Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Your Vote is Your Voice | |
Easy Voter Guide Now Available
| | | | This “special election” is to decide whether to temporarily change California’s Congressional voting districts through 2030 and then give map-drawing back to the Citizens Redistricting Commission in 2031. Voters will also decide on whether the state should encourage the use of independent commissions to draw voting maps across the U.S.A. You can find the new and old map at https://statewidedatabase.org/d25/draft-districts/ | |
Pedro Toledo
on
Prop 50 and Redistricting
October 6, 5:00 pm
On Zoom
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To help us understand how redistricting is supposed to work and what the proposed new district map that includes parts of Sonoma County looks like, please hear what Pedro Toledo, a Commissioner on the independent 2020 CA Citizen's Redistricting Commission and the Executive Director of Petaluma Health Center, has to say on Monday, October 6th at 5PM. This is a virtual meeting.
Invite your friends and family to join this timely event. It’s free and registration is not required.
| | Link to Recording of September 28 Presentation Now Available
Many useful links are available in the slides from this presentation.
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Contact Your Representatives | | |
AB 1071
AB 1071 (Kalra) strengthens California’s commitment to a justice system free from racial bias. Help us get this reform across the finish line.
California is one signature away from a stronger, fairer justice system. To ensure the landmark Racial Justice Act (RJA) delivers on its promise of equal treatment under the law, we need you to ask Governor Newsom to sign AB 1071.
The RJA was a historic step toward confronting racial bias in our courts, but gaps in implementation are leaving people unprotected. Courts have struggled to apply the law consistently, creating unnecessary barriers for those seeking relief from convictions or sentences influenced by race, ethnicity, or national origin.
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AB 1071 fixes roadblocks to enforcing the law. It removes procedural barriers and gives courts the guidance they need to enforce the RJA. The bill:
- Clarifies that people who have been convicted and have a claim under the RJA must be provided with a lawyer if they can’t afford one, or if the State Public Defender asks for it.
- Guarantees access to crucial information so people can bring claims under the RJA.
- Requires courts to take action if racial discrimination or bias is proven, while giving judges the choice as to what the right action should be.
AB 1071 reflects lessons from real cases and feedback from public defenders, legal practitioners, and the California Supreme Court. It keeps the Legislature’s intent clear: racism has no place in our justice system. As co-sponsors of both the original RJA and the Racial Justice Act for All, the League of Women Voters of California remains deeply committed to ensuring the law works as intended.
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SB 42
We are one step away from giving voters the opportunity to lift the ban on public financing in California. All we need is the Governor’s signature on SB 42 (Umberg) and then it will go on the November 2026 ballot.
Big money in politics is drowning out voters – and Californians have had enough. Wealthy donors and special interests have too much power over our elected officials. Mega-donors and corporate-funded independent expenditures are dominating our elections, sidelining everyday voters and eroding trust in government.
That’s why the League of Women Voters of California is sponsoring SB 42.
SB 42 is a bold step to take back our democracy. It would lift California’s outdated ban on public financing of campaigns. SB 42 has passed the Legislature, and now we need the Governor to sign it to put the measure on the November 2026 ballot.
SB 42 doesn’t impose public financing – it gives voters the power to choose it.
- Public financing amplifies the voices of small donors and everyday voters.
- It lowers barriers to running for office, helping build a more diverse and representative democracy.
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It restores trust by reducing the stranglehold of wealthy special interests on our political system.
The League has fought for decades to curb big money’s grip on politics and restore equity, transparency, and accountability.
SB 42 is our next crucial step—and it needs your voice.
Ask Governor Newsome to Sign SB42 Now
| The League will send out calls to action to members and other interested parties from time to time.
You can sign up for ongoing Action Alerts at the National, State, And local Level:
For National Alerts, go to the LWVUS "Take Action" page, and scroll to the bottom to "Sign Up for Email: LINK TO LWVUS ALERTS
For LWV California Alerts, go to "LWVC Sign up for Communication": LINK TO LWVC ALERTS SIGN-UP
Sonoma County Alerts are sent to all members. I you are not a member, you can also receive Alerts and other communication by clicking on the "Add Me to Your Mailing List" link in the upper right of the web page .LWV SONOMA WEBSITE
| Community Events
Of Interest to Voters, Held by Other Organizations. | | No Kings Rally
Saturday, October 18, 2025
11:00 AM until 2:00 PM
3rd Street and B Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
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The LWVUS has joined No Kings 2 as a national partner for this day of mobilization.
This is not a League sponsored event. Please contact the sponsor of the event to get further information.
In the past month, the executive abuse of power has reached new levels.
They have sent the National Guard into American cities to patrol our streets. This administration has slashed Medicaid, sent masked officers into our communities to conduct raids in communities across the country, opened new detention centers mired in reports of inhumane treatment and due process violations.
This is the moment for national action. We showed the strength of our movement this summer with millions peacefully turning out to condemn the administration's abuse of power – and we're ready to do it again.
We're teaming up with partners to lead another nationwide day of peaceful protests on Saturday, October 18.
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Suffs--The Musical
October 25, 7:30
Orpheum Theater
San Francisco
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Here is the link for tickets. It applies the promo automatically.
If you contact them some other way, the promo code is LWVSONOMA.
| Check the Online Calendar for the latest schedule
and for locations or links to virtual meetings.
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Become a Member
League of Women Voters Sonoma County
The most direct way to join or renew your membership is to go to our web site https://www.lwvsonoma.org and click on the Join Us button to fill in your contact information, preferences. You may pay your dues online, or you can print out your invoice and send it along with your dues to our office at the address below.
| Here are some links of interest. | 555 Fifth Street, Suite 300-O
Santa Rosa, CA 95401-8301
(707) 545-5943
www.lwvsonoma.org
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