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THE LEAGUE SPEAKS OUT

LWVUS Files Suit to Block Executive Order on Mail-In Ballots

The League of Women Voters has argued in federal court against President Trump's executive order targeting mail-in voting. The League and its partners contend that the order violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law, and would risk mass disenfranchisement of eligible voters.
Read more about the lawsuit.

USPS Proposes Rule to Implement the Executive Order

As a first step toward implementation, USPS has released a proposed rule called Ballot Mail for Federal Elections.

Take action now to oppose the proposed rule.The deadline for public comment is July 2, 2026 — just days away.
Submit your comment to PCFederalRegister@usps.gov with subject line "Ballot Mail."

What Does the Order Actually Do?

Issued on March 31, 2026, the order "Ensuring Citizen Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections" attempts to shift control of election administration away from Congress and the states. It directs federal agencies to compile citizen lists and transmit them to states before each election, requires USPS to create an "approved" mail voter list, and instructs USPS to refuse delivery of ballots from voters not on that federal list. If implemented, millions of eligible voters would be at risk of losing access to their ballots. Read more about the rule here.

Stay Engaged. Take Action.

Respond to action alerts from LWVUS and LWVC to amplify the League's voice on this and other threats to democracy.

CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURES: WHAT TO WATCH THIS NOVEMBER

Stop the Voter ID Restriction Initiative — VOTE NO

A voter ID initiative is expected to appear on the November 2, 2026 California ballot, and the League of Women Voters of California has formally announced its opposition.

If passed, the measure would require government-issued ID for in-person voting and mandate that mail voters write the last four digits of a government ID number on the outside of their envelope — a serious privacy risk for the roughly 80% of Californians who vote by mail. LWVC says the measure would disproportionately harm voters with disabilities, naturalized citizens, and communities that already face significant obstacles to voting.

California Fair Elections Act — Vote YES

Also on the November ballot: the California Fair Elections Act, which would lift the ban on public campaign financing and amplify small-dollar donors over large special interests. LWVC recommends YES.

Watch future issues of The Voter for voter education resources on both measures as November approaches.

LEAGUE IN THE COMMUNITY

Volunteer at the SLO Farmers Market

Members will be out in the community all summer long — and we need volunteers to staff our table at the SLO Farmers Market. It's one of the best ways to connect directly with SLO County residents: registering new voters, sharing civic resources, and putting a human face on the work of the League. No experience needed — just enthusiasm for civic engagement.

Volunteer at SLO Farmers Market Booth

PRIMARY ELECTION RECAP

The 2026 June Primary is a wrap, and LWV SLOCO members showed up in force. Our Voter Service Committee led the way.

Juliane McAdam led the VOTE411 sub-committee, guiding voters through preparing their voting plans, previewing their ballots, and locating polling places.

Ed Cabrera was invited by three organizations to present strategies for defending the vote. He also introduced the field of gubernatorial candidates on the primary ballot to audiences at Indivisible, Lifelong Learners of the Central Coast, and The Villages of San Luis Obispo.

Candidates Forum Chair Jo Gustely organized three successful forums, giving candidates for the Board of Supervisors and County Clerk-Recorder the opportunity to meet their constituents and answer their questions. More than 30 League volunteers made the forums possible.

Julie Rodewald and her committee registered voters across multiple venues — reaching first-time voters at the Grizzly Academy, welcoming formerly incarcerated individuals back to the voter rolls at the SLO Reentry Resource Fair, and registering new voters at the SLO Lunar Festival.

Adopt-a-Poll

Adopt-a-Poll Chair Patti Dale once again organized League coverage at five polling sites — two in San Luis Obispo and one each in Morro Bay, Atascadero, and Pismo Beach. A highlight: a voter at the SLO site proudly shared that one of his classmates had designed the customized "I Voted" sticker being used at the polls that day.

The nearly 50 volunteers who staffed polling sites on election day raised $2,500 for the League through Adopt-a-Poll stipends.

SPRING MEETING RECAP

Members Find Hope and Inspiration at Spring Meeting

Fifty-one members and guests of LWV SLOCO gathered on June 6, 2026, at the Ventana Grill in Pismo Beach for the Spring Meeting. The theme: finding hope, encouragement, and concrete actions in uncertain times.

Treasurer Wendy Brown served as moderator. Voter Service Director Ed Cabrera presented the Year-in-Review, walking members through a month-by-month account of League activities from July 1, 2025 through June 6, 2026. Civil Discourse Committee Co-chairs Anne Quinn and Jean Burns Slater followed with "Coping with Chaos," exploring what LWVUS is doing and what each of us can do as individuals to confront threats to democracy while protecting our own well-being and hope.

Guest speaker Kaila Dettman, Executive Director of the Land Conservancy of SLO County (LCSLO), spoke on "Finding Hope in Nature." She described LCSLO's work protecting more than 66,000 acres of agricultural land, open space, and wildlands across SLO County, and the organization's commitment to environmental education — especially for children. Her presentation touched on conservation work at Santa Rita Ranch, the Diablo Canyon lands, and Toro Creek Park in Cayucos. The slides of our county's landscapes and wildlife gave the room exactly what the theme promised: hope.

WEBINAR REPLAY: ICE & THE LAW

EIGHT SOLUTIONS TO UNSTICK CONGRESS

COMMUNITY CALENDAR AND MORE

• ECOSLO SLOstice Event – Celebrate local environmental action and all that ECOSLO has achieved this past year. Saturday, June 27, 5–8 PM. More info and registration.
  
  
• The Emmy-winning HBO documentary "Critical Incident: Death at the Border" investigates the alleged cover-up surrounding the death of Anastasio Hernández Rojas, an undocumented Mexican immigrant who died while in U.S. custody at the border. Now streaming on HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video, and Apple TV.