In light of the recent ruling from the Supreme Court, I am forwarding the National office’s Call to Action.

We must fight in the legislatures, in the courts, and at the ballot box for the future of our multiracial democracy. In the Legislatures

As state legislatures across the country push unfair maps, communities must also ensure their voices are heard in the process and fair maps are the only result.Engage with your community. Mobilize and organize with allies on the ground. In order to realize our vision of a multi-racial democracy, we must put constant pressure on our elected officials to create a fair and representative electoral system.This is the moment to push for broader, bolder, voting rights protections. States must enact State Voting Rights Acts and Congress must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.

In theCourts

We must demand that our courts’ rulings reflect the promise of our laws, the principles of our Constitution, and the promise of democracy. We must continue to pursue every avenue to defend and advance fair representation in the courts. While today’s ruling narrows our paths to justice, we will march on in both state and federal courts. Our fights for justice must be bolder than ever.

At the Ballot Box everyone must be prepared to vote in the primaries and in November. It’s our responsibility to ensure our communities feel the urgency to exercise our power and make our voices heard. Ensure you are registered, check that you have the required materials to vote by mail or in person, and create a voting plan with your friends and family to show up at the polls. To register to vote,California Voter Registration. To confirm your voter registration,California Voter Status. To create a voting plan, visit our websiteCreate a Voting Plan.To check what documents are required for you to vote,Documents Required in California.To find your polling place, visitSonoma County Voting SitesTo see what’s on your ballot, visitVote 411.

In the words of Justice Thurgood Marshall, this is our democracy. We must “Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”

One of the key components of voter registration work is having good information to share with constituents. That’s why I am so pleased to be partnering with KRCB, our local PBS affiliate. I hope you will join us for the tour on June 17^thfrom 4 – 6 pm at their facility in Rohnert Park. We will also be discussing what we can do locally to answer the Call to Action above!

Ballots are out!

There is a lot on your ballot and your best one stop information tool isVote 411Just put in your address, get your personal ballot and access information on the candidates and measures.Most candidates have participated by adding their picture, campaign website and have answered questions.Be an informed voter!

TheLeague of Women Voters of Sonoma Countysupports the renewal of the SMART sales tax measure appearing on the June 2026 ballot.

We feel that Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit(SMART) provides an important public transportation option in the North Bay, offers a reliable alternative to Highway 101 congestion and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Since some of the ridership is subsidized, it helps low- income people, students, seniors and those with disabilities navigate the rather difficult public transportation we currently use. We believe it has also improved some areas of Sonoma County economically as well.

We appreciate that there is citizen oversight as the League is a proponent of transparency.

The measure before voters would renew the existing sales tax that funds SMART’s operations, maintenance, safety programs, and capital improvements. Itdoes not create a new taxbut continues the current funding structure that ensures long-term system stability. Without renewal, service reductions or financial instability could significantly impact regional mobility and climate progress.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization dedicated to encouraging informed and active participation in government. After careful review consistent with our positions on transportation, climate policy, fiscal responsibility, and regional planning, we conclude that renewing SMART’s dedicated funding is in the long-term interest of Sonoma County residents. We urge other residents to also support the Tax Renewal measure on the June 2026 ballot.

Donna J. Roper

President

Sonoma County League of Women Voters

Ballots for theJune 2 primaryare in the mail. If yours hasn't arrived yet, it should be there very soon. Take advantage of the resources the League has put together to help voters make informed choices this election.

The League of Women Voters of Sonoma County is proud to present two recent candidate forums.Share these videos with your neighbors, friends, and family before June 2!Both forums are also available in Spanish on our YouTube channel.

• Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, District 2 Primary Forum:Sonoma County District 2 Forum
• Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, District 4 Primary Forum:Sonoma County District 4 Forum

  
  Two statewide forums are also available now:

• California Insurance Commissioner Forum:State Insurance Commissioner Forum
• California Superintendent of Public Instruction Forum:Recording coming soon atLeague of Women Voters Youtube

Want to help? We need help writing questions!

Our forums don't happen without dedicated volunteers who research the issues, craft the questions, and represent the League's commitment to nonpartisan civic engagement. If you've ever thought about getting more involved, this is a wonderful opportunity.

We are actively looking for volunteers to research issues in their local area and submit thoughtful, nonpartisan questions for upcoming forums.Submit your questions or sign up to volunteer here.

No prior experience needed, just curiosity and a commitment to informed democracy.

A huge thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers who helped us put on these candidate forums. Your work has already helped hundreds of voters get informed ahead of this election. We’re so grateful for your support, and we’re looking forward to more exciting races later this year!💖

Sincerely,

Eleni Misthos

Voter Services Chair for the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County

On May 6^thChris Riezenman and Debbie Mc Kay gave a presentation -- Why Voting Mattersat the Santa Rosa Campus of the Santa Rosa Junior College.We received the following thank you letter from the SRJC staff who invited us to speak:

"We want to thank you again for speaking at our voter forum, and we look forward to having you again on Oct. 7th.This was such valuable information, and your presentation was stellar! A student offered this experience of the evening:

'I entered the Ready to Vote event with very little knowledge and walked out with more than I have ever learned about voting. I found the event more intriguing than I had expected. I have never been interested in the process or informing myself on the topic of voting, but the event may have changed my carelessness. I never realized how much power was in my hands and others that can affect my environment, neighborhood, and family.'

We attended your forum at Finley Center a few months back and found it so engaging.That’s what made us confident in your ability to move young voters.”

We are so pleased with this outcome and look forward to doing another presentation at the SRJCin the fall.If you know of any other groups or organizations who might want a similar presentation please let us knowat info@lwvsonoma.org

STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACYBUSES ARE BACK!!

Once again you will seeStand Up for Democracybus-back ads on Sonoma County Transit buses. The ads will be up through May and June, thanks to a generous anonymous donation.Thank you!

Why are the buses so powerful?They will motivate people toVOTE!

This civics education campaignillustrates to the public how government and the Constitution aresupposedto work.

By offering these easy access, 1-page summaries of basic civics topics andwhy these principles matter today, people will form their own opinions about what is going on in our government.Armed with this knowledge, they are more likely to make their voices heard and VOTE.

Support our program by:

• Talking it up and sharing this link with your family and friends:Stand Up for Democracy
• Purchasing aStand Up for Democracyyard sign for $20 (tax included) by contactingstandup@lwvsonoma.org.(We take Venmo).
• Encouraging community organizations to post our flyers at their facility or add our Proud Partner graphic to their website with a link back to our campaign.
• Contributing to our program so we can keep the buses up for July, August & September leading up to the Midterm election.

By supporting this unique way to motivate Sonoma County to VOTE,youare standing up for democracy.Thank you.

Contact Lynn Dooley, standup@lwvsonoma.org

Ardath Lee was a long time supporter of the League of Women Voters and an honored professor at Sonoma State University.Her most recent role at LWV Sonoma was as Membership Chair.

She passed away peacefully on Friday May 1^st, with her daughter by her side. She was just shy of her 92^ndbirthday.She will be missed.

Sonoma County’s importance as the birthplace of Women’s History Month led to Santa Rosa’s place on the itinerary of the Golden Flyer during its second tour of the U.S. The first tour was an undertaking of two women in 1916 to promote votes for women, and this 2026 tour, promoting the enrollment of the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) into the Constitution, featured the same vehicle. The 2014 Saxon touring car had been housed in a museum in Maine and was refurbished for this re-enactment. California NOW (National Organization for Women) was the main promoter of this leg of the tour, and the Santa Rosa event was held outside at the Saturday Afternoon Club. Attending from LWV Sonoma County were Donna Roper, Nancy Lewis, Theodora Pollack and me. Besides learning about the Saxon and its journeys, we heard from several speakers about the importance of the ERA to ensure justice for women, now and in the future. The bill, first written by Alice Paul in 1923 and revised to its current state in 1970, contains just two sentences, one ensuring women’s equality under the law, the other giving Congress the right to pass laws accordingly. The ERA was passed by Congress and ratified by the required 38 states; a join resolution is all that’s needed to make it the 28th Amendment. Signatures are being collected for presentation to members of House and the Senate, and LWV Sonoma County will join the effort to promoteSign4ERA.org.

The Broadway musical SUFFS was captured on film and screened at the Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol on May 6. Sponsored by North Cal Public Media (KRCB) and the Rialto, the screening was offered at 1pm and 7pm, with an on-air showing to come on Sunday, May 24. LWV Sonoma County set up a table outside the screening room at both showings, staffed by Sherrie Brand, Leona Judson and me. We handed out bookmarks and information cards about Vote411, and encouraged visitors to read about the issues and candidates before voting. Our table also featured a photo of LWV’s founder, Carrie Chapman Catt, who features prominently in SUFFS.

Treasurer’s Report:Juanita Roland, as Budgeting Committee Chair, presented our budget with thanks to the committee and to Sara Ingle for all her hard work. The budget will be presented to our League members 14 days before our Annual Meeting in June.

Voter Services:Robyn Bramhall reported that she, Leona Judson, and Debbie Epstein met with Mike McGuire, discussing housing, budget, fire safe roads, immigration, and voter trust. Leona took notes and these will be sent to the State League. Youth Committee will be at Santa Rosa Junior College on Wednesday, in classrooms at Petaluma High on May 13^thand 14^th. Stand Up for Democracy has presented to four Rotary clubs, with six more scheduled. They are now partnered with Los Cien and KRCB. Lynn Dooley will be presenting Stand Up for Democracy at a workshop at the National Convention. Rebecca Jones reported that so far for Vote411 we have 70% participation in general and 100% of the county board candidates.

Outreach/Programs:Hot Topics will cover Measure O, the sales tax for mental health on May 18^thon Zoom with Nolan Sullivan and Mary Francis Walsh. We will be tabling at the Rialto Theater in Sebastopol during the showings of the recording of the Boardway production of SUFFS at 1 pm and 7 pm. Our Annual Meeting will be held at the KRCB studios on June 17th.

Membership:Donna reported that the Marin League wants to have a social meet and greet with our League.