Monthly Highlights for August 2025
August proved to be a busy month for the League of Women Voters of California. We’re excited to announce the LWVC’s next Executive Director, signaling bold leadership and a sharper focus on equity and democracy. Read on for quick-scan updates on advocacy priorities, plus a forward look at SB 42, language access, the November special election and voter engagement across California. This is your front-row seat to the movement shaping California’s democracy.
Powering Democracy Forward: Jenny Farrell Named Executive Director
The League of Women Voters of California is thrilled to announce Jenny Farrell, Esq. as our next Executive Director. A dynamic public interest lawyer and nonprofit leader, Jenny has a proven record of driving growth, building powerful partnerships, and championing equity and justice. From securing major philanthropic investments to expanding community-based services, she has shown how bold leadership can deliver real impact. Jenny’s passion for civic engagement and her commitment to a more inclusive democracy make her the right leader for this moment. She officially steps into the role on October 20, 2025. Read the full story.
Advocacy Update
All in a Day
August 26th was a full day for the League of Women Voters of California. Our team spread out across Sacramento to advance key legislation with our coalition partners, amplify the need for campaign finance reform, and engage in dialogue around language access for voters.
Lobby Day with Building the California Dream Alliance
Carol Moon Goldberg, LWVC’s VP of Advocacy, represented LWVC at the Dream Alliance’s lobby day. She advocated on League supported bills, AB 1071 (Kalra) and AB 736 (Wicks). AB 1071 strengthens the implementation of the League-sponsored Racial Justice Act. AB 736 would bring a statewide affordable housing bond to the ballot in 2026.
SB 42 Rally: Supporting Public Campaign Financing
While Carol lobbied with the Dream Alliance, Dora Rose, LWVC’s Deputy Director, led the charge for our cosponsored bill, SB 42 (Umberg), in a rally at the state Capitol. SB 42 would put a measure on the 2026 ballot to repeal the ban on public financing of campaigns. The bill awaits a vote on the floor. Take action to tell your Assemblymember to vote YES on SB 42 with our action alert!
Section 203 Summit: Celebrating Language Access for Voters
Rounding out our active day, Savannah Jorgensen, LWVC’s Public Policy and Organizing Manager, attended the More Voices, Stronger Democracy Summit: The 50th anniversary of Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. The event, hosted by our colleagues at ACLU SoCal, Asian Law Caucus, California Common Cause, and the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, featured panelists and group discussions highlighting the need for improved language access for voters. In this pivotal time for voting rights, states must find ways to protect language access to work towards a more inclusive and representative democracy.
August 26 was one powerful day, but it is only the beginning. Together, we are building momentum for racial justice, fair elections, and full voter participation, creating the democracy all Californians deserve.
2025 Election Resources for Voters
The statewide special election is almost here—Election Day is Tuesday, November 4! Your voice is powerful, and your vote matters. The League is here to support you with reliable election information.
Easy Voter Guide – Unbiased publication for new and busy voters, providing important information about voting and the state ballot measures. The Easy Voter Guide, available in 5 languages, is community-reviewed to ensure the information is easy to understand.
The Easy Voter Guide will be available to order September 8, so stay tuned!
VOTE411 – A comprehensive, nonpartisan online ballot tool to candidates covering federal, state, and local races in California. You can also learn about ballot measures, find your polling place, and more.
Visit VOTE411.org/ballot to enter your address and view your ballot.
Voter Bill of Rights – Makes your voting rights easy to understand and is available in multiple languages. The Bill of Rights was rewritten several years ago in plain language in a collaboration among the League of Women Voters of California, the California Secretary of State, and the Center for Civic Design.
Check out our Know Your Voting Rights page for more helpful information.
More Voter Resources
The Secretary of State offers many helpful guides for all voters, like the:
- Voters with Medical Emergencies Fact Sheet
- USPS Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Fix a Missing or Mismatched Signature on Your Vote-by-Mail Return Envelope
When you receive your ballot, you can vote early!
Ballots will start being mailed out on October 6. You can vote early! Find Early Voting and Ballot Dropbox locations.
After returning your ballot, check to find out where your ballot is in the process and when it has been accepted.
If you miss the voter registration deadline, you can still vote in this election!
You can register and vote on the same day – all the way up through Election Day. Learn how to complete Same Day Voter Registration. If you need to register after October 20 and want to vote from home, contact your County Elections Office to find out how to register and get a vote-by-mail ballot through Election Day.
Did you know…
- You do not have to vote on everything on your ballot.
- If you made a mistake on your ballot, and you have not turned it in, you can request a new one.
- As long as you are in line at your polling place by 8pm on Election Day, November 4 – you still can vote. Stay in line!
- Heard a rumor you want to fact-check about California elections? Check out the CA Secretary of State’s trusted information.
