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Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

The League of Women Voters of the Mother Lode is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization

that encourages informed and active participation in government.


Vote

Taking No Position on Proposition 50


The League of Women Voters of California will not take a position on Proposition 50.


This statement explains our neutral position, provides context for that position, and shifts the focus to empowering California voters.


Early in the process, before the ballot language was written, we, along with several other good government groups, issued independent statements opposing mid-cycle redistricting. This was consistent with the League’s long-standing positions at both the state and national level. Since then, and on the heels of Texas’ decision, California Governor Newsom and the legislature moved forward to do mid-cycle redistricting. Now, the ballot measure language has been finalized. While the process for the 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.


With all of these factors in mind, we have decided not to take a position on Proposition 50.


On the proposed maps themselves, our policy is clear: the people most affected by district maps, especially communities of color who are often underrepresented, should be the ones to decide if those maps are fair. Many of our partners in Latino, AAPI, and Black communities are still reviewing the California map and forming their positions. We will defer to them to share their conclusions.

The League of Women Voters of California is a nonpartisan organization. Every day, we fight in the courts and in the legislature to protect Californians from President Trump’s authoritarian actions that threaten the rights and freedoms of all Americans. Our record on this is public and clear.


The League of Women Voters of California has always spoken truth, fought voter suppression, and stood as allies for racial justice and democracy. We are a scrappy, grassroots, fire-fueled movement that will not allow democracy to be stolen. Donald Trump is using common tactics of an aspiring dictator: divide opposition, pit people against each other, and sow distrust. A well-worn tactic in that playbook is scapegoating, often by fueling anger and violence toward women. In recent weeks, the LWVC has received thousands of misogynistic, hate-filled emails. The League was forged in struggle, and we will not allow ourselves to be used as a scapegoat. 


Authoritarianism is the enemy, not the League of Women Voters of California.


Now it is time for the voters to decide
. Special elections often see low and unrepresentative turnout. The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund will work to ensure that the full diversity of California voters participate in the November 4, 2025, election, and that every voter has access to the non-partisan, in-language, and factual information they need to cast an informed vote.


Do not let partisan politics divide us. Now more than ever, we must stand together. And now more than ever, California voters need the League.



Check out the League of Women Voters of California’s Easy Voter Guide.











NEXT GENERAL MEETING, November 1, 2025, at 10:30 am

 

 

Where: 
 

Murphys Volunteer Library, 480 Park Lane in Murphys

 


Topic:

A discussion of the Senior Senate.



Open to all.

We hope you’ll join us.














 


 

 
 


Upcoming Meetings and Events

 

Tuesday October 14th, 4:30 pm

Fire Interest Group—Maria Benech, Lead
Karen Caldwell’s Home

 

Saturday October 18th, noon to 3 pm

No Kings 2 Rally
Courthouse Park in Downtown Sonora

 

Monday October 20th, 1 pm to 3 pm

Voter Services — Susan Medeiros, Chair
Sonora Senior Center

 

Wednesday October 22nd, 11 am

Water Interest Group—Jane Braga, Lead
Sonora Senior Center

 

Wednesday October 22nd, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Observer Corps —Jane Braga, Chair

Senior Center in Sonora

 

Monday October 27th, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm

LWVML Board Meeting

Sonora Senior Center

 

Saturday November 1st, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Firewise Calaveras Festival (FREE EVENT) -

         LWVML will have a booth there too.

Angels Camp Fairgrounds

 

Tuesday November 11th, 4:30 pm

Fire Interest Group—Maria Benech, Lead
Karen Caldwell’s Home

 

Wednesday November 12th, 1 pm to 3 pm

Membership Committee — Patricia Horsthius, Chair

Sonora Senior Center (Room B)

 

Monday November 17th, 1 pm to 3 pm

Voter Services — Susan Medeiros, Chair
Sonora Senior Center

 

No Meeting in November

Water Interest Group—Jane Braga, Lead
Sonora Senior Center

 

Monday December 1st, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm

LWVML Board Meeting

Sonora Senior Center

 

Wednesday December 3rd, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Observer Corps —Jane Braga, Chair

Senior Center in Sonora

 









 

 

Read The Voter

Our newsletter, The Voter, is a quick and easy way to stay informed about League happenings. It is published monthly and distributed before the first Saturday of each month, before our General Meeting.

In The Voter, you will find:
• A message from our Presidential Triad, Maria Benech, Jane Braga, and Leonides Russell
• Local and National Actions you can take to effect change
• Committee actions, both accomplished and planned
• Field Trips and presentations for our Interest Groups (Water, Fire, Homelessness, and Mental Health)
• Tips on useful, but little-known, online resources
• and MORE..


We are currently experiencing website difficulties. For a copy of the latest issue, please email us at info.lwvml@gmail.com. Thank you.


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Tell Your Senators to Oppose the SAVE Act

 

The House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act for the second time in April 2025. The SAVE Act would require citizenship documentation to register to vote even though voters in every state are already required to affirm or verify their citizenship status when registering.

 

Now, the Senate must reject this bill to prevent it from becoming law.

 

It is already illegal for noncitizens to register and vote in federal or state elections. The bill’s requirement of a document to prove American citizenship to register to vote in federal elections is unnecessary and seeks to divide us. It also creates another barrier to voting.

 

Many communities of eligible voters would be unnecessarily burdened by the requirements of the SAVE Act. Among them are military voters who would be required to present documentation every time they re-register to vote when their families move. Families who have been impacted by natural disasters may have lost necessary documentation and would be required to jump through hoops to replace these documents to register to vote while also going through the traumatic process of rebuilding their lives. Additionally, Americans who have changed their names, like married women, would also be required to secure updated documentation to register to vote.  

 

Americans do not need MORE obstacles to vote. The SAVE Act would create one more barrier to the voting process, as many eligible voters do not have easy access to the necessary documents. Compared to white US citizens, citizens of color are three times more likely to lack documents such as birth certificates, passports, naturalization certificates, or certificates of citizenship or face difficulties accessing them. For example, while approximately half of all American adults possess a passport, two-thirds of Black Americans do not. Tell your Senators to oppose the SAVE Act.

 

Senator Adam Schiff—(202) 224-3841

Senator Alex Padilla—(202) 224-3553 

 


Email: info.lwvml@gmail.com

Phone 209-454-0904

LWV of the Mother Lode

PO Box 5393

Sonora, CA 95370