| September 2025 Volume 53 No.1 | | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. | | |  | | Hope your summer is going well and giving you time to relax and visit family and friends.
In recent months we have heard some strong statements from the National League of Women Voter including the declaration that we are in a constitutional crisis. Whether folks agreed with the statement or not many have asked how can we make such statements if we are a nonpartisan organization? Here is an excellent explanation written by Celina Stewart, CEO of LWVUS. It is worthy of having this outstanding explanation at the ready when questions about this issue arise. Here are her words:
We are nonpartisan, not neutral. Remaining nonpartisan does not mean staying silent.
When democracy itself is under threat, voter access is restricted, or misinformation spreads, the League has a responsibility to speak out clearly and forcefully. Our nonpartisan commitment means the League acts based on our policies and principles, not because of political parties.
We advocate for fundamental rights and freedoms regardless of which political party is in power or which officials are responsible. Focusing on our issues, not affiliations, strengthens our voice and credibility. We hold true to our mission without being beholden to any political agenda. | | Hopefully you have seen the E-Blast about the new leadership program that our League and other local leaders are developing in partnership with De Anza College. This program will be offered through De Anza’s Community Education Program.
The course will be designed to educate and encourage future: school board members, council members, commissioners, and community leaders to become involved and serve the cities on the west side of Santa Clara County that do not currently have Leadership programs.
This group has created a short survey to learn about the community’s initial thoughts about such a program like this and gage potential interest in a leadership class.
If you have not already done so, will you please take a few minutes to complete this survey by clicking here.
Feel free to forward this to others in your network who might be interested in public service, civic engagement, the future of our community or leadership development. This is one of our League’s main programs for this year and we need your input to move forward with our work.
Be on the lookout for Eblasts that will be announcing some exciting upcoming events!
Hope to see you at our upcoming events.
Polly Bove and Tracey Edwards, your co-presidents | | | ________________________________________
|  | | The League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale has been working with members of other local groups to develop a new community leadership training program designed to identify, train, and launch the next generation of civic leaders across Cupertino and surrounding communities.
It will equip participants with practical leadership tools, insider knowledge of public systems and real-world experience through connections to current civic leaders, field visits, group projects and mentorship. Those completing this course will leave with the knowledge and confidence to run for office, serve on a commission, lead nonprofit initiatives or simply be more engaged civic leaders within their communities. | | We are fortunate to have De Anza College as a key partner. Their support will provide operational infrastructure including development of a program website, promotion and marketing assistance, curriculum development, registration services, and use of their classrooms and facilities.
Our communities need a pipeline of ethical, capable, and service-minded leaders. Once fully launched this program will train 15 – 25 potential leaders each year. Some early one-day sessions may be used to build interest for the pilot program which is designed as a twelve-week course. Stay tuned for more information about when these classes will be available. In the meantime, share this good news with anyone you know, especially those who might be good candidates. | | |  | The November 4 election is coming quickly, and the ballot has more than we expected! There are now three items on the November ballot, plus the possibility of a run-off election in December.
What is on the ballot?
Santa Clara County Assessor: The current County Assessor is retiring. This is a vote for his replacement. If no candidate receives over 50% of the vote on November 4, a run-off election will be held on December 30.
Santa Clara County Measure A: This measure proposes a 0.625% sales tax increase, which would take effect in April 2026.
California Proposition 50: The "Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment," would revise the map of California’s congressional districts.
Want to learn more?
Join us on Tuesday, October 7, at 7:00pm for a Candidate Forum and Pro-Con Presentation hosted by the 5 League of Women Voters chapters in Santa Clara County, including LWVCS. This is a hybrid event - you can attend in person at the Quinlan Center in Cupertino or participate via Zoom. Click HERE to register. A recording of the event will be posted to our website after the event.
Ready to vote?
Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters starting October 6. You can return your ballot by mail, at a designated dropbox, or at any Vote Center in Santa Clara County. Some Vote Centers open on September 25, with more opening on November 1.
Check the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters website for all your voting needs. You can check your Voter Registration status, sign up for "Track My Ballot" alerts, and find the nearest dropbox or vote center. More information is also included on our website here - Nov 4 2025. | Play a critical role in this November’s Special Election!
As you are aware, we will have a special election on November 4, 2025.California offers voters vote-by-mail and early voting in vote centers, and of course election day voting services. Our Registrar of Voters relies on workers (members of groups like ours) to provide reliable individuals to help with County-wide elections. \Our league participated for the first time in the November 2024's election. \We all donated our stipends and LWVCS raised over $3500!
I am again organizing our members (and their friends/family members) to participate in this November's special election.
What's needed:
Every job is done by a team of two--so it would be great if you have a friend or a family member you want to work with)
Required training (around 1 ½ hours): some time between October 4 and October 18. Either with our group or arrange training on your own—sign up on ROV’s website. More info to be shared after signup. ·
Positions:
- Couriers for Drop Boxes (pick up from a Drop Box at an assigned time and deliver ballots to the ROV). Arrive at the Drop Box at 8PM on election day (November 4)
- Couriers for Logistics and Supplies Center (LaSC)--we will be stationed at the ROV, job is to deliver supplies to Vote Center upon request (you may have a lot of downtime while you are on call at the ROV)
- LaSC Coordinators (at the ROV)--in charge of sending couriers out as needed to deliver supplies to Vote Centers. You may have some downtime while you are on shift.
Sign-ups for these positions are on our website - HERE
The LaSC manager at the ROV has given us slots of one Coordinator Team on Nov 1, 2, 3, and 4, and one LaSC courier team. She would also appreciate coverage for early voting, which starts on October 25.
Anyone interested in working early voting days (October 25-October 31) PLEASE let me know which day(s) you like to work. Any number of days you can help will be much appreciated. Hours are 8AM-5 PM every day of early voting, and 8AM-7PM on Election Day.
Note about LaSC Coordinators and LaSC Couriers: These positions will have downtime during their shifts. You MUST be at the ROV LaSC the entire time (you do get lunch break). I'd spent 3 days there last November and it was a nice experience--I got to know a few other volunteers since we spent most of the day working as partners. Others brought laptops to either work or watch videos or books to read. |
Join a Committee - contact communications@lwvcs.org for questions.
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You can view recordings from all our Coffee Hours here.
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| _______________________________________ | Join our Civic Engagement Committee to participate, learn, and develop skills in civic participation!
We meet on the third Monday of the month at 1pm via Zoom here - and all are welcome!
Our next planning meeting is September 15th. If you are interested in learning about and practicing civic engagement - join us! | ________________________________________ | | And don't miss our September 25th event on Artificial Intelligence:
Surviving in the Brave New World of AI, Microtargeting and Disinformation!
REGISTER HERE | | | 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 27, 2025
The League of Women Voters of California will not take a position on Proposition 50.
This statement explains our stance, provides context for it, and shifts the focus to empowering California voters.
Early in the process, before the ballot language was written, we, along with several other good government groups, issued independent statements opposing mid-cycle redistricting. This was consistent with the League’s long-standing positions at both the state and national level. Since then, and on the heels of Texas’ decision, California Governor Newsom and the legislature moved forward to do mid-cycle redistricting. Now, the ballot measure language has been finalized. While the process for the redistricting in California differs from what is happening in Texas, the California League recognizes the importance of staying aligned with our national League and with state and local Leagues, such as in Texas, that are, or may soon be, in court challenging unfair maps.
With all of these factors in mind, we have decided not to take a position on Proposition 50.
On the proposed maps themselves, our policy is clear: the people most affected by district maps, especially communities of color who are often underrepresented, should be the ones to decide if those maps are fair. Many of our partners in Latino, AAPI, and Black communities are still reviewing the California map and forming their positions. We will defer to them to share their conclusions.
The League of Women Voters of California is a nonpartisan organization. Every day we fight in the courts and in the legislature to protect Californians from President Trump’s authoritarian actions that threaten the rights and freedoms of all Americans. Our record on this is public and clear.
The League of Women Voters of California has always spoken truth, fought voter suppression, and stood in community for racial justice and democracy. We are a scrappy, grassroots, fire-fueled movement that will not allow democracy to be stolen. Donald Trump is using common tactics of an aspiring dictator: divide opposition, pit people against each other, and sow distrust. A well-worn tactic in that playbook is scapegoating, often by fueling anger and violence toward women. In recent weeks, the LWVC has received thousands of misogynistic, hate-filled emails. The League was forged in struggle, and we will not allow ourselves to be used as a scapegoat.
Authoritarianism is the enemy, not the League of Women Voters of California.
Now it is time for the voters to decide. Special elections often see low and unrepresentative turnout. The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund will work to ensure that the full diversity of California voters participate in the November 4, 2025 election, and that every voter has access to the non-partisan, in-language, and factual information they need to cast an informed vote.
Do not let partisan politics divide us. Now more than ever, we must stand together. And now more than ever, California voters need the League.
| ________________________________________ | LWC Bay Area - LWVBA
LWVBA Board meetings are the third Monday of the month - and all are welcome! Join via the Calendar link on the LWVBA website.
Catch up on Bay Area Monitor Notes - here
LWVBA Program Priorities:
- Housing and Homelessness
- Support the implementation of sustainable, integrated regional governing policies and practices that recognize the interdependence of environmental, social; health, and economic impacts, and provide for long term protection of natural and social resources.
- Advocate how agencies address the interrelated regional issues of housing, transportation, conservation of natural and agricultural landscapes, climate change/sea level rise, social and health community equity, in a truly integrated and holistic fashion.
- Extend Regional Government and Planning Study position consensus building with Leagues
You can view prior event recordings here. | ________________________________________ | City of Cupertino
City Council Meetings - (Check website for current dates)
Cupertino Chamber of Commerce - check out their activities here | ________________________________________ | Sunnyvale City Events Calendar - and More... here
City Council Meetings - more info Here.
Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce events | ________________________________________ |
New Board Members
Election of 2025-2027 Officers, Directors, and Nominating Committee
| Officers
| Co-Presidents |
Tracey Edwards & Polly Bove |
| Vice President |
Open |
| Secretary |
Debbie Timmers |
Directors
| Voter Service |
Pamela Anderson |
| Membership |
Nina Wong-Dobkin |
| Online Access Team |
Marilyn Sherry |
| Social Media |
Aryaa Vijayakar |
| Communications |
Meagan McLeod |
| Technical Services Director |
Bruce Kendall |
Nominating Committee
| Chair |
Tara Sreekrishnan |
| Committee Member |
Rosa Kim |
| Committee Member |
Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto |
| LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale Board Meeting Notes (August):
- Reviewed the LWVC convention and key takeaways
- Introduced new board members and training topics
- Highlighted November 4 election activities and how members can get involved to volunteer with the ROV
| ____________________________________________ | 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.
To get more information about the League, Join, Renew or Donate, click here.
| | | ____________________________________________ | | 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:
Editor: Meagan McLeod
| | 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
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