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Highlights from the LWVC 2023 Convention

Cindy Marie Absey

Highlights from the LWVC 2023 Convention : Power & Possibility

By Cindy Marie Absey, LWV SLOCO President

The 2023 League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) Convention was held in San Francisco at the Hyatt SOMA over the weekend of May 19th to 21st. Approximately 200 delegates – League board and staff, delegates from local Leagues, and guests – attended. Our SLO County League was represented by Treasurer and Communications Chair Janice Langley, 2nd Vice-President Ed Cabrera, and President Cindy Marie Absey. The Convention theme, “Power & Possibility”, connected the events, which included the League’s essential biennial business of adopting a 2-year Program of Issues for Emphasis and Advocacy, a budget, and a new board of directors, plus an award ceremony.

FRIDAY, MAY 19:
Opening remarks by LWVC President Carol Moon Goldberg recapped key League accomplishments, including the League’s seminal work on redistricting, Get Out the Vote (GoTV), and DEI projects that are “closing the participation gap”. LWVC Executive Director Stephanie Doute’s address focused on envisioning the future of the League as a culture of “nurture” that can help combat the culture of “outrage” that has beset our national discourse.

The LWVC Issues for Emphasis for 2023-25 correspond to the issues prioritized by the SLO County League over the past several years: Making Democracy Work (a national focus), Housing and Homelessness, Climate Change, Sustainability and Water, and Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice Reform. These complex, multi-year issues must be viewed through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion to achieve results that represent us all.

Late in the morning, an inspiring panel discussion on “Driving Impact: The Importance of Collaboration” featured 4 political activists with a wide range of backgrounds and experience who have promoted and advanced major changes in criminal justice by working with diverse groups for a common goal. A top discussion item was the proposed CA constitutional amendment ACA 4 (Bryan) which is co-sponsored by LWVC and a host of other organizations. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, ACA 4 would restore voting rights to inmates while incarcerated. This expansion of voting rights to incarcerated California citizens would continue the League’s 100+ year history of enfranchising marginalized groups. Research indicates that voting while incarcerated reduces recidivism rates and improves reintegration into communities. As one panelist noted, regaining the right to vote is “transformative” for those who have lost it.

Friday afternoon offered a wide choice of workshops that included “Under the Hood: Advocacy with the LWVC”, which offered behind-the-scenes information about the League’s legislative priorities, lobbying efforts, and why the League’s “One Voice Policy” is essential for consistent messaging. Workshop presenters discussed the SLO County League’s advocacy with local redistricting, our role in the lawsuit challenging the illegal map, and our eventual success in securing a new map that fairly represents voters.

The first day wrapped up with a banquet and address titled "Let's Talk Politics: How We Can Transform Our Democracy" by UC Berkeley Professor Lisa Garcia Bedolla, who discussed recent data about voter participation by people of color. Her address underscored the need for targeted outreach to marginalized populations.

SATURDAY, MAY 20:
The morning kicked off with workshops on immigration, social media, Ranked Choice Voting, California water, redistricting, the power of words, and innovative social justice approaches--- all important issues that attracted lots of attendees.

A highlight of the morning was the address by Cathy Darling Allen, County Clerk and Registrar of Voters in Shasta County, who riveted the audience with the challenges they face to adapt to a board of supervisors’ decision to “fire” Dominion Voting Systems and change to hand counting ballots. That change will cost an estimated $4M and has fostered deep divisions among the county’s voters.

In addition to more Convention business, the afternoon featured speaker Cheryl Boudreau, a Professor of Political Science from UC Davis. Professor Boudreu discussed her research on the effects of voter information such as political party fliers, slate cards (paid ads by candidates) and League voter guides. Her analysis points to voters’ general trust of the information provided by their political parties, their communities, and the League.

During the Convention’s Award ceremony, the San Luis Obispo County League was honored with the 2023 “Leaning into Power Award” for our “effective use of promoting the League’s mission and work through activism and education” and “by mobilizing members and influencing public opinion” to “ ensure fair redistricted representation” and a “significant increase in membership”. The Award was accepted by LWVSLOCO President Cindy Marie Absey, Second VP Ed Cabrera and Communications Chair Janice Langley with deep gratitude for the recognition from LWVC.

More workshops concluded the day, along with opportunities to socialize and make connections with other attendees—an invaluable benefit of attending a Convention.

SUNDAY, MAY 21:
The Convention concluded with voting on all motions and an address by incoming LWVC President Chris Carson. Chris previously served as LWVC President, LWVUS President, and most recently served as one of the League’s redistricting experts. The action-packed weekend of LWVC business, speakers, workshops and connecting with other League members was instructive and inspiring in equal measure. We left knowing that our time at the 2023 LWVC Convention was time well spent.

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