Often, we are encouraged by the national or State League to write to our congress people about certain issues, but we would also love to see more letters to the editor about issues facing our county. You can respond to a story, editorial, column, or comment quoted in a news report that the newspaper has recently run. You can respond to that content by refuting a point or endorse a position. You can write a letter just to ‘vent’ or to support or criticize a certain action or policy, but you may also have suggestions about what could be done to improve the situation. Your opening sentence is very important. It should tell readers what you’re writing about and make them want to read more. Explain the issue and its importance simply. The reality for virtually every print publication is that they’d prefer to get letters and other material by e-mail, since everything they publish is set up on a computer and printed straight from software. If you send your letter electronically, all they have to do is transfer it directly to the “letters” page in the software in order to print it. Be sure to write your full name (and title, if relevant) and include your address, phone number, and e-mail address. 

Write to editor@pressdemocrat.com or editor@sonomacountygazette.com

April is Volunteer Recognition Month and since the League of Women Voters is all volunteer, we want to thank so many of our members who help out. There is a role for any of you who want to get involved. On our web site, you will find opportunities for volunteering. We especially need help with social media and marketing which can be done from your home. If you would like to learn more about this, we can train you to post events on Facebook or newspapers or other media as well as write articles for publication. We will be tabling at markets and events around the county to register voters. We will train volunteers to go into High schools to inform and register students. If you have read a great book, you could lead a discussion for our book club. You can help us monitor legislation. And we will need lots of volunteers for the election in the fall.  We also have a couple of board positions open. You can email me at president@lwvsonoma.org if you have any questions.

Whatever your passion, we can find you a place in the League to make a difference.

Don’t wait to be asked - Show up, stand up, and speak up!

In April, "Home on the River" a local publication for the West County area, is honoring our League President,  Donna Roper, a woman whose life, by her own description, is defined by volunteerism. From her early days tutoring children with developmental delays to her decades of leadership with River to Coast Children's Services and the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County, Donna has been a quiet, constant force for good in West County. Her story is one of a life shaped by saying yes: to community, to neighbors, and to the belief that showing up matters.  Read the full article at https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=935005222791231&set=pcb.935007086124378

This is a very short-term, immediate volunteer need that consists of attending two Zoom budget planning meetings in April. It is an easy, painless way to learn a lot about LWV of Sonoma activities.  Scheduling is flexible. Contact Sara Ingle, treasurer@lwvsonoma.org. 

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026-2027 Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury, the independent watchdog that investigates cities, special districts and County departments to ensure they operate efficiently, honestly and fairly.

Serving on the Civil Grand Jury offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how local government functions in Sonoma County. It’s also a chance to meet engaged residents and dedicated public servants, discuss issues that affect the community and help shape meaningful improvements.

Jurors typically spend about 10 hours a week on one investigation, and more if they choose to take on additional projects. They conduct research and interviews, collaborate with fellow jurors and help prepare public reports with findings and recommendations.

This important civic role is not just for retirees. Court leaders and current jurors are working to broaden participation across age groups, professions and life experiences, recognizing that diverse perspectives strengthen government oversight and accountability.

Residents interested in serving are encouraged to apply by May 15th: https://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/general-information/grand-jury

Dear Friends,

It has been one of those weeks where each day seems to bring a new and deeply troubling development for our democracy. At the national, state, and local levels, we are seeing a steady drumbeat of actions and rhetoric that, taken together, point in the same direction: toward restricting access to the ballot and concentrating power over our elections.

On Wednesday, President Trump issued an Executive Order containing illegal threats to mail-in voting and threatening criminal prosecution of local election officials who don’t fall in line.  As part of the newly formed California Democracy Partnership, we quickly condemned it. As we shared in that statement, this Order would undermine secure, widely used election systems, suppress voter participation, and improperly expand federal control over state-run elections.

Here in California, we are confronting parallel threats. A new voter ID initiative that is likely to qualify for the November 2026 ballot would impose strict new requirements that risk disenfranchising voters and raise serious privacy concerns. And in Riverside County, Sheriff Chad Bianco’s unprecedented seizure of ballots has raised urgent questions about interference in the electoral process.

Against this backdrop, the League of Women Voters of California is taking action. We recently submitted an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief to the California Supreme Court in Cervantes v. Bianco, standing firmly in defense of the rule of law and the integrity of our election systems. Our message is clear: elections must be administered by trained, nonpartisan professionals - not subject to interference, intimidation, or political agendas.

What connects all these developments is simple but profound. They are all efforts to make it harder for people to vote, creating fear, confusion, and barriers around a fundamental right that should be freely exercised.

At the League, we refuse to accept that narrowing. We will continue to fight - in the courts, in our communities, and at the ballot box - to ensure that every eligible voter can participate in our democracy safely, securely, and without unnecessary barriers.

Thank you for standing with us in this work. Our democracy depends on it.

Sincerely,

Jenny Farrell

 
Executive Director
League of Women Voters of California

LWV SoCo’s Youth Outreach members joined staffers from Sonoma County Registrar of Voters on March 31st for a student-designed assembly to pre-register and register voters at Casa Grande High School in Petaluma. Our volunteers were Robyn Bramhall, Diane Griffeath, Kendall Gutt, Leona Judson, Jill Ravitch and Chris Riezenman.

Casa Grande Assistant Principal Chris Knight opened the assembly by welcoming students from 5 social studies classes - 150 in all - then handed the mic to Associated Student Body (ASB) President Jack Dufour. Jack told of his decision to run for office in order to bring about some needed changes on campus, including a new drinking fountain near a sports field. A troupe of ASB officers then appeared on stage for a skit about the potential dangers of NOT voting (among them, “plain salad for lunch every day!”). Robyn then spoke about the power of the vote to impact daily life, using the example of minimum wage, set by legislators elected by “registered voters who vote” at the federal, state and local level. The students quickly took up the quoted phrase as a chant, enthusiastically filling in the blank at appropriate points. 2nd District Supervisor David Rabbitt continued the theme of the impact of elected officials to make real change, focusing on his work on local and regional transportation issues. The final speaker was Registrar of Voters Evelyn Mendez, who reminded the students that pre-registration was available for students 16-17 years old, and invited them to join her team in making Sonoma County #1 in the state in pre-registration.

Many students had reportedly already registered or pre-registered in class or at the DMV, but we still collected 56 voter registration forms that day - and had a lot of fun in the process.