What's New?

The League of Women Voters of California supports the California Voters FIRST redistricting initiative and will participate in the signature gathering campaign to pass it in November 2008. This reform will enable voters to choose their legislators and eliminate the conflict of interest that occurs when legislators draw the lines and choose their constituents. Read more about this initiative. For a printable two-page overview PDF, click here.
To take action, go to the California Voters FIRST Action Center.

2008 Celebrating Leadership Awards Dinner

Save the Date! On Wednesday, March 5, 2008, the 2008 Celebrating Leadership Awards Dinner will be held at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel in downtown LA. This event is the LWVLA Education Fund's annual fundraiser. For more information and to see our honoree list, check out the Awards Dinner page.

Register Your Ralphs Club Card to Support LWVLA Education Fund

Register your Ralphs Club card for the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles Education Fund and a percentage of your Ralphs grocery store purchases will apply towards a contribution to the LWVLA Education Fund.

Go to http://www.ralphs.com, click on Community Contributions, then click on Participant.

Type in NPO number 84931. (This is the NPO number for League of Women Voters of Los Angeles Education Fund.)

Type in your Ralphs Card number. (Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 800-660-9003 to get your Club Card number.)

Members must swipe their registered Ralphs Club Card when shopping for each purchase to count.

Los Angeles: Structure of a City Government - now available online!

Read Los Angeles: Structure of a City Government online. (PDF format, 1.5 MB file)
Everything about L.A. city government--from who fixes potholes to how people run for City Council--can be found in the new edition of Los Angeles: Structure of a City Government, published by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles. To commemorate the publication, the League donated a total of 6,800 copies to the City of Los Angeles during a presentation in City Hall Council Chambers on November 7, 2006. It has distributed the remaining 7,200 copies to civic groups and residents throughout Los Angeles.
Written by Dr. Raphael J. Sonenshein of California State University, Fullerton, and recently appointed Executive Director of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Review Commission, the publication is an entirely new and expanded version of a book first published by the League in 1964 and most recently updated in 1986. The John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation funded the book.
Dr. Sonenshein's edition adds a new chapter to the long and valued history of the League's published guides to the government of Los Angeles. With his invaluable experience as Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Appointed Charter Reform Commission, his book aptly serves as an introduction to this new governing document for the 21st century.
Los Angeles: Structure of a City Government includes sections on departments, commissions and agencies that did not exist prior to the passage of the 2000 charter. Other features of the 208-page book include a newly revised city organizational chart, a recommended reading list, website resources, and an index. Weaving the history of Los Angeles' civic infrastructure throughout, it serves as an invaluable educational resource for people of all ages.

LWVUS Undertakes Immigration Study

LWVUS is conducting a two-year study on immigration. The scope of this project includes exploring underlying values and principles regarding immigration, reasons for immigration, current federal immigration policy, and the impact of immigration in American society. During 2007 local Leagues will be educating their members and communities about immigration issues. LWVLA will use this page to provide links to educational materials on various immigration topics and to announce forums that are being sponsored by Leagues in the Southern California area.
Please continue to visit this page....
Resources for the LWVUS study.

Forum on Judicial Independence

Loyola University Law School was the venue on January 27 for a series of panel discussions on the topic of the independence of the judiciary in the United States. The forum, which was sponsored LWVLA along with other local leagues, discussed what it takes to achieve a fair and impartial judiciary. Speakers included local judges, attorneys, and law school faculty. Streaming video of the event is available courtesy of LA 36.

Challenges and Judicial Pressures, moderated by Judge Terry Smerling

Luncheon talk - Early History of the Califoria Judiciary

Options and Potential Solutions, moderated by Justice Norman Epstein

LWVLA T-Shirts Available

Proudly display the LWVLA Logo and advertise the League by wearing a T-shirts with the League's name, logo, and website information printed on front and back. Shirts are available for $10. To purchase one, call the League office at 213-368-1616.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: April 4, 2008 14:20 PDT.