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.

NEUTRAL on Proposition 50

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

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.

NEXT GENERAL MEETING, October 4, 2025, at 10 am

Where:
Tuolumne County Library, 480 Greenley Road, Sonora

Topic:
The US Forest Service and Yosemite National Park will be discussing the Ackerson Meadow Restoration Project. This is a follow-up to our July field trip.

The Ackerson Meadow Restoration Project is the largest wetland restoration project ever completed in the the Sierra Nevada. A large erosion gully network, up to 3 miles long, 14 feet deep, and 100 feet wide, had drained 90 acres of wetlands in the meadow complex. The gully was also actively eroding an additional 100 acres of remaining wetlands and wet meadow habitat.

Restoration included bringing in 150,000 cubic yards of material to the meadow to fill the gully. Both soil from the surrounding area and wood chips from the dead trees adjacent to the project area that were killed in the 2013 Rim Fire. Hundreds of native plants and pounds of native grass seed collected in and near the area were planted and spread.

Open to all.

We hope you’ll join us.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Tuesday September 9^th, 4:30 pm

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

Wednesday September 10^th, 1 pm to 3 pm

Membership Committee — Patricia Horsthius, Chair

Sonora Senior Center (Room B)

Tuesday and Wednesday September 16^th and 17^th

National Voter Registration Day & Constitution Day
Columbia College (collaborative event)

Monday September 22^nd, 1 pm to 3 pm

Voter Services — Susan Medeiros, Chair
Sonora Senior Center

Wednesday September 24^th, 11 am

Water Interest Group—Jane Braga, Lead
Sonora Senior Center

Wednesday September 24^th, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Observer Corps —Jane Braga, Chair

Senior Center in Sonora

Thursday September 25^th, 5 pm to 9 pm

LWVML Fundraiser at Murphys Creek Theater. We are hosting the preview night for “Mrs. Whitman’s Words For Women”

Monday September 22^nd, 1 pm to 3 pm

LWVML Board Meeting

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.

LWVML Observer Corps Mid-Year Report - July 2025

Observer Corps members of the League of Women Voters of the Mother Lode (LWVML) monitor the meetings of local agencies. A nonpartisan organization, the League of Women Voters has been a champion of government transparency since our founding in 1920. It is one of our core principles and is a vital part of our mission. Our Observer Corps carries out this mission by monitoring the meetings of the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors, Sonora City Council, and Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD). We attend their meetings and report back to the League about issues facing our community. We follow the issues, the decisions, and the processes. On a semi-annual basis we share our findings with the public and the agencies.

The following is our mid-year report:

In reviewing our findings, we have chosen to focus on three areas: Budget, Process, and Homelessness. An effective operating budget is essential for any agency to function well. Process, the manner in which a board conducts itself, includes parliamentary procedure, the Brown Act, and interactions of board members with each other, staff, and audience members. Our LWVML advocates actions to reduce and alleviate homelessness in our county. We monitor the effectiveness of the City and County in assisting our citizens in need of housing.

Beginning with budget, Sonora City Council, TUD, and County all have balanced budgets. Budget presentations and votes were clear and concise in City Council and TUD. Beginning in January, Board of Supervisors budget discussions were ongoing. The Board of Supervisors is experiencing budget challenges. Attempts to meet these challenges were addressed with budget cuts and staff layoffs. In May, Supervisors attempted to spend these projected savings with special projects, against the advice of staff. These clumsy attempts showed a lack of strategic planning.

A long-range plan can be a helpful budgeting tool. The city of Sonora has a 5-Year Strategic and Implementation Plan. TUD has a 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan. While we were able to locate 5-Year plans for multiple county departments, we did not see one for Tuolumne County. Having a long-range plan could help eliminate the kind of special project “horse trading” observed in budget meetings.

The Process in which a board conducts its meetings can be a reflection of the effectiveness of the board. The Brown Act is a California state law that mandates open and public meetings for all state agencies. It ensures transparency and accountability. All three agencies could benefit from an annual review of the Brown Act. We have observed potential violations in each agency.

It is important that board members treat each other, staff, and the public with respect. We commend all three agencies for their treatment of the public. We have observed disrespect among some board and council members. Interrupting staff presentations and publicly reprimanding staff is inappropriate and lacks civility.

Our third topic, Homelessness, has been a community focus for a number of years. Both City Council and Board of Supervisors have taken positive steps to meet the needs of our homeless citizens. Both have purchased properties to be renovated for affordable housing. Both are exploring partnerships with nonprofit community groups in the renovation and operation of these properties. We applaud these actions. Further, we appreciate the Board of Supervisors’ support of Camp Justice.

Sonora City Council members, the County Board of Supervisors, and TUD Directors have a responsibility to represent the community at large. As stewards of the public trust, they have an obligation to operate with full transparency. Ideally, all three agencies could strive to work cooperatively for the betterment of our community.

Thank you, Observer Corps, for another great report and all the time spent attending meetings and paying close attention to what our elected officials are doing in our community.

This report was sent to all our elected officials on July 25^th and printed in the Union Democrat on July 26^th.

If you would like to be a part of the Observer Corps and help hold our elected officials accountable, please contact Jane Braga at jbraga49@gmail.com or 209-768-3842.