The Sacramento Voter
February 2015
T HE S ACRAMENTO V OTER
Contents
1– Loaves & Fishes
Events
Loaves & Fishes
Joan Burke, A. Ginosar, B. Hopkins 12/2014. Photo by L. Martinez
2-Advocacy Committee
Loaves & Fishes
Environmental Tradeoffs
New Members
Morning Social
3– Program Planning
LWVC Positions
4- LWVC Positions
5- LWVC Positions
Human Trafficking
6– Unit Meetings
Position on Homeless
7- Homeless
Voter Apathy
8- Online Voter Registration
“We know what works”, Joan Burke told the Committee on Homelessness (ComHom) on Monday
November 10, 2014 as we toured Loaves &Fishes (LF) and learned about the problem of over 1,000
citizens nightly sleeping on the streets in Sacramento without a place to live. The problem of
homelessness in Sacramento County is solvable, according to Joan. In the 1980’s it was “shocking”
that so many women with children were homeless at Maryshouse when Joan volunteered. Over 30
years later, the biggest change now is that more families with several kids are homeless. Starting in
about 2009 many more are homeless for economic reasons - not for substance abuse/mental illness.
Loaves & Fishes is a welcoming place. “Come in, have a meal and shower, and then let’s talk”.
The individuals who come are “guests” not clients. The staff meet them where they are, listen to
them and offer the service that they need: Friendship Park- showers, bike repair, day storage,
locker rental for one month, change of clothes, coffee, water, referrals to housing, county welfare
eligibility worker, dog kennel for a day while the individual is there, Maryshouse – daily safe
place for women, while kids attend school, women’s showers, breakfast with children, self esteem
group, Mustard Seed School – 4 classrooms surrounding tree/plant lined courtyard, Nora’s
Residence –accommodations for women with severe mental health problems, group/individual
counseling. In addition there is Mercy Clinic Health, Genesis Mental Health, Women’s
Empowerment (for over 10 years) and now Men’s Empowerment.
Cont. on page 7
Events
Saturday, February 7, 2015, 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. LWVSC Program Planning, Colonial Heights Library
4799 Stockton Blvd & 21st Ave. Pages 3-5
Monday-Tuesday, February 9-10, 2015. Unit Meetings. Pages 1, 6-7
Saturday, February 14, 2015, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Social for all members at Wellsprings Center. Meet your
Board members and enjoy our guest speaker, Thomas R. Clark, PhD, CSUS History Department.
3414 4th Ave. Page 2
Thursday, February 19, 2015, 6:30 p.m. Forum-Reform in government: McKinley Library, 601 Alhambra Blvd.
Page 2
Saturday, February 28, 2015, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Public Forum on Homelessness at Wellsprings Center,
3414 4th Ave. Page 7
Thursday, March 19, 2015, 7:00 p.m. Metro Cable, District 6 Candidates. Volunteers contact [email protected]
Thursday, March 26, 6:00 p.m. Happy 75th Birthday celebration LWVSC. Plates Café, 14 Business Park Way
1
The Sacramento Voter
February 2015
2014-2015
B OARD OF D IRECTORS
League of Women Voters
of Sacramento County
1107 9th Street, #300
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-447-8683
[email protected]
www.lwvsacramento.org
Officers:
Co-Presidents
Nancy Compton,
Paula Lee
Board of Directors:
Rick Bettis, Natural Resources
Suzi Bakker, Treasurer
Claudia Bonsignore, Fund Develop.
Louise Einspahr, Dir.at Large
Barbara Hopkins, Program
Elaine Lee, Sci/Tech Director
William Lee, Units Coordinator
Liliana Martinez, Secretary
Holly Smith, Voter Service
Off Board:
Barbara Carr, LWVC Children’s
Roundtable
Nancy Findeisen, Budget Comm.
Eileen Heaser, Voter Registration
Rosanna Torretto Nominating Comm.
Catherine Troka, Membership Records
Voter editor– Alice Ginosar
Voter publisher– Eileen Heaser
www.facebook.com/LWVSacramento
The Advocacy Committee
The Advocacy Committee of the LWVSC has joined forces with Eye on Sacramento (EOS)
and Common Cause to promote ethics and transparency in Sacramento City Government.
This is in line with various State and National positions of the League which support a
citizen's right to know, open and ethical government and impartial redistricting of voting
districts.
The group presently is exploring and gathering information in these areas: transparency,
ethics, commission/ethics code, and future redistricting of city council districts (redistricting
commission). Beginning in late February a series of forums are planned. The public will be
invited to help decide how reforms in these areas should be implemented. After the process
of gathering the opinions and information from voters, the group will draft some tentative
proposals and hold a second series of forums to obtain reaction to these proposals before final
proposals are prepared for presentation to the City Council.
The first forum will be at the McKinley Library meeting room (Clunie building) Thursday,
February 19, 2015, 6:30PM. By: Fifi Zeff
Submitted by Louise Einspahr
Environmental Tradeoffs Climate Change and Natural Resources
For the past three months I have been part of an advisory stakeholder committee convened by
Sacramento Regional Transit to review and comment on the preliminary designs for a
proposed bridge across the American River between Sequoia Pacific Avenues in the River
District on the south to Truxal Road in South Natomas on the north.
This bridge is primarily intended to carry light rail traffic into the Natomas area and
eventually to the Sacramento International Airport. It would include lanes for pedestrians and
bicyclist and would possibly allow automobiles to share the same lanes as the light rail tracks.
Light rail to the airport has been a goal of Regional Transit and the City and County of
Sacramento for many years.
Transportation modeling studies indicate that this facility should reduce traffic congestion on
Interstate 5 and result in lower emissions of both greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.
However, American River Parkway advocates and other environmentalists focused on the
protection of natural habitats and recreational resources are opposed to this bridge because of
its negative noise and visual impacts on the Parkway. The bridge crosses though a densely
wooded part of Discovery Park and will result in the disturbance of approximately five acres
of habitat. In developing the proposed design great effort has been made to minimize the
environmental impacts of the project. However some recreation and natural habitat advocates
remain opposed to the project. The next step in the planning process will be the preparation
of a detailed Environmental Impact Report by mid 2016. This process will include
community meetings, bridge hearings and other opportunities for public involvement.
Rick Bettis, Natural Resources Director
Google images 1/9/15
Welcome New Members
Craig Powell
Cont. from page 1 (Events)
& Maria Kelly
New, Prospective and Current Members’ Social
The LWVSC will honor our new and returning members. Also, we will be celebrating the 95th anniversary of the League of
Women Voters. Current and prospective members are most welcome and encouraged to attend.
The morning's event will feature news from the Board members, information regarding the Anne Rudin Scholarship and Suffragist
Club from Suzanne Phinney and a historical perspective titled "Equality or Difference? Debating Women's Suffrage in Words &
Images - 1890-1920" by CSUS history professor, Thomas Clark.
2
The Sacramento Voter
February 2015
State and Local Program Planning February 7, 2015
Join us on February 7 for a lively discussion as we review our State positions and propose the areas on which to focus our local
energy, the energy of other local Leagues in California, and the resources of the state League (staff, board, consultants, and other
volunteers) over the next two years. In addition, we will review our local positions and propose issues for emphasis for our
Sacramento County League in the coming year. In League Lingo this is called “program planning.”
Saturday, Feb 7, 2015, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Colonial Heights Library
4799 Stockton Blvd (near 21st Ave)
The Program Planning process is part of what makes the League a grassroots organization; each League member has the
opportunity to influence the selection of issues where the local and state League will focus time, talent and money. It takes the
enthusiasm and interest of our members to keep our program vital. You would never skip voting in an election; you should not
skip the League’s equivalent. The program planning process is your voice!
Our meeting will have two distinct parts. The first part is focused on the League of Women Voters of California (LWVC)
positions and our suggestions for priorities. Found elsewhere in this Voter is a summary of the LWVC Positions in Brief. We
will examine these positions on Saturday to determine whether to retain, drop or update them. Then we will determine where
LWVC’s focus should be for the next two years. There are a variety of recommendations available: the study of an issue, an
update study of an issue, community education about an issue, or advocacy on an issue.
We will then do the same things for our Sacramento County League. The local positions are found in the Handbook and Roster.
As with the state positions, we will determine whether to retain, drop or update the positions. In doing so we must consider the
local resources available to enact any of the decisions made. The same is true when determining issues for emphasis.
Traditionally, the Sacramento County League chooses three issues of emphasis. These issues can be study, advocacy or
community education.
For both state and local planning processes we must keep in mind a number of questions. Is this an issue that would attract
participation from the community and our members? Is this an issue on which legislative or regulatory action is needed? Will
political realities permit effective government action during the next two years? If this is a topic for study, will the issue still be
timely when the study is completed in several years? Does this issue involve a need not being well met by other groups? Is there
member interest and commitment to this topic? Could the League play a significant role in impacting community concern and/or
public policy decisions on this issue? Is this an issue that will attract financial support? Is there money available to support the
priority?
Please take time to review the state and local positions and to think about suggestions for issues for emphasis. For more
information on program planning see: http://archive.lwvc.org/lwvonly/progplan/ This program planning process leads directly to
the LWVC Convention in May and the LWVSC Annual Meeting also in May. Join us for this uniquely League meeting! RSVP
to [email protected].
LWVC POSITIONS IN BRIEF
GOVERNMENT
CAMPAIGN FINANCING adopted in 1973, updated in 1976
Position in brief: Support state campaign finance practices for candidates and advocates of ballot measure positions that will
ensure full disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures and enable candidates to compete more equitably for public
office.
CONSTITUTION adopted in 1957, updated in 1965-67
Position in brief: Support measures to secure an orderly and simplified state constitution; provisions that enable the legislature to
deal with state problems efficiently, flexibly and with responsibility clearly fixed, and constitutional guarantee of equal
representation of all citizens in the state.
ELECTION SYSTEMS adopted in 2001, amended in 2003 and 2011
Position in brief: Support election systems for executive offices and other single-seat offices, both at the state and local levels,
that require the winner to receive a majority of the votes, as long as the majority is achieved using a voting method such as Instant
Runoff Voting, rather than a second, separate runoff election.
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PROCESS adopted in 1984, updated in 1999 and 2013
Position in brief: Support citizens’ right of direct legislation through the initiative and referendum process.
Position in brief: Support an efficient, effective and equitable balance of responsibility and authority among the levels of
government with accountability to the public.
Cont. on page. 4
3
The Sacramento Voter
February 2015
Cont. from page 3.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS adopted in 1981
Position in brief: Support an efficient, effective and equitable balance of responsibility and authority among the levels of
government with accountability to the public.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES adopted in 1998
Position in brief: Support a public library system as a basic community service with a long-term, assured, stable and adequate
funding source. Support access by all persons to public library services as a major source of knowledge and information necessary
for informed, active participation in a democratic society.
REDISTRICTING adopted in 1988; amended in 2007
Position in brief: Support a state redistricting process and standards that promote fair and effective representation in the state
legislature and in the House of Representatives with maximum opportunity for public scrutiny. Support an independent commission
as the preferred redistricting body.
STATE AND LOCAL FINANCES adopted in 1969, updated in 1975; new positions 1976, 1977, 1981, and 1995.
Position in brief: Support measures to ensure revenues both sufficient and flexible enough to meet changing needs for state and
local government services; that contribute to a system of public finance that emphasizes equity and fair sharing of the tax burden as
well as adequacy; that include long range finance methods that meet current and future needs while taking into account the
cumulative impact of public debt. Support a process that maintains statutory authority over tax sources, rates and tax expenditures;
that makes limited use of direct voting by the public on revenue measures; and that allows adoption of revenue and finance
measures by a simple majority vote. Support the distribution of revenue sources between state and local governments in a manner to
ensure adequate, equitable and flexible funding of public programs based on the responsibilities and requirements of each and that
encourages accountability. Support an equitable, broad-based local property tax, easy and economical to administer, producing
adequate revenue, with limitations on the types of services it funds. Support assessment practices and policies that are equitable,
accurate, easy to understand and well publicized, with like properties treated uniformly.
VOTING RIGHTS adopted in 1972, reviewed in 1986
Position in brief: Support measures that will protect every citizen's right to vote and that will ensure government's responsibility to
protect this right through regulations and procedures that encourage an informed and active electorate.
NATURAL RESOURCES
AGRICULTURE adopted in 1983
Position in brief: Support policies that recognize agricultural land as a limited resource that must be preserved for the economic and
physical well-being of California and the nation. Appropriate agricultural land should be identified and its long term protection
should be based on regulatory and incentive programs that include comprehensive planning, zoning measures and other preservation
techniques. State policy that affects agriculture should ensure the conservation of soil and water resources through incentives
coupled with penalties for noncompliance.
AIR QUALITY adopted in 1971, updated in 1973
Position in brief: Support measures to establish air quality standards that will protect the public health and welfare, and the
development of effective enforcement and implementation procedures at each level of government to attain these standards.
ENERGY adopted in 1978, updated in 1980 and 2006; amended in 2007
Position in brief: The League supports development of a state energy policy that will ensure reliability of energy resources and
protection of the environment and public health and safety, at reasonable customer rates, giving primary consideration to
conservation and energy efficiency. State government should provide an efficient, coordinated energy administrative structure with
open transparent procedures.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS adopted in 1986 and 1987
Position in brief: Support comprehensive measures to provide maximum protection to human health and the environment from the
adverse effects of hazardous materials, including pesticides. An integrated approach should be taken to prevent harmful exposures
through soil, surface and ground water contamination, bioaccumulation, air pollution and direct contact. Hazardous materials
planning should promote pollution prevention. All levels of government share responsibility for preventing exposures.
LAND USE adopted in 1975
Position in brief: Support state land use planning that recognizes land as a resource as well as a commodity. The state should
establish guidelines and standards for land areas of more than local concern. Decisions for these areas should be made at the lowest
level of government feasible, but should be subject to state review. Citizens must have a meaningful participation in land use
planning and regulation.
Cont. on page. 5
4
The Sacramento Voter
February 2015
Cont. from page 4.
SOLID WASTE adopted in 1973
Position in brief: Support measures to ensure environmentally sound and efficient solid waste management, to reduce the generation
of wastes, to encourage resource recovery, and t increase the demand for secondary materials
TRANSPORTATION adopted in 1981, revised in 1985; new position in 1991
Position in brief: Support a transportation system to move people and goods that includes a variety of transportation modes, with
emphasis on increased public transportation services and other viable alternatives to reduce vehicle miles traveled; is efficient,
convenient, and cost effective; is safe and secure; services all segments of the population and diverse geographic needs; minimizes
harmful effects on the environment; is integrated with land use; and is supported by extensive public education.
WATER adopted in 1959, updated in 1961, 1967, 1971, and 1979
Position in brief: Support measures that promote the management and development of water resources in ways that are beneficial to
the environment with emphasis on conservation and high standards of water quality that are appropriate for the intended use.
SOCIAL POLICY
CHILD CARE adopted in 1989
Position in brief: Support state and local policies, legislation and programs that meet the need for accessible, affordable, and quality
child care.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM adopted in 2003
Position in brief: Support a statewide community college system with sufficient resources to fulfill its overall goal: to offer all
Californians access to a quality higher education. Resources should be stable, accommodate all enrolling students, be fairly
distributed among the college districts, and provide opportunities for long-range planning. Governance should allow greater authority
within the system itself with local districts making key decisions about mission priorities to meet community needs.
EDUCATION: PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12 adopted in 1973, updated in 1985 and 2005
Position in brief: Support a comprehensive pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade public education system that meets the needs of
each individual student; challenges all students to reach their highest potential; develops patterns of lifelong learning and responsible
citizenship. Support improvements in public education, based on access with both equitable and sufficient opportunities to learn for
all students. Support a system of public education funding that is adequate, flexible, equitable, reliable and sustainable; derived from
a combination of revenue sources; and distributed fairly to support access and equitable opportunities for all students. Support
formulating broad general guidelines at the state level, with flexibility at the local level for developing and implementing program.
HOUSING adopted in 1970, updated in 1973 and 1993
Position in brief: Support of equal opportunity in housing. Support of measures to provide state programs to increase the supply of
safe, decent, and adequate housing for all Californians. Support for action at all levels of government for the provision of affordable
housing for all Californians.
JUVENILE JUSTICE/DEPENDENCY adopted in 1997 and 1999, amended in 2011
Position in brief: Support a juvenile justice/dependency system that works to prevent child abuse and neglect and juvenile
delinquency, that serves foster children and their families and status offenders, and that rehabilitates juvenile offenders, by promoting
the safety and well-being of children and helping to prepare them for productive participation in society. Support early identification
of at-risk children and families followed by appropriate referrals to services that work with children, youth, families and schools.
Support community efforts to provide safe supportive environments for children and their families and institutions that respect them
and promote non-violent solutions to problems. Support the rights and best interests of the child in preference to those of any other
individual.
LEGAL AID adopted in 1971, revised in 1983
Position in brief: Support measures that will enable the judicial system of the state to provide for all citizens adequate access to legal
services.
MENTAL HEALTH CARE adopted in 1998
Position in brief: Support for an adequately funded mental health care system that provides comprehensive services to the acutely,
chronically and seriously mentally ill of all ages; maintains optimal mental health services for all clients places emphasis on meeting
the needs of children; offers mental health services for the homeless; seeks additional funds for preventive services; implements a
master plan to integrate services; raises awareness of critical unmet needs; and emphasizes case management.
Prepared by C. Moon Goldberg
Human Trafficking
On Tuesday, February 17. 2015, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., My Sister’s House is sponsoring a program on human trafficking, titled
“Not on Our Watch: Ending Human Trafficking Together”. There are several speakers —legal and organization representatives
presenting the program. The cost is $55 general admission. It will take place at CSUS in the University Union Ballrooms I and
II. For more information: 916-930-0626 or [email protected] By E. Heaser
5
The Sacramento Voter
February 2015
February Unit Meetings
For the February LWVSC Unit meetings, members are invited to discuss the League's possible adoption by concurrence of the
Position on the Homeless which is used by the San Mateo County League of Women Voters. Once adopted, we could use the
Position as a basis for advocacy and update it as necessary.
Unit
Date & Time
Contact
Location
Mid-City
Monday
February 9, 6:15 p.m.
Tom Swift
453-8707
5308 Shepard Ave.
Sacramento 95819
Morning
Suburban
Tuesday
February 10, 9:15 a.m.
2426 Garfield Ave.
Carmichael 95608
Greenhaven
Land Park
Tuesday
February 10, 10:00 a.m.
Anne Berner
Helen Shryock
944-1042 & 944-2274
Mary Hopkins
422-6958
Elk Grove
Tuesday
February 10 1:00 p.m.
Bill & Elaine Lee
688-5360
8622 Shasta Lily Drive
Elk Grove 95624
45 Sunlit Circle
Sacramento 95831
Contact Bill Lee , Unit coordinator, 916-688-5360, [email protected] OR [email protected] if you are unable to attend
the Unit meetings but would like to receive emails of the Unit discussion materials,
Position on Homeless
At the May 2014 annual meeting, members expressed concern that the League of Women Voters of Sacramento County did not
have a position on the homeless. They stated that a homeless position should be included in our Handbook, and that the
membership should advocate on their behalf. Accordingly Homelessness in Sacramento County was selected as an issue for
emphasis and study for 2014-2015.
A LWVSC study committee was formed, ComHom, chaired by Alice Ginosar. One of its goals is to recommend a position on the
homeless which can be placed before the membership thus enabling our League to advocate for policy changes that reduce the
number of homeless in our area.
After much research and study, ComHom has identified the San Mateo County LWV Position on the Homeless as best suited
for meeting our needs. The LWVSC membership will vote on adopting by concurrence at the Annual Meeting, May 2015.
For the February LWVSC Unit meetings members are invited to discuss the League's possible adoption by
concurrence of the Position on the Homeless used by the San Mateo County League of Women Voters.
Position:
We support measures which provide for the needs of the homeless, with responsibility shared by the public and
private sectors with government assuming the primary role.
We support the provision of permanent housing affordable to low-income persons as one solution to the growing
problem of homelessness.
We support emergency, transitional, and long-term plans to meet the needs of the homeless. The primary focus should be on
single parent families and families who do not qualify for federal and state assistance programs.
We support making public and private buildings available for emergency shelters where facilities meet health standards.
The private sector should be provided with financial support from the county and cities to develop long-term shelters.
We support programs to help the homeless become self-sufficient, including: counseling, job training and vocational
counseling, child care, medical/dental and mental health service, tutorial programs, and first month's rent and deposit
assistance and transportation.
Cont. on page. 7
6
The Sacramento Voter
February 2015
Cont. from page 6.
Some questions for discussion on homelessness
How can our league best advocate for the homeless?
What should we do for veterans?
What should we request of our representatives?
From whom should we request input for our advocacy? By B. Lee
Cont. from page 1. (Loaves & Fishes)
The prior philosophy for decades all over the United States was first “stop drinking and follow the rules” then you can have a meal
or sleep overnight. Now the philosophy is more welcoming. The diversity of the guests at LF is about 50% African American (with
population in Sacramento of 12%). The Russian population is increasing; there are few Latinos as their families care for them.
How can the LWVSC help?
What should the government do? The federal government has set the goal to “end homelessness” and has offered grants to local
communities. There are roughly 1,000 homeless every night in Sacramento. “That is manageable” says Joan Burke, it is doable to
house that many. It costs less to build small apartment units for individuals than to pay for him/her on the street with hidden cost of
emergency rooms, temporary shelters, and police. In Utah it takes $8,000 per year to build a small apartment unit and $20,000
(including hidden costs) for one to live on the streets. Sacramento County does not currently have enough shelters. There are 350
turned away monthly, especially women with children. LWVSC can advocate that no child should be sleeping on the street, in a car
or under a bridge. Funding is needed to fill this need as well as funding from Sacramento County for an emergency response
system. In Sacramento many government officials are very concerned about the homeless including Mayor Kevin Johnson,
Supervisors Serna, Nottoli and Mac Glashan and many heads of local government agencies.
Increase in number of women & children homeless in 2007 from 487 families to 801 in 2013.
Every week for the past 10 years a homelessness person has died in Sacramento totaling over 500.
ComHom Committee members are: Barbara Hopkins, Liliana Martinez, Bill Lee, Elaine Lee, Suzi Bakker and Alice Ginosar
(chair). ComHom met with leaders of community groups providing services to and advocating in support of the homeless
community, including Sacramento Housing Alliance, Homeless Advocacy - Darryl Rutherford, Sacramento Regional Coalition to
End Homelessness -Bob Erlenbusch, Loaves & Fishes -Joan Burke, Sacramento Area Congregations Together and Gabby Trejo and
others.
Please join our Community Forum on Saturday, February, 28, 2015, from 9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Become more informed on the
tragic problem of homelessness in our community. Speakers include Bob Erlenbusch, Sacramento Regional Coalition to End
Homelessness and Joan Burke, Loaves & Fishes. By. A. Ginosar
Voter Apathy
At the May 2014 Annual Meeting, the League identified Voter Apathy as one of our “Issues for Emphasis.” We could hardly
have been more prescient. California reached a new low for voter participation in the November 2014 election, only 42.2% of
registered voters cast ballots, representing an estimated 30.94% of eligible voters. Sacramento County performed somewhat better
at 48.39% and 34.42%, respectively. Interestingly, Sacramento city had 46.15% participation, even with Measure L on the ballot.
Our strategy for addressing voter apathy is to broaden Voter Service outreach in the communities with low voter turnout. This
may, in fact, be a good strategy, but we clearly need to do ground work in order to target Voter Service outreach. We need
information about who votes and who doesn’t, and why we need to cultivate existing and build new relationships with other
organizations that share our interests. Fortunately we have already taken steps in both areas.
First, several of us are planning to attend a presentation in San Francisco on new research (California's New Political Realities:
Why Low Voter Turnout May Be the New Normal and What Can Be Done About It) and to participate in a conference in
Sacramento about expanding voter participation (Future of California Elections, 2015 Conference). Both of these events promise
to inform us about recent research results and ways to expand voter participation.
Second, our recent work on the City of Sacramento’s Measure L campaign allowed us to make some new alliances and to
renew some old ones. We are continuing to engage with these people and organizations and we expect to add to these alliances at
the upcoming events.
In future Voter newsletters, we will update our membership on what we are learning and how our new-found knowledge can
help target our programs both to increase voter registration and to improve voter participation by informing and engaging the
electorate. By Suzi Bakker
7
The Sacramento Voter
February 2015
T HE L EAGUE OF W OMEN V OTERS
OF S ACRAMENTO C OUNTY
First Class Mail
1107 9th Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-447-VOTE
Fax: 916-447-8620
www.lwvsacramento.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Return Service Requested
February 2015
First Class Mail
Problems with Online Voter Registration
“...online registration cuts costs, increases the accuracy of voter rolls and eases their administrative burdens. Voters like the
ease and convenience of registering or updating their information online, while advocates appreciate the boost in voter
registration numbers.”
However, still restricted are citizens without a driver’s license or non-drivers’ ID signature that is on file. Millions of voters lack
the proper ID- specifically: seniors, people of color and those with disabilities.
A solution would be to allow applicants to sign online similar to how users can sign contracts. Or using technology that will
capture an electronic version of the person’s signature.
By Lloyd Leonard 12/02/2014. LWV Blog Round-Up, December, 2014 (1/1/2015)
For more click the live link above. E. Heaser
Presidents’ Day, February 17, 2015. Google Images 1/8/15
8