Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. |
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The official newsletter of the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County.
Vol 68 | Issue1 | Date:Jan 27, 2026
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In this issue:
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| League Condemns Unwarranted Federal Presence and Military Escalation in Minnesota
The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and the League of Women Voters of the United States issued the following joint statement in response to federal immigration enforcement activities and the escalation of federal military activity in Minnesota:
“Minnesota is grieving and on edge. The growing presence and activities of federal immigration enforcement agents have terrorized, suppressed, and irreparably harmed our community. At a moment when Minnesotans deserve transparency, accountability, care, and calm leadership, the President has instead chosen to escalate fear by threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act and to place federal military forces on standby.”
See the full statement here.
LWV Joins Legacy Civil Rights Organizations to Call for Congressional Investigation into Recent Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has called on Congress to launch an immediate and independent investigation into a series of recent use-of-force incidents involving federal immigration enforcement personnel. LULAC, the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization, is joined in this call by Common Cause and the League of Women Voters, reflecting a broad, nonpartisan, cross-sector concern about transparency, accountability, and constitutional compliance.
“When federal immigration officers use deadly force, it must trigger congressional oversight — not silence,” said Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters. “The Constitution deliberately grants Congress oversight authority to prevent abuses, not to rubber-stamp them. No federal agency is above the law, and the League of Women Voters will stand with the American people to defend constitutional rights and demand accountability.”
See the full statement here.
LWVC Condemns Use of Force Against Peaceful Protesters and Calls for Accountability
The League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) strongly condemns the recent and escalating use of force by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal authorities against protestors in Minnesota, California, Oregon, and across the country. These actions represent a disturbing abuse of federal power and a direct threat to the constitutional rights of free speech, peaceful assembly, and due process.
As the League of Women Voters of the United States has made clear, federal law enforcement must not be weaponized to silence dissent or suppress civic engagement. We echo the national League’s call for Congress to launch an immediate and independent investigation into a series of recent use-of-force incidents involving federal immigration enforcement personnel.
Read the statement and find resources for protesting peacefully here.
Find additional news from LWVUS here. | |
JULIE RODEWALD RECEIVES AWARD |  Julie Rodewald Honored as “Congressional Woman of the Year for 2025”
On Friday, January 16, family, friends, and colleagues gathered at Niffy’s Merrimaker Bar and Patio Garden in Los Osos to honor Julie Rodewald as she received the “2025 Congressional Woman of the Year” award. The award was presented by U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24).
Representative Carbajal praised Julie for her decades-long dedication to democracy and public service. Julie served for 33 years in the Office of the SLO County Clerk-Recorder, and after retirement, joined the League of Women Voters of SLO County where she served as Voter Service Director and now heads up our voter registration efforts.
Representatives from the offices of State Senator John Laird and Assemblymember Dawn Addis attended the presentation. Julie’s accomplishments have been entered into the official Congressional Record, ensuring a permanent record of her service to our community. We congratulate Julie on receiving this well-deserved honor.
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CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH |  Every February, Black History Month is observed. The theme for this year is "A Century of Black History Commemorations." In 2026, we’ll recognize a notable milestone—one hundred years dedicated to honoring, studying, and celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of people of African descent.
It all began in 1926 when Carter G. Woodson, a scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people, launched Negro History Week. This movement eventually led to the establishment of Black History Month, observed every February since 1976.
To learn more, visit the Smithsonian website and the NAACP website.
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SCOTUS Watch: Key Cases and Imminent Decisions
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
🕘 Time: Noon
📍 Location: On Zoom | Registration required
Learn about some of the most important cases before the Supreme Court that could affect our community.
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Retired Federal Judge Alex Karlin will discuss some of the most important cases before the Supreme Court that could affect our community. These cases include the redistricting of congressional seats, the legality of mail-in ballots, the rights of trans athletes, and the limits of presidential power over the imposition of tariffs. Judge Karlin will provide up-to-the-minute analysis of the issues at stake in these cases and the arguments, pro and con, as presented to the court. | |
2026 PROGRAM PLANNING MEETING | |
Join us as we plan our Program for the next two years.
📅 Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
🕘 Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
📍 Location: United Methodist Church
We’ll discuss the issues that are most important to our members locally, what we’ve been doing and what more we want to do. We’ll also provide input to the national League as they develop the national program for 2026 – 2028. This meeting is open to League members and non-members. We need to hear from you!
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Cocktails and Engaging Conversation.
Join us!
📅 Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
🕘 Time: 6 pm - 7 pm
📍 Location: On Zoom
Our first cocktail hour of the year will be on January 28th at 6 pm. Bring your beverage of choice and join other LWV SLOCO members for an hour of casual social interaction.
Everyone is welcome - you don't need to be a League member to attend. Register here or just drop in using the link on our event webpage here. | | | |
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CANDIDATES FORUMS |  The California Primary Election will be held on June 2, 2026. Our Voter Service teams are gearing up for a busy election season and we need your help! Leading up to the election, the Candidates Forum Committee will be partnering with other community groups, Chambers of Commerce, cities, Cal Poly and Cuesta College to conduct candidates forums throughout the county, giving voters an opportunity to hear from and ask questions of local candidates for public office. The in-person forums rely on League volunteers to run smoothly. In this capacity, members serve as runners, sorters, timers and moderators at the forums (for which we provide training). To learn more or volunteer, contact Jo Gustely, Committee Chair, at candidateforums@lwvslo.org. It's a great opportunity to learn about the candidates, meet other League members, and contribute to the League mission of educating voters. Join us!
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ADOPT-A-UNIT AT WELCOME HOME VILLAGE | If you would like to help a person experiencing homelessness find shelter, here’s a small way to make a difference. Adopt-a-Unit at the rising Welcome Home Village at Johnson and Bishop in San Luis Obispo is seeking volunteers to furnish each new unit with living necessities. Community members can bring bedding, pillows, cozy blankets, artwork, welcome mats, and personal touches to make the room feel like a home for the new residents. People can also contribute gift baskets filled with toiletries and snacks to help create a welcoming space.
You or a group of friends can sign up now in time for the expected March opening of the homes. Contact Jack Lorenz of Dignity Moves for more information at jack@dignitymoves.org or 310-266-0502. And if you do volunteer, we’d love to hear about it at socialpolicy@lwvslo.org.
Learn more about Dignity Moves here.
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LWV SLOCO provides information on upcoming community events that may be of interest to readers of the Voter. Inclusion on the list does not necessarily indicate LWV SLOCO endorsement of the event, or the opinions and actions of the sponsoring organization. | SLO Climate Coalition
Climate Kickoff Party
Join the SLO Climate Coalition for an evening of celebration, community, and climate action at SLO Climate Coalition’s 2026 Climate Kickoff Party! Come mingle, celebrate, and kickoff 2026 with climate inspiration!
📅 Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
🕘 Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
📍 Location: Region Event Center, 858 Monterey St, SLO
$35 per person includes the first drink, one general raffle ticket, bites, and a memorable night!
Purchase tickets here.
Braver Angels SLO Alliance
CEO Maury Giles on Courageous Citizenship
Braver Angels is nation’s largest grassroots depolarization movement dedicated to bringing Americans together across political divides since 2017. Maury Giles joined Braver Angels as CEO recently. He brings a lifetime of experience leading mission driven organizations while living his commitment to building bridges. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about Braver Angels and how this organization is holding America together.
📅 Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
🕘 Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
📍 Location: United Church of Christ, 11245 Los Osos Valley Rd, SLO
Register to attend here. Use code BRAVER for free tickets.
ECOSLO & SLO County Citizens’ Climate Education (SLOCCE)
Into the Heart of the Garbage Patch: A Film and Conversation with Captain Moore
📅 Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
🕘 Time: 7 pm - 9 pm
📍 Location: Unitarian Universalists, 2201 Lawson Ave, SLO
Captain Charles Moore, the visionary who discovered the Garbage Patch in 1997, will be presenting the Korean Broadcasting System’s powerful film and sharing his personal journey in the fight against plastic pollution. This documentary, featuring Captain Moore and the Oceanographic Research Vessel Algalita, takes you on an extraordinary trip to the heart of the Garbage Patch, marking 20 years of groundbreaking research. It's the first-ever film to professionally document the Patch itself -- an experience you won’t want to miss!
Register here.
| League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County
The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic 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. Membership in the League is open to people 16 years and older, of all gender identities. With over 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations. | |