Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. |
|
The official newsletter of the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County.
Vol 69 | Issue 8 | Date: August 28, 2026
|
|
In this issue:
|
| |
LWV Not Giving Up the Fight for Mail Ballots Following Supreme Court Decision
LWVUS and other voting rights organizations have supplemented their complaint challenging President Trump’s executive order restricting mail voting to add claims against the US Postal Service’s (USPS) newly-finalized mail ballot rule. The groups simultaneously asked a federal court to immediately block USPS from implementing that rule for the November midterm elections.
Plaintiff organizations argue that USPS’s newly-finalized mail ballot rule violates the Constitution’s separation of powers, which put the states and Congress in charge of election administration rules, not USPS or the president, as well as a number of the laws that govern how USPS operates.
See the press release here.
Court Blocks Rule Preventing Voter Registration at Naturalization Ceremonies
A US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rule that prevented nonpartisan civic engagement groups from registering new US citizens to vote at administrative naturalization ceremonies has been temporarily blocked. The District Court’s preliminary injunction prevents the new rule from going into effect while the case is litigated.
The rule — which was issued abruptly in August 2025 without factual basis — was contested by the Campaign Legal Center on behalf of LWVUS and a number of state and local Leagues. Civic engagement groups can continue the important work of educating and registering new Americans at naturalization ceremonies — a longstanding tradition that encourages participation in the political process.
Read the full statement here.
DOJ Prevented from Unlawfully Accessing Minnesotans’ Voter Data
The United States District Court for the District of Minnesota is now the twenty-third court to dismiss the Justice Department's lawsuit demanding disclosure of private voter information.
LWV of Minnesota, Common Cause, and two Minnesota voters filed a motion to intervene in United States of America v. Simon to prevent the federal government from forcing Minnesota to turn over the entirety of its voter rolls and to protect sensitive data within the voter rolls.
The Trump administration has sued 30 states and Washington, DC, for unredacted voter lists containing private voter data. Courts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, DC have all dismissed DOJ cases demanding private voter data.
Read the press release here.
Learn more about League Action and Speak out with the League
You can find out more about action the League is taking to defend democracy, amplify the League’s voice, and increase our impact for change by responding to Action Alerts from LWVUS and LWVC. Sign up for LWV Communications and Action Alerts.
| ACTION ALERTS FROM LWV CALIFORNIA |
Fight for Democracy - Help Pass the CVRA of 2026
 Urge your assemblymember to vote YES on the CVRA
Take Action Here |
The California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) of 2026 has two parts.
- SB 1164 responds directly to federal attacks on our voting rights by preventing voting discrimination, promoting fair participation, and expanding opportunities for communities of color to have a meaningful ability to elect candidates of choice.
- SB 1360 enshrines the “in-language voting materials” requirements of the federal VRA into California law. This is essential to protect the voting rights of millions of limited-English voters.
With CVRA we will ensure that California continues to lead the fight to protect the right to vote, prevent voter discrimination and intimidation, and expand language access protections. Help us get the CVRA of 2026 across the finish line. Tell your Assemblymember to vote YES on SB 1164 and SB 1360.
Take Action: Fight for Democracy - Help Pass the CVRA of 2026
| |
Demand Transparency in For-Profit Immigration Detention
Urge your representatives to vote YES on SB 423
Take Action Here
SB 423, the Detention Facility Transparency Act, would require public agencies to release more records showing what happens inside California's privately operated immigration detention facilities. Specifically, it would ensure better access to 911 calls and related records, which has been crucial in many states in providing better oversight of immigration detention. The bill includes privacy protections that allow agencies to withhold certain records when disclosure would substantially interfere with an active investigation.
The right to humane treatment in custody does not depend on immigration status. California can protect transparency and accountability by ensuring that private detention companies cannot hide how people are treated.
SB 423 responds to serious problems that too often remain hidden from public view. Conditions in detention centers have been called “cruel, inhumane, and unacceptable.” When allegations of mistreatment are made officials have refused to release public records.
Take Action: Ask your representatives to vote YES on SB 423
| | LWV SLOCO 2026 Fall Meeting
Saturday, Oct 3, 2026 | 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
The Wayfarer, 1800 Monterey St, SLO
$50 per person (includes buffet lunch)
Panel Presentation: Ballot Propositions
Election Update: Elaina Cano, SLO County Clerk-Recorder
Fun & Games: League Trivia
Non-members are welcome also! Advance registration is required.
| | | |
Tuesday, Sept 1, 2026 | 4:00 to 5:30 pm
Atascadero Library | Free to attend
Maybe you joined the League a while back, but life got busy and your involvement has slipped. Or maybe you just became a member and you are still figuring out what that means. Either way, you are invited to the LWV SLOCO event on September 1. Come hear why other members got involved and find out where you fit in.
| | | VOLUNTEER WITH THE LEAGUE | |
 It’s been a busy year so far but we have more activity ahead of us and we need your help to be successful. Sign up for one of the League volunteer opportunities below and help us empower voters and defend democracy! Besides the following list, there are many other opportunities available - email us at info@lwvslo.org or sign up our Volunteer page here.
|
Election Volunteer Opportunities
| North County Poll Workers Needed for November 3 General Election
The November 3 General Election is quickly approaching and, as always, poll workers are needed to ensure that on election day every eligible voter can securely cast their ballot. As League members, participation as poll workers goes to the heart of our mission – empowering voters and defending democracy.
We still need members who are willing to serve at a polling place in North County. Beside people who have already volunteered, we need another 2-4 members to staff this poll. Each volunteer will work either a half day (6:00 am to 2:00 pm or 1:30 to 9:00 pm) or a full day (6:00 am to 9:00 pm) on election day. In addition, poll workers are asked to attend a 2 hour training session in October.
Election day work is a rewarding experience and a great opportunity to work alongside your fellow League members while serving the voters of San Luis Obispo County. If you are interested and available to join this effort, contact Patti Dale at pollworker@lwvslo.org. |
Candidates Forums
 In the lead up to each election, LWV SLOCO partners with other community groups to conduct candidates forums to give voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates for public office. Volunteers serve as runners, sorters, timers and moderators. We provide training for all roles. Contact candidateforums@lwvslo.org to find out more. |
VOTE411 Voter Information Website
 Help voters be better informed when they VOTE! Assist the Voter Information Committee by calling candidates and encouraging them to enter their information on VOTE411, an election information website. Volunteer training, including a script, will be provided. Contact Jacquie Canfield at voterinformation@lwvslo.org.
| Other League Volunteer Opportunities
| Paint the Plaza | Saturday September 19
 Artists, we need you! Put your drawing skills to work on our chalk art square at the Paint the Plaza event in SLO on Saturday, September 19. Help us bring our design celebrating the power of the voter to life. For more information, email us at info@lwvslo.org.
|
SLO Farmers’ Market | Sept 3 and Sept 17
 Join us for a few hours of civic engagement, community connection and voter outreach at one of SLO's showcase events. LWV SLOCO will be at Farmers’ Market in San Luis Obispo on Sept 3 and Sept 17 and we'd love your help. Sign up to assist in the LWV SLOCO booth here: SLO Farmers Market Booth. |
ECOSLO Annual SLO County Creeks to Coast Cleanup
 Help clean up the coastline, inland creeks, lakes, and parks across the county on Saturday, September 19. Creeks to Coast Cleanup empowers community members in SLO County to come together to protect our waterways, communities, wildlife, and our neighbors. LWV SLOCO is a sponsor of this important event and forming teams to assist in this effort at one or more sites. Contact Karen Venditti at naturalresources@lwvslo.org to join a League team or sign up directly here.
| |
I’m Too Young to Vote Yard Signs
 Do you have a publicly visible yard with a lot of traffic? Be the first on your block to display this adorable non-partisan sign encouraging participation in the upcoming November 3 election. The free signs are the brainchild of the County Elections Office and the League is helping to distribute them. If you are interested in a sign, contact Julie Rodewald at voterregistration@lwvslo.org. Signs will also be available at the League’s Fall Meeting on October 3. | LEAGUE PARTICIPATES IN DISABILITIES FAIR | |
 LWV SLOCO participated in the Disabilities Fair hosted by the Diversity Coalition at the Ludwick Center in San Luis Obispo on July 20. Our participation was inspired by the LWV Nationwide Day of Action, a mobilization aimed at attracting an underserved population of voters.
The event brought together lived experiences, foundational knowledge, and local resources to explore what disability means in everyday life, across visible and invisible conditions, and across different life stages and experiences.
Our League partnered with the County Clerk Recorder’s Office to provide an ICX unit to demonstrate to fair attendees. The unit is available at the polls to aid voters who face physical challenges to voting.
League volunteers who assisted for the evening were Cindy Marie Absey, Ed Cabrera, Joanne Schultz, Glenn Silloway, Vallerie Steenson, and Sharon Whitney. Gabby Uglade and Barbara Hurtado from the County Recorder’s Office were on hand to assist with the ICX unit.
| 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. | |