"A Celebration of Crownie"

League members are invited to commemorate Crownie's long life.

• Sunday, August 30, 2026,11 AM
• At Crownie Billick's house: 360 Sunkist Lane, Los Altos, CA
• Hosted by Crownie's daughters Tammara Billik and Shoshona Billik

League of Women Voters knew Crownie, member of LWVLAMV for 56 years, who joined the League after attending a candidate’s forum in 1971. She never looked back.

She was president of our League, County Voter Services Chair, and numerous other committees at the local and state level. She had good feelings for the future. “The League will survive and thrive for the next generation.” League members who knew Crownie can keep that hope alive.

Unite & Rise! What Now?

This past weekend, from coast to coast, we saw people come together and rise up for voting rights. With midterms only weeks away, and with voting rights on the ballot in many states, it’s more important than ever to use our voices at the polls this November.

At the LWV Palo Alto Unite & Rise event on August 8, LWV members were made aware of California Proposition 39 - Voter Identification, Citizenship Verification, and Registered Voter List Administration which would amend the California constitution by instituting the same restrictions as the SAVE America Act which is on hold in the Senate.

Now is the time to prepare yourself with the power to make a difference. Vote 411 and other resources on campaigns and propositions will be available after August 30.

Join the League in Opposing Los Altos Measure D

 Our League Board voted to oppose Los Altos Measure D, the “Los Altos Downtown Parking Plazas Ordinance” on the 2026 November ballot. This ballot measure would require a city-funded election for each and every modification of the downtown parking plazas except for maintenance and limited affordable housing.  It would also open the City up to costly litigation at a time when resources are better spent on City services. The League based their decision on two League principles:  

• The League believes in representative government and holding elected officials accountable.  Hindering city decisions with costly elections, where voters would be asked to weigh in on very complicated issues, wastes scarce resources.
• The League supports housing for all Californians.  This measure makes it unlikely that Los Altos will build housing downtown; thus, the Housing Element would likely be decertified, leading to Builder’s Remedy projects, which bypass all local control and zoning.  

 Please join the League in voting NO on Measure D! 

For questions related to this ballot measure or to volunteer with the No on Measure D campaign, please contact Sue Russell.

Election Protection

Don't miss LWV California Deputy Director, Dora Rose, who joined CalNonprofits for a panel presentation seen on the video: “Securing the Right to Vote: Election Protection Strategies.” She discusses the coordinated attacks on voting rights – from federal actions and court decisions to California’s voter ID initiative and local election denialism – and the League’s work to fight back.

Rose states, “The work is double-sided: fighting the threats and simultaneously building the infrastructure that invites people back in.” For the League it means defending voters in court, strengthening California law, expanding language access, and supporting trusted community organizations to help voters participate.

League Opposes the Death Penalty

Join LWVC and the powerful coalition of community organizations and faith leaders to call on Governor Newsom to commute all death sentences in California. There is still time for each member to respond. Governor Newsom's term doesn't end until January 4, 2027. 

The League opposes the death penalty and supports criminal justice policies that protect human rights and reduce injustice.

Governor Newsom can do something historic and save hundreds of lives by granting universal clemency to the 560 people on California’s death row - the largest death row in the nation and one of the largest in the world.

• Take Action: The work isn’t done until clemency is won. Complete the LWVC action alert to the Governor!
• Watch LWVC Deputy Director Dora Rose’s remarks from the rally.