May 9, 2003
Presented by Tracy L. Pepper in Fresno, California
President, League of Women Voters of Fresno

The League of Women Voters of California is a nonpartisan citizen organization with more than 70 local and regional Leagues across the state of California. Our mission is to encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in government, work to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy. Thus we are extremely interested in seeing that the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) is implemented as well as possible in California, and many of the requirements of HAVA with respect to voter education are mirrored in activities of the League at all levels-local, regional, state, and national.

The state should work with public interest groups like the League of Women Voters and other community based and campus based organizations whose primary objective is to encourage people to get involved in the process and vote.

Considering California's great diversity, many different ways avenues must be followed to encourage California residents to register to vote and to vote. Taking League of Women Voters efforts as an example, we start with registration drives at various locations to reach many different people. We continue with efforts to inform voters with nonpartisan publications such as the Pros and Cons and Easy Reading Voter Guide, published in a number of different languages.

Our work continues with our Smart Voter Web site, www.smartvoter.org, containing vital information about candidates and issues that voters will be asked to vote on. Candidates are invited to place information about themselves for free on the Web site. A voter can type in his or her address and get an individualized ballot and click on any candidate or issue to get more information. The site also gives them the voting precinct address and a map of how to get there.

The effort continues with our outreach to youth. We have partnered with the Secretary of State's office in the National Student/Parent Mock Election program. Students who participate in this program learn how to register to vote and how it is important to become informed on the issues and candidates, and they vote in a mock election. Studies have shown that parents of these students are more likely to vote.

We hold many candidate forums to help voters become informed. Many local Leagues around the state develop projects to target underrepresented groups or precincts with traditionally low turnouts to get them to the polls.

Overall, the League endorses the recommendations of the Los Angeles Voter Empowerment Circle on voter outreach and education. We encourage the Secretary of State's office to continue to expand outreach in partnership with grassroots organizations like the League to get the message out, with particular attention to outreach in languages other than English.

Equally as important as educating voters about the election process and their rights is the need to educate poll workers. Effective implementation of HAVA requires that all its procedures be applied in a nondiscriminatory and uniform manner throughout the state and in each polling place. While there should be local options, the League believes the state should take a strong role in the facilitation of registration and voting. Statewide standards should be promulgated for the training of poll workers and their trainers, and we recommend a statewide training guide for counties' use.

HAVA implementation funds should also be directed toward the recruitment of poll workers. As one League member who has been a poll worker for many years said, "I usually have two precincts which should have three judges each. Seldom do all the judges show up on election day even when called beforehand." Recruitment is a serious problem that needs the application of many resources, and we encourage creative solutions including seeking out more students and other youth poll workers through schools and outreach programs.

The goal in implementing the Help America Vote Act must be to make registration and voting accessible to all citizens, to protect voting rights, and to encourage an informed, active electorate. Thank you for your attention to how California's system of voter education and outreach, and the training and recruitment of poll workers, can further that goal.