League of Women Voters

Dates: Tuesday, September 22nd OR Thursday, September 24th 

Location: Your couch! See your e-mail for the Zoom link!

This week, we will be getting a visit from the League of Women Voters, who will present a non-partisan, unbiased evaluation of the November 2026 state and local ballot propositions and measures. The presentation will include, for each proposition/measure, what it will do, how it changes existing law, who benefits, how much it costs and who pays for it, who supports/opposes it, and who's paying to support/oppose it.

If you have them available, you may find it useful to have any election materials you received from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters or the California Secretary of State handy in order to follow along. 

This week, before our speaker, let's take a brief look at the history of the League of Women Voters and our electoral process.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political 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. 

The League of Women Voters is a peoples' organization that has fought since 1920 to improve our government and engage all Americans in the decisions that impact their lives. They operate at national, state and local levels through more than 800 state and local Leagues, in all 50 states as well in DC, the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong. They never endorse or oppose political parties or candidates, but they are political. 

Formed from the movement that secured the right to vote for women, the centerpiece of the League’s efforts remain to expand participation and give a voice to all Americans.  

The League is different from many organizations in that what it accomplishes comes directly from the involvement of its members. It is a grassroots organization providing every member with opportunities to learn and educate others about government, and take action on public policy.  

Groups of League members meet to discuss topics in a respectful setting. They learn effective techniques for public discussion, how to advocate on specific policies, and what the issues beneath the rhetoric are. They also host public forums and debates, which are well known for being fair, transparent and civil. This approach has earned the League a global reputation for integrity and thoroughness.

The League of Women Voters emerged from the Women's Suffrage Movement, which achieved its aims 100 years ago, in 1920, when the 19th amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote. 

Check out this 4-minute video from the History Channel on the long and complicated history of the 19th amendment.

 In her address to the National American Woman Suffrage Association's (NAWSA) 50th convention in St. Louis, Missouri, President Carrie Chapman Catt proposed the creation of a "league of women voters to finish the fight and aid in the reconstruction of the nation." Women Voters was formed within the NAWSA, composed of the organizations in the states where suffrage had already been attained. The next year, on February 14, 1920 - six months before the 19th amendment to the Constitution was ratified - the League was formally organized in Chicago as the national League of Women Voters. Catt described the purpose of the new organization: 

"The League of Women Voters is not to dissolve any present organization but to unite all existing organizations of women who believe in its principles. It is not to lure women from partisanship but to combine them in an effort for legislation which will protect coming movements, which we cannot even foretell, from suffering the untoward conditions which have hindered for so long the coming of equal suffrage. Are the women of the United States big enough to see their opportunity?" 

From the very beginning, however, it was apparent that the legislative goals of the League were not exclusively focused on women's issues and that citizen education aimed at all of the electorate was in order. 

Since its inception, the League has helped millions of women and men become informed participants in government. In fact, the first league convention voted 69 separate items as statements of principle and recommendations for legislation. Among them were protection for women and children, right of working women, food supply and demand, social hygiene, the legal status of women, and American citizenship.  

The League's first major national legislative success was the passage of the Sheppard-Towner Act providing federal aid for maternal and child care programs. In the 1930's, League members worked successfully for enactment of the Social Security and Food and Drug Acts. Due at least in part to League efforts, legislation passed in 1938 and 1940 removed hundreds of federal jobs from the spoils system and placed them under Civil Service. 

During the postwar period, the League helped lead the effort to establish the United Nations and to ensure U.S. Participation. The League was one of the first organizations in the country officially recognized by the United Nations as a non-governmental organization; it still maintains official observer status today. 

So why read? There are a ton of benefits to reading, even just a few minutes a day! Check out some benefits: 

Come join us this week as we explore the big, wonderful world of books through our public libraries!

First up, are you registered to vote? In California, you are able to register to vote all the way up to election day, but getting it done earlier is always better! The last day to register online (at the link below) is October 19th. 

Check your registration status (or register to vote) here:

Once you’ve checked your registration/registered, make a voting plan!

• Election officials will begin mailing ballots by October 5th. 

• Ballots can be dropped off at official drop off locations, county elections offices, or returned by mail. Ballot drop off locations open on October 6th. 

• Want to vote in person? The first vote centers open early for in-person voting on October 24th, in Voter’s Choice Act counties (San Diego is one). These early voting locations will be open all over the state by October 31st. If you’re curious to read San Diego’s voting administration plan, you can actually read it here: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/vca/eap/san-diego-eap.pdf)

You can find a list of county election offices in California here: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/vca/eap/san-diego-eap.pdf

• If you plan on mailing your ballot, put it in the mail at least 7 days in advance. All ballots must be postmarked on or before November 3rd. If you wait until November 3rd to mail your ballot (not recommended), you can get a manual postmark inside a US Post Office to make sure your vote will be counted.

• The last day to vote is November 3rd - Polls are open from 7:00am to 8:00pm!

Ok, so you have a plan! Now how the heck are you going to figure out your vote? Where to go to get information? Check out voting guides and ballot guides here: 

You can enter your address and then review what exactly is going to be on your ballot! You can view each race (not just propositions), and review each candidate. For those who have been attending these talks for a while, this site replaces VotersEdge!

Because most of us won’t have our ballot or possibly even voter guide by the time we have class, feel free to print the next few pages to take notes during class!

Maybe you are a regular voter and you’ve participated in the last 50 elections without a miss. Or maybe you vote for the major elections or on the issues that most affect your community. 

In any case, our meeting with the League of Women Voters should provide new insights in the voting process, and our participation in democratic society.  You may even be inspired to participate in the League, or another political organization that represents your values. It’s good to get involved!

League of Women Voters Website: https://lwvsandiego.org/ 

https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections

https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices

https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/vca/eap/san-diego-eap.pdf

https://quickguidetoprops.sos.ca.gov/propositions/2026-11-03