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The Voter 11/11/24

The official newsletter of the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County.

Vol 66 | Issue 9 | Date: Nov 11, 2024

In this issue:

LWVUS ELECTION STATEMENT

The League of Women Voters of the United States president Dianna Wynn and CEO Celina Stewart released the following statement on the 2024 election results:

“The 2024 election underscores the dedication of poll workers, election officials, and volunteers nationwide, who ensured that every eligible vote was counted, and every voice was heard. This year’s election was marked by integrity, transparency, and high turnout. The American people have spoken.

“While we celebrate a fair and secure election, the outcome of this election has made the future for women unclear. Given the disturbing rhetoric made during this election season, we are deeply concerned about challenges we may face, particularly regarding the issues that disproportionately affect women, from health care and reproductive rights to economic security and equal representation.

“We are thankful to Leagues across the country for their tremendous work supporting the election infrastructure and supporting voters, as well as every election worker and democracy defender who guaranteed our fair and free voting process. We are thankful for the work they have done so far this cycle and the counting, curing, and certifying work that will take place in the weeks ahead.

“The League is dedicated to our mission of defending democracy. As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advocate for policies that uplift women and ensure equitable representation in all levels of government.”

ELECTION UPDATE

Election Day is Over! What’s Next....

As with every election, the news media will keep the public informed about the post-election processes going on throughout the country until the final count is certified, or more likely, until the media “calls” the victor in each contest. While all this is going on, Elections Officials are working diligently to ensure that every eligible ballot is processed and counted before the election is certified. In California, this process is called the canvass and counties have 30 days to complete this process and certify the election. As of election night, more than 75,000 vote-by-mail ballots had been counted. This represents ballots received by noon on Saturday.

In the coming days, the staff will begin the steps towards certification as prescribed by law, including the processing and counting of the remaining vote-by-mail ballots and the provisional ballots from Election Day. Ballots may be postmarked as late as November 5th or turned into another county. These ballots must be received within 7 days of the election so the number of remaining ballots will be in flux until this deadline has passed. As of November 8, there were 53,147 ballots left to count. There will be an updated unofficial results report posted by end of day on November 14.See the County Clerk-Recorder general election websitehere for information about the canvass including the number of ballots remaining and scheduled dates for counting.

The one date that is certain is November 13 for 1% manual tally. This tally involves hand counting the ballots in 1% of the precincts for every contest to verify and demonstrate that the ballot counting software counted and reported the outcomes correctly. After the election there is a clamor to finish the canvass quickly, especially if there are close contests, but the utmost priority is to do the job accurately, not fast. Speed is the enemy of this priority. To learn more about the canvass procedures and the steps involved, see this handy guide from the Clerk-Recorder’s office, titled WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO COUNT THE VOTEShere.

SLOCO LEAGUE IN ACTION

Kudos to LWV SLOCO Voter Service Teams
A message of thanks from Voter Service Director Julie Rodewald

Election day has passed and this “season” is officially over for our Voter Service teams. Each and every one of you who participated deserves a huge round of applause and thanks not only from the League leadership but from the voters of San Luis Obispo County. As Ed Cabrera has detailed in the following articles about Pros and Cons and Candidates Forums, it was a very busy season. Leading up to the election, the voter registration teams visited high schools and senior living communities to register/pre-register hundreds of voters. The Vote 411 team worked valiantly to make this resource accessible to voters and encourage participation from candidates. The League assisted with the Latino Empowerment Project and fostered a relationship with Cal Poly that will grow in the coming years. These efforts culminated with the League’s Adopt-a-Poll participants serving and celebrating voters throughout the county. As Voter Service Director, I am proud and humbled to lead this team of willing and oh-so-capable members in these non-partisan activities to fulfill our mission to empower voters and protect democracy.

While we are handing out praise, or as the Tribune used to offer – bouquets, we want to thank Elaina Cano and her staff for their dedication and hard work in making this election as seamless as possible. This bouquet is also extended to the hundreds of poll workers who served on Election Day to ensure voters could cast their ballots and vote for the candidates of their choice in a peaceful, organized process. It is quite a challenge when you invite over 180,000 people to a party and have no idea who will be showing up. Our wish for them is a smooth certification process and much needed rest.

Pros & Cons Presentations Inform Voters Throughout SLO County

Challenged by a daunting number of propositions on the November ballot, the Pros & Cons Committee undertook an ambitious schedule of presentations to a variety of organizations in the month of October. The presentations educated voters on the origins and makeup of the propositions, including the issues and situations that gave rise to the proposed laws, the details of the legislation, and the resulting fiscal impacts. In addition, attendees heard the arguments for and against passage along with the identification of groups supporting and opposing the proposals. Finally, the presenters spotlighted the monies raised by supporters and opponents of the measures.

Ed Cabrera, the chair of the Pros & Cons Committee, noted that the groups hosting the presentations were appreciative of the League’s efforts to provide clarity to the sometimes overwhelming amount of information provided in their voter handbooks. “The gatherings were well attended and always featured numerous questions from those attending”, added Cabrera. Jo Gustely and Sharon Rippner were also instrumental in this program of League outreach.

The many presentations were offered in addition to a video produced by the committee. The hour-long video offered a more formal and in-depth look at the propositions and was uploaded to our website. Presenters on the video were Nancy Clark, Maureen Cormier, Sharon Rippner, Mary Beth Starzel, Jo Gustely, Alex Karlin, Diane Matthews and Marilee and Tony Hyman.

Candidates Forums - Voters Hear Directly From the Candidates

The League Committee dedicated to organizing candidates forums successfully conducted yet another intense round of forums for the 2024 general election on November 5. Chaired by Shelly Higginbotham, the Candidates Forums Committee organized six forums at various venues throughout the county. Altogether 33 League members served as moderators, timers, question sorters and greeter/runners. Considered the gold standard in organizing professionally run, nonpartisan events, the League of Women Voters is sought out by community groups to showcase local candidates and have them respond directly to questions from their constituents. The League works together with sponsoring groups such as local chambers of commerce to enable communities to hear from their candidates in an organized but unscripted setting.

Shelly Higginbotham credits the success of the forums to a veteran group of volunteers who make the process much easier. She added that she was especially heartened by the large number of new faces who joined the team for the latest round of forums.

Finally, it should be noted that there were no disturbances or interruptions in the forums this year. The candidates were, to a person, civil and respectful to each other and to the audiences while those in attendance were both attentive and appreciative of the opportunity to meet and hear from their candidates.

League Members Serve Voters on Election Day

More than 45 League members and friends joined the League’s Adopt-a-Poll efforts and staffed 5 precincts on Election Day. Importantly, we fulfilled our goal to staff a precinct in North County. With AAUW members helping to fill our precinct worker openings and staffing another precinct, we expanded our Adopt-a-Poll service to the voters of Atascadero.

Thanks to Patti Dale, Janet George, and Julie Rodewald for again serving as inspectors and to first time Inspectors Joanne Schutlz and Jordan Blaquera. A special thank you to Leigh Livick for recruiting AAUW members to serve in the League’s precinct in Atascadero. Many other League members signed up to serve on their own or with other organizations. Jordan Blaquera reflected on her role as a first time precinct inspector in Atascadero. “I am proud to have served in one of this year’s Adopt-a-Polls. Seeing the process from "this side" of the voting table is highly informative. In addition, my respect grows for Elaina Cano and her dedicated staff who have conducted this election. My respect for everyone and anyone who supports and serves the democratic voting process in any role across the United States has increased immensely.” A well-deserved thank you not only to our League members who served on Election Day but to all poll workers who commit to making voting accessible and welcoming to all eligible voters. Special thanks also to the voters who turned out on Election Day to celebrate this exercise in democracy. One big take away, the new I Voted stickers were a hit with the voters!

NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

November is National Native American Heritage Month– a time to celebrate and honor the history, traditions, cultures, and achievements of Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities throughout the US. The women’s movement for the right to vote, which served as the foundation for the League of Women Voters, was heavily inspired by the Native American women of the Haudenosaunee nationswho held equal power and authority in governmental, economic and societal roles. This model of equality for Native women provided our founders with the vision of a possible path forward for women’s rights. The League of Women Voters continues this important connection through efforts such as our support for the Native American Voting Rights Act of 2019 to empower the voices of Native American communities through our electoral process.

Locally, the League of Women Voters of SLO County (LWV SLOCO) is proud to recognize and honor the history, cultures, and achievements of the Indigenous Peoples of the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini (ytt) Northern Chumash Tribeand the Salinan Tribe. These members of our community have lineages in San Luis Obispo County dating back more than 10,000 years as the original stewards of the land on which we live and the communities in which we serve. YTT Northern Chumash and Salinan Tribal members and the LWV SLOCO work diligently together towards many of the same goals. We share the excitement and obligation to educate and advocate for social equality, empowerment of voices, and environmental stewardship. And we understand that it takes community collaboration to achieve these goals. Much like our founders before us, we recognize that there is so much more to learn from Native American peoples and their centuries of experience. Please join us in recognizing, celebrating, and listening to these influential members of our community.

SEEKING A LEAGUE TREASURER

Your San Luis Obispo County League is Seeking a New Treasurer for 2025-27 — Can You Help?

Do you have training and experience in accounting or bookkeeping and a few hours a week to dedicate to the League? If so, we’d love to connect with you. The League Treasurer serves on the Board of Directors as an officer, and along with other board members, guides the League in advancing its mission to empower voters and defend democracy. LWV SLOCO is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization.

The position includes the preparation of monthly income and expense reports, fiscal reporting required by law, and other typical treasurer duties. For more information and a job description, please contact Cindy Marie Absey at nominating@lwvslo.org. We hope to hear from you!

REMEMBERING MARY BIANCHI

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Board Member Mary L Bianchi. She died on November 4th amid her loving family after an unexpected and short illness. Mary had served in a number of positions for our League. First as Secretary, then Membership Chair, General Director and finally for 3 terms on our Nominating Committee.

As with so many of our members and officers, Mary’s professional life and her many volunteer activities were impressive. She received her BS and MS from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Soils and Agricultural Sciences. She worked for UC Cooperative extension throughout California ending her career as a Director for UC Cooperative Extension for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. She was a Board member for The Center for Family Strengthening, the San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Board and as a director for the Upper-Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District. She had an incredible soft spot for senior rescue dogs, and they for her. For many of us, she will be remembered for her caring, her kindness, her sweetness, her dry sense of humor, and the joy of her friendship.

Cards and condolences can be sent to the family at:

Bianchi Family
4375 San Simeon Creek Road
Cambria, Ca 943428

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mary’s name for “Martha’s Place Children’s Center." Martha’s Place was started by Mary’s mother Shirley Bianchi, past member of the Board of Supervisors of SLO County, in memory of Mary’s niece. More information can be found on the SLO County’s website here.

Martha’s Place
2925 McMillan Ave Ste 108
San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401

UPCOMING EVENTS

How to Effectively Communicate Your Ideas and Be Heard in Public Meetings

Saturday, Nov 16, 2024
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Atascadero Library Martin Polin Community Room

This forum is free and open to the public.
Register hereto receive event reminders.

Presented by the LWV SLOCO Civil Discourse Committee.

Eat, Drink
& Be Merry
With the League!

Thursday, December 12, 4:30 - 7:00 pm

Farmhouse Corner Market & Wine Lounge
1025 Farmhouse Ln, San Luis Obispo
(across from SLO County Airport)

This event is limited to League members & guests.

Advance registration is required.Registerhere.

Dave Lesher of CalMatters

"California Elections"

Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024

12 noon-1 p.m. on Zoom

Registerhere.

Dave Lesher, co-founder and editor in chief of CalMatters, will discuss elections he has covered in California during the past three decades and discuss Digital Democracy, a tool his team has developed to help voters easily access in-depth information about state government and their legislators.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara.

CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization dedicated to covering California politics and policy with a mission to fill the gap in state government reporting caused by the decline of traditional media outlets. With a workforce of 85 employees, CalMatters provides in-depth coverage of state issues including education, environment, economy, health and government transparency.

"After the Elections -

How Do We Build Trust Between Policy Makers and Citizens?"

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024

10 a.m. on Zoom

Matt Leighninger and Thom Little, two experts with deep experience in civic engagement, policy-making, and respectful civic relationship building, will explore how we work to build trust within our fractured democracy.

Learn more and registerhere.

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