Our Goal: Informed Voters by Jan Wagner, President, LWVNOC

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1 The League of Women Voters of North Orange County October 2016 The Voter P.O Box 3073 Fullerton, CA Serving the cities of Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Placentia, Yorba Linda Our Goal: Informed Voters by Jan Wagner, President, LWVNOC With the overwhelmingly negative tone and tenor of this year s election, coupled with seemingly endless unrest and violence at home and abroad, it s little wonder that so many feel disillusioned. Our country is just a little over 200 years old, and remains an amazing work in progress multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and multicultural. We speak many languages, worship in different churches or not at all, inhabit different income and educational classes Americans all. In this democracy when we vote, we are all equal. If for no other reason, THAT is why every vote is so very important. At the League we know that democracy is hard work. Fortunately, we also experience the everyday joys found in doing that hard work together. Please indulge me as I celebrate some of that work and the the Orange County people doing it. The Coast League got together with the Registrar of Voters and developed Voting 101: A College Student Guide to Voting in Orange County. You can view it by clicking on the link: ocilo.ca.lwvnet.org/files/voting_101_-_college_voting_pamphlet_final_ _.pdf On National Voter Registration Day, our own Kay Bruce arranged to have it e-distributed to 16,000 community college students! On September 17, we enjoyed a great Kick-Off event at Black Gold Golf Club. The views were gorgeous, and lots of us did some early holiday shopping at our annual auction, which brought in $2500 for the LWV Education Fund. Our speaker, Martin Wisckol, gave us lots of interesting information about our changing Orange County electorate. A sincere thanks goes to everyone involved, especially Patti Chikahisa, whose efforts were tireless! Voter Service is our best antidote to voter frustration and disillusionment. Our Voter Service team, led by Deborah Vagts and Barbara Orosz, is so very busy serving our communities! We are presenting eleven candidate forums, plus at least that many Pro and Con explanations all over North Orange County. Pros and Cons are also linked on our website and Facebook. We constantly hear from the public that our work is welcome, professional, and truly appreciated by voters. Many, many LWVNOC members do this work tirelessly and well. By the time we get to October 27, none of us will want to miss Lunch with League! Our speaker will be Jodi Balma, Professor of the Year at Fullerton College, who teaches young people about politics and government. A member of our own LWVNOC, Jodi is knowledgeable, funny, current, and down-to-earth. She ll be just the antidote we all need as we come to the end of this truly unique campaign season. As a member of the League of Women Voters, I m proud to be part of a network of so many who work to make sure that all voters have a chance to ask questions about issues that matter to them, that they understand why voting is important, that they get to know local candidates, and that they cast informed votes. Thank you all! Inside This Issue Evaluate the Props 2 Calendar of Events 2 Candidates Forums 3 TV Presidential Debates 3 LWVUS Positions 4 Ballot Measures 5 Lunch with League 6 Pres. Debate Schedule 7 Internet Resources 7 Pros and Cons Forums 8 Officers and Directors 9 Membership Applications 9

2 How to Evaluate Ballot Propositions * Examine what the measure seeks to accomplish. Do you agree with those goals? Is the measure consistent with your ideas about government? Do you think the proposed changes will make things better? * Who are the real sponsors and opponents of the measure? Check where the money is coming from on the Voter s Edge website. * Is the measure well written? Will it create conflicts in the law that may require court resolution or interpretation? Is it good government, or will it cause more problems than it will resolve? * Does the measure mandate a government program or service without addressing how it will be funded? Does it earmark, restrict, or obligate government revenues? * Does the measure deal with one issue that can be easily decided by a YES or NO vote? Or, is it a complex issue that should be thoroughly examined in the legislative arena? * If the measure amends the Constitution, consider whether it really belongs in the Constitution. Would a statute accomplish the same purpose? All constitutional amendments require voter approval: what we put into the Constitution would have to come back to the ballot to be changed. Remember, no one vets the ballot arguments for accuracy! YES means change. NO means no change. LWVNOC OCTOBER 27 Thursday Lunch with League 11:30 am -1:30 pm at the Coyote Hills Golf Course in Fullerton, located at 1440 Bastanchury Road, Fullerton, CA. Jodi Balma, League member and Fullerton College professor will speak. Luncheon reservations are $20 per person. Also, see page 3 for the times and locations of upcoming Candidates Forums and page 8 for Pros and Cons Presentations.

3 Voter Services Update: Candidates Forums by Deborah Vagts The Voter Services Team has been busy scheduling Candidate Forums and we have scheduled 11 forums to date, with a 12 th in the process of being finalized. We need lots of volunteers to staff these forums, so if you haven t already done so, please contact Barbara Orosz at bjorosz@earthlink.net to volunteer. Below is the schedule of forums. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS NORTH ORANGE COUNTY CANDIDATES FORUMS DATE CITY/SCHOOL DISTRICT ADDRESS 10/4/16 Buena Park City Council City Council Chambers 6:00 pm 6650 Beach Blvd, Buena Park 10/5/16 Buena Park School District Boardroom 6:00 pm 6885 Orangethorpe, Buena Park 10/12/16 Fullerton Elementary Boardroom 6:30 pm School District 1401 W Valencia, Fullerton 10/18/16 Fullerton Joint Union Boardroom 6:30 pm High School District 1051 W Bastanchury, Fullerton 10/19/16 Cypress School District Donald Kouzes Education Center 6:30 pm 9470 Moody St, Cypress 10/20/16 La Habra School District Boardroom 6:30 pm 500 N Walnut, La Habra LWVC and Channel 7 Present Debate We are partnering with the Pat Brown Institute and KABC 7 on the ONLY debate between the two California candidates for the U.S. Senate, Loretta Sanchez and Kamala Harris, to be held on Wednesday, October 5, from 7:00-8:00 pm. Click on the link below to read more about the event. League Co-Sponsors Only U.S. Senate Debate - Submit Your Questions 3

4 LWVUS Policy Positions by James Hill This is the final part of a three-part series. The League never advocates for a particular party or politician, only for issues they have studied and on which they have reached consensus. Current League policy positions fall into four broad categories: Representative Government, International Relations, Natural Resources, and Social Policy. This article will review the League s positions on Social Policy. Social Policy Secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all. Promote social and economic justice and the health and safety of all Americans. Equality of Opportunity Equal Rights. Support ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and efforts to bring laws into compliance with the goals of the ERA. Education, Employment and Housing. Support equal access to education, employment and housing. Federal Role in Public Education. Support federal policies that provide an equitable, quality public education for all children pre-k through grade 12. Fiscal Policy Tax Policy. Support adequate and flexible funding of federal government programs through an equitable tax system that is progressive overall and that relies primarily on a broad-based income tax. Federal Deficit. Promote responsible deficit policies. Funding of Entitlements. Support a federal role in providing mandatory, universal, old-age, survivors, disability and health insurance. Health Care Promote a health care system for the United States that provides access to a basic level of quality care for all U.S. residents and controls health care costs. Immigration Promote reunification of immediate families; meet the economic, business and employment needs of the United States; be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises; and provide for student visas. Ensure fair treatment under the law for all persons. In transition to a reformed system, support provisions for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status. Meeting Basic Human Needs Support programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote selfsufficiency for individuals and families. Income Assistance. Support income assistance programs, based on need, that provide decent, adequate standards for food, clothing and shelter. Support Services. Provide essential support services. Housing Supply. Support policies to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family. Child Care Support programs and policies to expand the supply of affordable, quality child care for all who need it. Early Intervention for Children at Risk Support policies and programs that promote the well-being, development and safety of all children. Violence Prevention Support violence prevention programs in communities. Gun Control Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. Support regulation of firearms for consumer safety. Urban Policy Promote the economic health of cities and improve the quality of urban life. Death Penalty The LWVUS supports abolition of the death penalty. Sentencing Policy The LWVUS believes alternatives to imprisonment should be explored and utilized, taking into consideration the circumstances and nature of the crime. The LWVUS opposes mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses. Whatever the issue, the League believes that efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibilities, adequate financing, coordination among levels of government, effective enforcement and well-defined channels for citizen input and review. 4

5 League Positions on November Ballot Measures The League of Women Voters takes positions on ballot issues we have studied. For those who want to vote with the League, LWVC makes the following recommendations. SUPPORT means the proposition addresses an issue we have studied, and we SUPPORT the action it proposes. OPPOSE means the proposition addresses an issue we have studied, and we OPPOSE the action it proposes. NEUTRAL means we have studied the issue, and that we find both good and bad aspects in the proposition. NO POSITION means we have not studied the issue the proposition addresses, so we express no opinion on it. For more information, visit PROP 51 - SCHOOL BONDS. $3 billion in bond money for schools. SUPPORT PROP 52 - STATE FEES ON HOSPITALS. Hospital fees dedicated to Medical. NO POSITION PROP 53 - REVENUE BONDS. Voter approval for bonds over $2 billion. NO POSITION PROP 54 - CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE TRANSPARENCY ACT. Requires public display of legislative bills 72 hours prior to vote. SUPPORT PROP 55 - CHILDREN S EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE PROTECTION ACT. Extension of Prop 30 income tax increase for 12 years (to 2030). SUPPORT PROP 56 - CIGARETTE TAX. Funds healthcare, tobacco use prevention, research and law enforcement. NEUTRAL PROP 57 - PUBLIC SAFETY AND REHABILITATION ACT. Parole for non-violent criminals, juvenile court trial requirements. SUPPORT PROP 58 - ENGLISH PROFICIENCY. MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION. English to be used in public education. SUPPORT Allows languages other than PROP 59 - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ADVISORY MEASURE. Californians decide whether to SUPPORT national effort to overturn Supreme Court s Citizens United decision. OPPOSE PROP 60 - ADULT FILMS INITIATIVE STATUTE. requirements. NO POSITION Requires condom use and additional health PROP 61 - STATE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICING STANDARDS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Requires that Californians pay no more than Dept. of Veterans Affairs for drugs. NO POSITION PROP 62 - JUSTICE THAT WORKS: DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION. Repeals California death penalty. SUPPORT [See Ballot Measures on next page] 5

6 Ballot Measures from previous page PROP 63 - SAFETY FOR ALL ACT. Background checks for ammunition purchases. PROP 64 - MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION. NO POSITION SUPPORT PROP 65 - CARRY-OUT-BAGS. CHARGES. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Dedication of revenue from disposable bag sales to wildlife conservation fund. OPPOSE PROP 66 - SHORTENING DEATH PENALTY APPEALS. OPPOSE Speeds up the death penalty process. PROP 67 - PROTECT CALIFORNIA'S PLASTIC BAG BAN. Referendum on plastic bag ban. Yes means keep the ban in place. SUPPORT For more information: League of Women Voters of Orange County ILO League of Women Voters California Voter s Edge Ballotpedia CA Secretary of State Lunch with League is Moving by Marge Imbler Starting this month, Lunch with League will be moving to a new place. Join us at our new venue at the Coyote Hills Golf Course in Fullerton. It is located at 1440 Bastanchury Road, Fullerton, CA. Our featured speaker is our very own, Jodi Balma. Jodi is a Professor of Political Science at Fullerton College. She teaches Contemporary Issues in American Politics, California Politics, and American Government. She also encourages her students to get involved in local government and politics. In this election year, Jodi s speech, The Rules of the Game Determines the Winner: Electoral Politics is very timely and so important, so join us on Thursday, Oct.27, from 11:30-1:30. Luncheon reservations are $20. per person. All reservations need to be made by Monday, Oct.24 There are three ways to make a reservation: a) Order online at lunchwithleague@lwvnoc.org and pay at the door. b) Mail a check to LWVNOC, PO Box 3073, Fullerton, CA at least 1 week prior to the luncheon. c) Call the LWVNOC answering machine at (714) , and pay at the door with check or cash. Remember: a reservation made is a reservation paid. Members must pay for a missed lunch if they cancel after the Monday before the event or do not attend. 6

7 Presidential Debate Schedule Tuesday, October 4, 2016 Vice presidential debate Moderator: Elaine Quijano, Anchor, CBSN and Correspondent, CBS News Location: Longwood University, Farmville, VA The Vice Presidential debate will be divided into nine time segments of approximately 10 minutes each. The moderator will ask an opening question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a deeper discussion of the topic. Sunday, October 9, 2016 Second presidential debate Moderator: Martha Raddatz, Chief Global Affairs Correspondent and Co-Anchor of "This Week," ABC Moderator: Anderson Cooper, Anchor, CNN Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO Submit questions and vote on questions for this debate, visit PresidentialOpenQuestions.com to participate! The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which half of the questions will be posed directly by citizen participants and the other half will be posed by the moderator based on topics of broad public interest as reflected in social media and other sources. The candidates will have two minutes to respond and there will be an additional minute for the moderator to facilitate further discussion. The town meeting participants will be uncommitted voters selected by the Gallup Organization. Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Third presidential debate Moderator: Chris Wallace, Anchor, Fox News Sunday Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV The format for the third debate will be identical to the first presidential debate. Internet Resources for Voters Smart Voter LWV California Ed Fund provides statewide propositions, local candidates and issues, media links, and background materials. Orange County Registrar of Voters Election calendar, polling places, absentee voting info, multilingual voting materials Easy Voter Guide Concise facts on statewide propositions. Multilingual. California Secretary of State Official text of ballot measures, candidates statements, maps, dates, election returns California Legislative Analyst Analysis of all ballot measures CA Voter Foundation Data on campaigns League of Women Voters Our national organization California League of Women Voters Our statewide organization League of Women Voters North Orange County Our local organization League of Women Voters on facebook Inter-League Organization (ILO) LWV Vote Power of Democracy Educating voters LWV Education Fund Information from the League about California elections 7

8 LWVNOC Ballot Measure Pros and Cons Forums Our pros and cons forums offer straight forward explanations of what each measure is about, who s for it and who s against it, what your vote means, and what proponents and opponents have said about it. In this setting the League s sole purpose is to provide voters with information, and we entirely refrain from advocacy. DATE/TIME LOCATION ADDRESS 9/13/16 OLLI Mackey Auditorium 800 N State College Blvd 10:00 am CSU Fullerton Fullerton. Open to the public 9/24/16 Placentia United Methodist 2050 Valencia 10:00 am Church Placentia 09/24/16 Pacific Community of 7238 El Viento Way 1:00 pm Cultural Jews Buena Park 09/29/16 Fullerton Community Center 340 W Commonwealth 10:00 am Fullerton 10/1/16 OLLI Mackey Auditorium 800 N State College Blvd 1:00 pm CSU Fullerton Fullerton Open to the Public 10/05/16 Cypress Senior Center 9031 Grindlay St 10:00 am Cypress 10/06/16 Fullerton First United 114 N. Pomona 10:00 am Methodist Church Fullerton 10/10/16 Yorba Linda Senior Center 4501 Casa Loma 10:00 am Yorba Linda 10/12/16 Morningside -- Lakeview 800 Morningside Dr 2:45 pm Park Hall Fullerton 8

9 LWVNOC The Voter October 2016 LWVNOC Officers and Directors Officers President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Directors Action/Advocacy Program Lunch w/ League Co-Membership Voter Service Publicity Jan Wagner Patti Chikahisa Karen Hill Marilyn Buchi Mary Fuhrman Pearl Mann Lois Smith Marge Imbler Frann Shermet Dolly Israelitt Barbara Orosz Deborah Vagts Voter Editor Marketing Web Host Observer Corps Special Projects Nominating Comm. Jim Hill Kay Bruce Ed Smith Wanda Shaffer Mary Fuhrman Carol Bittle Karen Hill Off-Board Directors Read with League Penny Brown Tributes Patti Chikahisa League Mail Box Patti Chikahisa Speakers Pearl Mann Student Outreach Jodi Balma Facebook Jodi Balma Ruth Hutchison Excursions Phone Observers Anaheim Brea Buena Park Cypress Fullerton La Habra La Palma OC BOS Placentia Yorba Linda Barbara Orosz Deborah Vagts Deborah Vagts Jennifer Trafford Satya Khouri Mary Fuhrman Kathy Sidaris Wanda Shaffer Carol Bittle LEAGUE of WOMEN VOTERS of NORTH ORANGE COUNTY Membership Form 2017 Name(s) of Member(s) Address City Zip Code Phone Cell Individual member $65.00 Renewal New member Additional household member $32.50 Renewal New member Student member $32.50 Renewal New member Additional donation to League (To cover our operating expenses, etc.): $25 $50 $75 $100 other Donation to Educational Fund (Separate tax-deductible donation): $25 $50 $75 $100 other Total enclosed (Make checks payable to LWVNOC.) Thank you. How can you serve the League? How can the League serve you? Please complete this member survey. Circle your choices or fill in the blanks. Our areas of emphasis this year are: Climate change, Money in politics, and Voter Service. I am interested in working on: I would also be willing to work on special events and other League projects. Yes No I have special skills (for example: graphic art, computers): I am currently: Working Retired My job/profession: I prefer to attend League events: During the day In the evening Weekdays Weekends Suggestion for an activity or speaker: I am not able to participate in League events, but wish to support the work of the League by renewing my membership or by making a donation. Comments: Please send this completed form with your check to LWVNOC, P.O. Box 3073, Fullerton, CA For Treasurer s Use Only: Check # Amount $ 9 Date:

10 League of Women Voters P. O. Box 3073 Fullerton, CA