is limited to how information spreads on social media, but modern networked information campaigns work across an entire ecosystem of on- and offline tactics."
This resource tip is part of the LWVDV Program Priority for 2023-24, Educating on Mis/Disinformation to restore trust in election information. Look for more tips in coming months.
| __________________________________ | LWV National - LWVUS
-
| Framing the Future ZOOMS - Register to attend monthly Framing the Future Office Hours hosted by LWVUS - third Wednesday of the month at 1pm. |
| __________________________________ | | LWV Santa Clara County
Civil Discourse Committee
Our regular monthly meetings to update events and plan our 2023 program have begun!
Our upcoming program series is titled "BS and the Brain - Mis and Disinformation" - you may have seen the first workshop in October.
Help us with the planning!
Join our next meeting December 14, 3pm here
| | | __________________________________ | LWC Bay Area - LWVBA
-
Health Equity Series
-
Legislating Health Event - Rescheduled until late 2024 due to Election issues.
-
January Event: Death vs. Dollars: Chronic Health Issues – Long COVID, Lyme & Tick Borne Diseases, Asthma
- Debrief on BAHFA program - LWVBA Video BAHFA with Kate Hartley: BAHFA
- Save the Date - Bay Area League Day - "Connecting the Dots: Building Healthy Communities" March 9, 2024
| __________________________________ | Related Organization Events:
- Trustee Area Community Workshops
These workshops are an opportunity for the community to learn about the transition to By-Trustee Areas, review the preliminary map scenarios, provide feedback and input, and learn how to the use mapping software to design your own map. Dinner will be provided.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/k3h78mz5
- Fremont Union High School District
Thursday, December 7, 2023 - 6:30 to 8 PM
589 W. Fremont Ave., Sunnyvale
- Columbia Middle School - Library
Saturday, December 9, 2023 - 9:30 to 11 AM
739 Morse Ave., Sunnyvale
- Quinlan Community Center
Thursday, December 14, 2023 - 6:30 to 8 PM
10185 N. Stelling Rd., Cupertino
Individuals may bring a laptop or tablet if they want to have hands-on experience with the mapping software during the workshop, but this is not required. Limited devices will be available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TRUSTEE AREAS
www.fuhsd.org/trustee-areas
-
Loyalists vs. Patriots and the American Revolution. Dec. 13, 9AM. Sponsored by the National Constitution Center | America’s Town Hall Series. Featuring Joyce Lee Malcolm, author of The Times That Try Men’s Souls: The Adams, the Quincys, and the Families Divided by the American Revolution – and How They Shaped a New Nation; and Eli Merritt, author of Disunion Among Ourselves: The Perilous Politics of the American Revolution. Panelists will explore the origins and clashing ideologies during the American Revolution, how Loyalists and Patriots were divided, and the how the differing opinions of both groups continue to shape our understanding of American identity. Jeffrey Rosen, president/CEO of the National Constitution Center will moderate. Click here to register.
- Youth Voter Toolkit link here
-
From the Santa Clara County Library:
Have you checked out your library programs lately – lots going on!
Programs for youth, teens, and even adults. Just like LWVCS, they are looking for volunteers – for tutoring who are willing to provide homework help to students in grades K-6 in the topics of Math, Science, and English.
Take a peek here.
-
-
Lunch w/San Jose Santa Clara League Sheriff Jonsen Interview:
View this engaging presentation and conversation with our new Sheriff of Santa Clara County.
You can see this video on the Lunch with League Archive page now.
| __________________________________ |
City Meeting Agenda
|
City Council Meetings December 5 & December 19, 6:45pm
Agenda link here. Contact Phone: 408.777.3223
|
Cupertino City Updates
-
Morning Chat with Cupertino Mayor - Tuesday, December 5 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Grab your mug and a free coffee or tea on Mayor Hung Wei, and get ready to talk about the issues that matter most to you. Residents, business owners, and community members are invited to these casual meetings where they can discuss any topic they want with one of Cupertino’s decision-makers.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 5 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Holder’s Country Inn, located at 10088 North Wolfe Road.
-
Cupertino Releases Housing Element Draft
The City of Cupertino released a draft of its 6th Cycle Housing Element and is inviting public comment through December 23.. After the comment period closes, the City will review and consider all comments received and will revise the element for consideration and final adoption.Learn more from the revised version here.
-
City Council Swearing-In Ceremony is Thursday, December 14 - Join the City of Cupertino for the City Council Swearing-In Ceremony at 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 14 at Community Hall. Refreshments will be served.
Help the City estimate attendance by RSVP'ing by Thursday, December 7. RSVP HERE.
-
Would You Like to Serve on a City Commission?
The City is also recruiting to appoint a representative to the Sourcewise Advisory Council. Sourcewise is a nonprofit organization designated by the State of California as the Area Agency on Aging in Santa Clara County. The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024. Council will conduct interviews and make appointments in late January.
Applications can be submitted via the Online Commission Application atcupertino.org/vacancies. For more details, please see the website or call the City Clerk's office at (408) 777-3223.
-
Cupertino Chamber of Commerce - check out their activities here
| __________________________________ | __________________________________ |
Sunnyvale City Events Calendar - and More... here
Sunnyvale City Governance
- City Council Welcomes In-person Public Participation
- City of Sunnyvale Top 30 Project Summaries Project Summary List Has Valuable Updates On Priority Projects For Sunnyvale.
Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce Events
| __________________________________ | |
LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale
Board of Directors
Co-Presidents: Elaine Manley & Tracey Edwards
Secretary: Leigh Anne Gillis
Treasurer: Beth Claywell
Voter Service Director: Pam Anderson
Membership Director: Nina Wong-Dobkin
Online Access Team Director: Marilyn Sherry
Technical Services Director: Bruce Kendall
Online Events Coordinator: Debbie Timmers
Director at Large: Bill Wilson
Nominations Chair: Marieann Shovlin
| | | __________________________________ | LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale Board Meeting Notes - October, 2023
-
Produced FAQ for advocating oversight of judicial approval process.
-
CTAD – (Community Districting Advisory Districting) seated; LWVCS advised FUHSD to create Advisory Group for it
-
Recommended Deferring Ranked Choice Voting to after 2024 election.
-
VotersEdge is replaced by Vote411, the National voting information tool
-
Next LWVCS Board meeting Dec. 4, 7pm. Via ZOOM.
December, 2023 Quote:
“We're here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark."
Whoopi Goldberg
| __________________________________ | Elected Officials Representing Cupertino & Sunnyvale
For contact information and more detail visit:
| __________________________________ | Join the League of Women Voters
Voting membership in the League of Women Voters is open to men and women 16 years of age and beyond.
Annual Membership:
$100 Individual member
$50 for each additional member in the same household:
Free for full-time students at this time
| | | __________________________________ | | The Cupertino-Sunnyvale VOTER
Published 10 times a year by the
League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale.
This newsletter is posted on our website:
| | The LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Permission is granted to reprint any part of this newsletter with credit to the League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale | | | __________________________________ |
League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale
PO Box 2923
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
| |