When I got my ballot this week, I realized how lucky we are to live in a county where voting is so easy. We sometimes forget that in other places, people may stand in long lines in inclement weather and take time out of their busy days in order to vote. Our rights are rarely threatened, and our state tends to do what’s right on issues that we care about BUT that can change in an instant which we see around the country. Money in politics has become insidious, redistricting can alter a community, and fake news limits the “truth” of what we read and hear. 

Speaking of redistricting, we were very happy to host an informational session by Pedro Toledo who is the current chair of the independent redistricting committee for California. You may already know that the California League of Women Voters has issued a statement opposing mid cycle redistricting. This was consistent with the League’s long-standing position at both the state and national level. While the process for redistricting in California differs from what is happening in Texas, the California League recognizes the importance of staying aligned with our national League and with state and local Leagues such as in Texas, that are, or may soon be, in court challenging unfair maps. This is all new territory for all of us, and we must feel free to vote our conscience. We can also call out the mis- and dis-information campaigns that are ongoing and are used to undermine our democracy and the value of every person’s voice.

Please spread the word about Vote411.org which provides both general and state-specific nonpartisan resources to the voting public, including a polling place locator, a ballot look-up tool, candidate positions on issues, and more.

The League is always looking for ways to raise money to fund our operations. Two upcoming fundraisers are listed in the calendar – SUFFS, the musical in SF is giving us $10 for every ticket sold; and on January 6^th (a momentous day) we will  be holding a fundraiser at the Rainbow Cattle Company in Guerneville. We’ll be asking for raffle items from our members so start cleaning out those closets! And we are looking for sponsors for the Stand Up for Democracy yard signs. Buy a sign for $20 or donate what you can so we can put signs up around the county.

You need to vote before Election Day if voting by mail.  Ballots dropped on eDay will no longer be postmarked on that day - but the day after.  This was changed by the USPS in September. 

Voter Services: Hello from the Registrar of Voters!

With election day fast approaching (November 4 — remind your friends!), the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters is working hard to ensure every voter can participate with confidence.

Making voting accessible for everyone

Last week I attended one of two accessibility workshops put on by the registrar's office, where they demonstrated the impressive range of accessibility equipment and options available to voters (as required by the Voters Choice Act). Here are just a few highlights:

• ●Ballot marking devices at poll stations include options for larger text, high-contrast mode, audio and braille controls, and other customizable features to meet different needs. Anyone can request to use one of these machines.

• ●Remote Accessible Vote by Mail ballots allow voters to make their selections online, then print a live ballot to turn in at a polling station. This is a game-changer if you're at a hospital, traveling, or otherwise can't access a polling station or your original vote by mail ballot.

• ●ForLanguage Support, poll stations offer multiple language options, plus the ability to connect with an interpreter who can guide voters through the process. The registrar also provides information on which vote centers specifically support ASL and other languages. They'll be hosting another workshop on language options and accessibility next week!

The team at the Registrar’s office was very warm and extremely helpful with any questions. Check out their Guide to Accessible Voting

Want to be a poll worker? Your community needs you!

The registrar has been out in the community seeking more poll workers to help make election day run smoothly. Check out their website to learn more about how to be a poll worker! 

Our monthly meeting on October 6^th featured Pedro Toledo talking about redistricting and Prop 50. Mr. Toledo was recently elected to chair  this year’s Independent Redistricting Commission. He has been a commissioner since 2020. Here are some interesting facts he discussed:

• Redistricting maps are drawn every 10 years following the census. By both US and California law each electoral district must have roughly equal population & must comply with the Voting Rights Act as well as other criteria.
• The selection process for commissioners is a complicated process. For the 2020 season, there were over 20,000 applicants! In the end 14 were selected.
• The commissioners serve a 10-year term. They must be available to defend their maps if lawsuits are filed.
• If the Prop 50 maps pass, the attorney general will need to address any legal challenges, not the commissioners since they did not draw the maps.
• The commissioners were not involved in the Prop 50 map development and have not taken a position.
• Mr. Toledo thought that if Prop  50 passed, legal challenges would likely be around voter rights act. 
•  In 2030, according to Prop 50, the Independent Commission would again return to their function of redrawing maps according to all their criteria.

If you missed the forum, it has been recorded and now available on our YouTube channel. 

Don’t forget to tune into the Pro & Con presentation of Prop 50 on October 15^th at 6PM. This is in partnership with the Sonoma County library, Sonoma and Marin League. Go to our website calendar to register for this virtual event.  

The 2025 Statewide Special Election & Prop 50

Ballots have been mailed for the Statewide Special Election to be held on November 4, 2025 featuring Proposition 50.  Prop 50 will appear on your ballot titled: AUTHORIZES TEMPORARY CHANGES TO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAPS IN RESPONSE TO TEXAS’ PARTISAN REDISTRICTING. It is a Legislative Constitutional Amendment that needs 50% plus one vote to pass.

The Sonoma County and Marin County Leagues have once again collaborated to create a fact based, non-partisan Pros & Cons educational video on Prop 50.  Watch this video at 2025 Proposition 50 Pros and Conson the Sonoma League’s YouTube channel.

There are many reliable resources available to help you learn about Proposition 50 listed at the end of the video.  Among them are the California State League’s Easy Voter Guideand the California Secretary of State’s neutral Voter Information Guide.

Be informed and don’t forget to vote on November 4^th!

The Sonoma County League STANDS UP FOR DEMOCRACY!

The STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY committee has been busy.  Keep your eyes open for new landing pages on What is a Shadow Docket? What is The Posse Comitatus Act? And, How to Become a Citizen?. We feel it is important to keep the public informed about these important aspects of our democracy and why they matter.  When these new landing pages have been thoroughly vetted, you will be able to view them at LWV Sonoma Civics Window.  

The Stand Up for Democracy Civics Window will also allow you to see the community organizations that have added our program to their website.  These partners are helping us amplify our message so more Sonoma County residents can benefit from this super voter education campaign.

We are also pleased to announce that all landing pages will soon be available in Spanish! Spanish landing pages will be viewable by clicking on THE STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY committee page on our website very soon.  

Finally, bilingual STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY yard signs have arrived.  These signs are available for a $20 donation to the Sonoma League (our cost).  We will be making them available at the INDIVISIBLE NO KINGS RALLY on October 18^th in Doyle Park, Santa Rosa from 11am.  Come visit our table and get your STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY yard sign.

This committee feels that protecting our democracy begins at the local level.  Everyone is welcome to join us for our regular monthly meetings on the second Monday of the month at 3pm.  Find information about the next meeting on the Upcoming Events listing on the LWVSonoma.org home page.  Come make a difference!  See you there!

-- Lynn Dooley – standup@lwvsonoma.org

Treasurer’s Report: Linda Rosen presented the September financial report. We received a generous $1,000 donation.

Fundraising: Give Back Tuesday fundraiser will be January 6, 2026 at the Rainbow Cattle Company in Guerneville with food and raffles. This event will be open to all, not just LWV members. For the SUFFS fundraiser, we will receive $10 for every ticket we sell.

Outreach/Programs: For October we have the Independent Commission on Redistricting & the Special Election with Pedro Toledo, Commission member. Many tabling events were held and we will be tabling at the Lush shop in the mall. National League is partnering with Lush. No Kings Day Rally is on October 18^th.

Membership: Our new member Theresa Paris is working on a new membership brochure.

Communications: EZ Vote Guide and the pros and cons of Prop 50 are on the website.

Voter Services: EZ Voter Guide was published. We will get paper copies soon. The Youth Committee has had 7 meetings and 24 more planned. Vote 411 is handling Prop 50. Stand Up for Democracy signs in English and Spanish have been printed and will be available for the No Kings Rally.