Democratic Club
by Mary Larson
LW contributor
With vote-by-mail ballots now being delivered, the LW Democratic Club is stepping up its efforts to provide accurate information to Leisure World voters.
Nearly 3,500 letters stressing the importance of voting in the 2022 General Election have been mailed to LW Democrats and potential supporters.
In addition to including a list of the club’s supported candidates, the letters stress the importance of reelecting Katie Porter to Congress.
It has become increasingly clear that the 47th District is among a handful of highly competitive Orange County districts. The outcome of the races in these districts could determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives for the next two years.
It is gratifying that support for Porter extends well beyond the borders of LW’s 47th Congressional District which includes Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach.
On a related issue, the Democratic Club is pleased with the passage of CA Senate Bill 1439, recently signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Current state law puts no limitations on contractors, developers, and other special interests in local government when they seek to influence— via campaign cash—city council members and county supervisors who decide on the contracts, permits and licenses that they seek.
That will change with the passage of SB 1439. Orange County Board of Supervisors, city councils, school boards and all other local elected officials throughout the county are covered under the newly adopted bipartisan legislation. They will soon be barred from voting on items benefitting contributors who donated more than $250 within the past 12 months. The bill also mandates a 12-month blackout period for receiving campaign donations if an elected official voted on an item benefitting the would-be donor. “It could very well be the most significant political reform in the last 50 years. It’s under the radar, most people haven’t been paying attention to it but it’s a very significant change,” according to the author of the legislation.
••• During October, the Democratic Hospitality and Information booth will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the parking lot outside of Clubhouse 6. Information about the election, as well as club membership will be available.
Leisure World voters deserve to feel confident that they are receiving accurate information. With that in mind, the club’s free newsletter is devoted to “truth telling.”
Democrats and supporters can subscribe to the club’s newsletter for more detailed reports. This reporting will include dispelling misinformation, regardless of where it comes from.
People can sign up for the newsletter by emailing democraticclubsblw@ gmail. com or calling (562) 296-8521. People are asked to include their full name, address, phone number, as well as party affiliation.
