LWVC Monthly Newsletter: June 2026
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
Last week, I had the privilege of touring the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center just one day after the election. At a moment when President Trump was once again attacking California’s elections and falsely suggesting that something is wrong with how we conduct our elections, I found myself wishing that every Californian could see what I saw.
Because what I witnessed was not a system in crisis. What I witnessed was democracy working.
Thousands upon thousands of ballots moved through a rigorous verification process designed to ensure that every eligible vote is counted accurately and securely. Every ballot received attention. Every safeguard was followed. Each step reflected a simple commitment: making sure that every eligible Californian’s voice is heard. I came away impressed not only by the professionalism and expertise of our election officials, but also by their deep commitment to public service.
That experience reminded me of something important: California’s elections belong to California’s voters.
For decades, Californians have made deliberate choices about how we want our democracy to function. We have built one of the most accessible election systems in the country. We mail ballots directly to voters. We provide opportunities to cure ballot issues when mistakes happen. We make voting available in multiple languages. We work to ensure that people with disabilities can participate fully. And we continue striving to make our democracy more inclusive and representative of the people it serves.
These policies did not happen by accident. They reflect California values.
That is why the latest attacks on California elections are so troubling. President Trump’s claims of widespread fraud are unsupported by evidence and contradicted by the facts. Similar allegations have been made repeatedly over the years, and time and again they have failed to withstand scrutiny. Election officials, courts, audits, and independent experts have consistently found no evidence of the widespread fraud being alleged. Yet the claims continue.
When facts are absent, conspiracy theories fill the void. But Californians deserve better than conspiracy theories.
We deserve facts.
The fact is that election officials across our state are carrying out their responsibilities with professionalism and transparency. The fact is that California’s election system includes extensive safeguards to protect both security and voter access. The fact is that millions of Californians successfully cast ballots every election because of policies intentionally designed to help eligible voters participate.
And the fact is that decisions about how California elections are run should be made by Californians.
At the League of Women Voters of California, we will continue defending that principle. We will continue fighting for elections that are secure, accessible, transparent, and fair. We will continue standing with election officials who work tirelessly to administer our democracy with integrity. And we will continue pushing back against efforts – whether they come from Washington, political operatives, or anyone else – to undermine public trust through misinformation and unfounded attacks.
California stands at the forefront of American democracy.We have built something worth protecting.
And together, we will.
In League,
Jenny Farrell
Executive Director
League of Women Voters of California
P.S. The good news is that Californians do not have to take anyone’s word for it. Los Angeles County, for example, offers public tours of its Ballot Processing Center, allowing residents to see the process firsthand. For those unable to visit in person, live video feeds provide a window into ballot processing as it happens. Transparency is not a slogan in California’s elections – it is built into the process itself. I encourage you to see it for yourself!
Advocacy Update
State Senate Passes Landmark Voting Rights Legislation
Over the last decade, the U.S. Supreme Court has dismantled the federal Voting Rights Act – first killing federal preclearance, then gutting protections against voter suppression, and this year eliminating what remained of protections against racial vote dilution. Black and Brown communities marched, bled, and died to win the federal VRA in 1965, but now those rights are at risk, so states must step up to protect voters.
The California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) of 2026 is our state’s answer. Sponsored by the LWVC in coalition with the California Democracy Partnership, this bill builds state-level protections for language access and stops voter suppression. It also ensures communities of color have a meaningful opportunity to elect their preferred candidates to local offices.
- Status: The bill package passed the state Senate and is now in the Assembly.
- Learn More: Read our full press release to see why the CVRA of 2026 is urgently needed.
New Poll: Voters Prioritize Protecting Democracy
A recent Berkeley IGS poll shows that defending democracy and protecting voting rights are top priorities for California voters:
- 84% of likely voters say defending democracy and protecting voting rights is their top issue when choosing a governor.
- 74% of voters list reducing the cost of living as their next highest concern.
These numbers tell us that California voters are worried about what’s at stake. They have recently witnessed the Supreme Court limiting federal voting rights protections and executive orders that could destabilize elections. With fewer federal protections, the responsibility now falls to the states. Californians want state leaders to act to protect voters now.
Safeguarding Our Elections
- SB 73 (Cervantes) Signed into Law: Governor Newsom signed this bill, supported by LWVC, to strengthen election protections against growing interference and voter intimidation, particularly from the Trump Administration. Read the Governor’s press release for details.
- SB 884 (Umberg) Moving Forward: If passed, this bill will add extra protections against intimidation at polling places and make voting methods more accessible. Read our support letter.
San Bernardino Redistricting Bill Passes Senate
Our sponsored bill, SB 1414 (Reyes), passed out of the Senate last month and is heading to the Assembly! This important bill will create an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (IRC) for San Bernardino County.
Independent commissions protect communities by:
- Putting the needs of neighborhoods and communities first.
- Making the redistricting process meaningful and fair.
- Promoting transparency and public access.
Watch the co-sponsor remarks from the informational briefing hosted by Senator Reyes and her team.
Opposition Grows Against Voter ID Ballot Measure
Support for a proposed voter ID measure is dropping as Californians learn more about its impacts. The LWVC is helping lead the campaign against this measure, which is headed for the November 2026 ballot.
Claims of noncitizens voting have been disproven for decades. Instead, the real issue is that millions of eligible young people, people of color, low-income residents, and non-native English speakers are underrepresented in the vote. LWVC urges state leaders to fund voter education and outreach instead of creating new barriers to participating in our democracy.
Racial Justice Act in Action
- Historic Legal Win: In a historic first, the California Supreme Court reversed a death sentence under the Racial Justice Act, which was sponsored by LWVC, ruling that discriminatory language used by prosecutors was deeply harmful.
- Assembly Disappointment: Unfortunately, the state Assembly failed to pass our co-sponsored bill, AB 1958 (Kalra), after last-minute lobbying by law enforcement caused several legislators to change their votes. We will be holding serious discussions with these lawmakers about unjustified and dangerous law enforcement influence, and will likely return to reintroduce these critical accountability amendments next year.
Join Us: Clemency Rally in Sacramento
Advocates are gathering to mark the 50th anniversary of the return of the death penalty in the U.S. and call on Governor Newsom to commute all death sentences in California.
The event will feature civil rights and faith leaders, a 20-foot banner, and 570 candles to represent the individuals currently on death row. Organizers will deliver a “Justice through Mercy” artwork and public petitions to the Governor’s office.
- When: Tuesday, June 30 at 10:30 AM
- Where: West Steps of the California Capitol (10th Street, between L and N Streets, Sacramento, CA)
- Sign the petition here
- RSVP for the official rally event
- Fill out our internal LWVC Google Form so we know which Leaguers are attending!
WNBA Basketball: LWVC Night at Chase Center!
Monday, August 17, 2026 at 7:00pm
Chase Center, San Francisco
Join the League of Women Voters of California to experience an exciting WNBA matchup as the Golden State Valkyries take on the Dallas Wings. Enjoy a night of sports and community with preferred seating alongside fellow League members.
Attendees will enjoy exclusive benefits, including the opportunity to go courtside to watch the teams warm up and see League messaging on the Jumbotron. Also, the pregame Happy Hour is open to everyone from 5:00 – 6:30 PM at Splash Sports Bar (191 Warriors Way).
Tickets are $100 (fees waived) and include a $50 tax-deductible donation to the LWV California.
(Be sure to select seats in Sections 216, 222-225, and 201-203)
Please secure your tickets by July 16th before this popular game sells out! Questions or need help securing your tickets? Contact Group Ticket Sales at ticketing@valkyries.com or 833-825-5713.
LWVC in the News
Check out our latest media mentions below or visit our page, LWVC in the News for all our media coverage.
- Los Angeles Times: Measure to require voter ID and eliminate most mail voting leads in Shasta County
- Redding Record Searchlight: California voting groups watching heated Shasta elections boss race
- Union-Bulletin: Voters in Northern California’s Shasta County to consider an election reform measure. But is it illegal?
- Redding Record Searchlight: Lawsuit over Shasta’s contentious voter ID measure isn’t done yet
- Los Angeles Times: Shasta County voters to consider an election reform measure. But is it illegal?
- Democracy Docket: Gavin Newsom signs bill, spurred by Chad Bianco, to block ballot seizures by law enforcement
- CalMatters: Even while courting moderates on voter ID, GOP leaders still push debunked fraud narrative
Fun Corner
In this month’s LWVC Fun Corner, we’re having you decipher modern hieroglyphics – emojis! No matter what language we speak – or what emojis we text – democracy works best when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table.
Can you guess the phrases? Hint: the “+” means it is a two-word phrase. The answer key is below.
- 🗳️ ✅ ❎ + 👉 ➡️ => _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (6 letters + 6 letters)
- 🙅♂️ 🎉 🤝 => _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (11 letters)
- 🛡️ 🦸 + 🏛️ 🗽 🗳️ => _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (9 letters + 9 letters)
ANSWER KEY:
- VOTING RIGHTS
- NONPARTISAN
- DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
