Mark your calendars! Local voter suppressionists are at it again!

Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 23rd and a whole slew of appearances at a city council meeting near you!

• Wednesday, July 17, 6:30 PM Moorpark City Hall
• Monday, July 22, 6:30 PM Simi Valley City Hall
• Tuesday, July 23, 8:30 AM Tuesday, County Board of Supervisors, County of Ventura Hall of Administration
• Tuesday, July 23, 6:00 PM Ojai City Hall
• Tuesday, July 30, 6:00 PM Oxnard City Hall
• Wednesday, August 7, 6:30PM Santa Paula City Hall

“Election Denial poses an ongoing threat to U.S. democracy.”

Trump’s lies about his loss in 2020 has spawned a whole eco-system of right-wing election-deniers, from self-certified armchair “experts,” to county and state officials who are delaying or withholding certifications of election results. He’s apparently chosen his vice president based on his willingness to ignore the Constitution and overthrown a federal election if necessary.

Election politics have gotten so dysfunctional, that a Republican official in Nevada, bowing to pressure from her party, actually refused to certify the election she won! By a large margin! Even after the recount demanded by her challenger showed the results were correct!

Ventura County is no exception to coordinated and well-funded election denier pressure.

“Restore the Vote Ventura” (RTVV), a growing band of racist, election-denying voter-suppressionists, have been showing up regularly at our Ventura County Board with speeches fully of pseudo-legal and technical gibberish to try to convince our supervisors to restrict voting access. Ironically, their suggestions were shot down by the County Counsel as being against CA state law.

Now they are asking our elected officials to sign a bizarre manifesto of election demands from a national group called United Sovereign Americans (USA) U4F – United Sovereign Americans (USA) (unite4freedom.com), whose main purpose is not only to keep large numbers of Americans from voting, but to sow distrust and chaos in our elections , like the bonkers certification fight happening in Nevada, but EVERYWHERE. “And it threatens election officials, because it heightens the risk of political violence, (like that insurrection event in D.C) and it diverts their resources from administering elections to dealing with false allegations about the election system.”
You can learn more about these political operatives here: 

• How United Sovereign Americans is Radicalizing an Anti-Voting Movement – Democracy Docket
• Trump, allies are laying the groundwork to contest potential election loss | Reuters
• The 14 tactics deployed by election deniers

2024 Ventura County Public Comment Toolkit on Voting Rights

County Board of Supervisors – July 23 – The Ventura County Elections Division will have an item on the agenda to consolidate local elections (cities, school districts, and special districts) for the November General Election. This is normally a routine agenda item, but the RTVV folks will scuttle up to attack the Voter’s Choice Act and tag-team each other to get the USA manifesto read into the minutes. We need defenders of free and fair elections and the Voter’s Choice Act in Ventura County to show up and give public commentsor call in to the July 23rd BOS meeting to voice their support and help counter their claims.

Cities – They are also planning to attend the City Council meetings listed at the top to repeat their false claims and call for councils to pass resolutions in support of their demands. To speak in person, online, or over the phone at any of the meetings above, please visit: https://www.venturacog.org/cities-county/ to access each city’s website.

California Voter’s Choice Act (VCA)

“Established by Senate Bill 450 (2016), the California Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) modernizes elections in California by allowing counties to conduct elections under a model which provides greater flexibility and convenience for voters. This election model allows voters to choose how, when, and where to cast their ballot by:

• Mailing every voter a ballot
• Expanding in-person early voting
• Allowing voters to cast a ballot at any vote center within their county
• Providing secure ballot drop off locations throughout the county”
• See here for more information: https://www.sos.ca.gov/voters-choice-act

Attacks on the VCA & Why We Need YOUR Voice

Ventura County’s “election integrity” proponents have been aggressively calling for the county to implement measures to make it more difficult for people to vote, and to opt out of the CA Voter’s Choice Act (VCA). These attacks are promoting the “rigged election” narrative, that our election results cannot be trusted and that people should be up in arms about it – with no facts or evidence to support these claims. They’ve also been attacking Ventura County’s Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters, Michelle Ascencion, with charges that she has not been transparent about our election related processes, not responsive to the election denier’s demands, and implications that she is withholding or hiding information. 

The opposite is true. A great example of that is the four-part Election Education Series she provided to the Board of Supervisors. Details and recordings are available here: Ventura County, CA – County Clerk and Recorder / Registrar of Voters (countyofventura.org) But there is no satisfying these people, because their actual goal is voter suppression.

Instructions for Public Comment on Agenda Item #12 – July 23 meeting. 

We encourage community members to speak at the July 23 Board of Supervisors meeting. Voting rights are always critical, but especially so during an election year. We must make sure our county does nothing to make it more difficult for anyone who is legally able to vote to do so. If you cannot attend in person, please participate virtually via Zoom, or by emailing in a public comment. *Spanish and Mixteco interpretive services will be available.*

How can you participate, attend and provide public comment? Go here for instructions on how to make a public comment, to participate at the meeting in-person or through ZOOM, and to submit email or snail-mail comments. (Note: Emailed public comments are NOT read aloud during the meeting. An unredacted version is made available when records are requested by a Public Records Act Request. Please do not submit personal contact information that you do not want to be made public. )

SAMPLE TALKING POINTS

• Confidence: Speakers should express high confidence in the processes, security, and results of VC elections. 
• The California Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) has made voting safer and more accessible for eligible voters in our county.
• Claims being made locally about why our election process should not be trusted are parallel to similar claims in more than 50 lawsuits claiming election irregularities that were filed in state and federal courts after the 2020 election. All were dismissed and found to be without merit. 
• Increased Accessibility: The VCA has significantly increased accessibility by mailing every registered voter a ballot, allowing individuals to vote from the comfort of their homes. This move has been especially helpful for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, those with transportation needs, and those unable to make it to in-person voting locations due to work, childcare, caretaking and other responsibilities.
• Flexibility in Voting: The Act offers greater flexibility by expanding in-person early voting opportunities. This flexibility is beneficial for voters who might have unpredictable work schedules or other responsibilities on Election Day, allowing them to cast their votes at their convenience. More days and times are available for community members to drop off their ballots because of the VCA.
• Vote Centers’ Convenience: By permitting voters to cast their ballots at any vote center within their county, the VCA has removed the limitations associated with assigned polling places. This flexibility allows individuals to choose a location that’s most convenient for them, reducing travel barriers and long waiting times.
• Enhanced Security Measures:
  • The Act provides secure ballot drop-off locations throughout the county, ensuring that voters can safely and conveniently return their ballot without relying only on mail services. This feature bolsters the security of the voting process and instills confidence in the integrity of the election.
  • Vote By Mail security is already ensured by performing signature verification on every Vote By Mail return envelope.
  • Real-time voter activity updates ensure no one can vote multiple times.
  • No tabulators or ballot making devices are connected to the internet for cybersecurity
  • Only machines certified by the state can be used
  • Equipment is stored in secure areas and tested for accuracy before each election
  • At least two election workers transport ballots
  • Officials maintain a documented chain of custody
  • Unique barcodes on ballot return envelopes prevent duplicate voting and allow the voter to track their ballot
  • Voter registration lists are updated regularly as Elections is notified of deaths, new addresses or other changes
  • Mail ballot signatures are cross-checked against voter registration records. If a signature is missing or doesn’t match, the ballot is not counted until the signature is “cured.”
  • If someone not on the active voter roll tries to vote, they get a provisional ballot that must be verified before their ballot is counted. 
  • Voters can ensure that their mail ballot was received and counted by signing up for Where’s My Ballot at: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot
• Language and Accessibility Support: VCA’s implementation includes provisions for multi-language ballot materials and accessibility equipment at all vote centers, ensuring that voters from diverse backgrounds and those with disabilities have the necessary resources to participate fully in the electoral process and protects their right to participate equally in our democracy.
• Increased Voter Participation: By simplifying the voting process and making it more accessible, the VCA has helped in increasing voter turnout. This is crucial for ensuring that a broader spectrum of voices is heard and represented in the democratic process.
• Community Engagement and Education: The VCA has facilitated community engagement by providing opportunities for educational outreach about the changes in the voting process. This education encourages greater participation and understanding of the electoral system among our community members.
• Transparency and Accountability: The implementation of the Voter’s Choice Act has introduced measures that enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process. This transparency helps in fostering confidence among the electorate, ensuring that all eligible voters are able to cast their votes. Additionally, the Act’s provisions for security measures serve to further reassure voters about the reliability and fairness of the voting system, contributing significantly to increased trust and participation in the electoral process.
• Community-Centric Approach through Election Administration Plans (EAP): The VCA’s requirement for each participating county to develop an Election Administration Plan (EAP) ensured that the implementation of the Act was not a top-down imposition, but a collaborative process that involved extensive public input and public hearings.
  • This approach ensured that the needs, concerns, and suggestions of community members were actively considered and incorporated into the planning of elections. 
  • By actively involving the community in the decision-making process, the VCA demonstrated a commitment to responsiveness and inclusivity, thereby garnering support from diverse community stakeholders. 
  • This community-centric approach not only validated the Act’s initiatives but also helped tailor election procedures to better meet the specific needs of our county’s community members. 
  • The resulting Election Administration Plans reflected the diverse perspectives and needs of our county’s voters, thereby increasing confidence and support for democracy and Ventura County’s electoral process.

For more information, visit the Ventura County Registrar’s website: VenturaVote.org

SAMPLE EMAIL/PUBLIC COMMENT:

SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM: (To be determined)

Good Morning Ventura County Board of Supervisors,

1. Introduction of yourself & your point: My name is [first and last name- if comfortable] and I am a resident of [insert city if in VC] and a member of [name your organization if applicable/comfortable]. I am in support of ensuring legally eligible voters’ voting rights in Ventura County and applaud our county for its work in upholding the California Voter’s Choice Act.

2. Insert talking point here: “The CA VCA has significantly increased accessibility by mailing every registered voter a ballot, allowing individuals to vote from the comfort of their homes. This move has been especially helpful for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, those with transportation challenges, and those unable to make it to voting locations due to work, childcare, caretaking and other responsibilities.”

3. End your comments with a closing statement like: “The CA Voter’s Choice Act has provided countless benefits to our county by increasing accessibility for legally eligible voters to participate in our electoral system. Please take no action to make it more difficult for voters in Ventura County to cast their ballots.”

Thank you, [Name]

**Create your own public comment using any of the points above, as well as resources like:

• (democracydocket.com) How United Sovereign Americans is Radicalizing an Anti-Voting Movement
• (brennancenter.org) The Election Deniers’ Playbook for 2024
• (CA Sec. of State) California’s Voter’s Choice Act
• (League of Women Voters) Voter’s Choice Act Makes Voting Easier
• (protectdemocracy) A Democracy Crisis in the Making
• (futureofcaelections.org) Resource Summary: Voter’s Choice Act
• (aclu.org) How Donald Trump’s Election Lies and Other Anti-Voter Policies Will Continue to Impact Our Democracy
• (aclu.org) ACLU Releases Roadmap to Combat Voting Rights Threats Posed by a Second Trump Term
• (aclu.org) TRUMP ON VOTING RIGHTS – Threatening Representational Equality, Restricting Voting Access, and Undermining the Integrity of Elections
• (brennancenter.org) Threats and Intimidation Are Distorting U.S. Democracy – A new Brennan Center report documents rising abuse of elected officials
• (brennancenter.org) Debunking the Voter Fraud Myth
• (brennancenter.org) Frivolous Lawsuit Targets Maryland’s Voter Rolls and Voting Systems
• (newrepublic) How to Crack Down on Election Deniers? Make Them Pay. Literally. Not only is election denialism antidemocratic. It’s expensive—it cost at least half a billion dollars after 2020. The solution? Make the denialists pay. Here’s how.
• (ctvnews.ca) Crush of lawsuits over voting in multiple U.S. states creates a shadow war for the 2024 election.
• (Governing) Nearly Every Battleground State Is at Risk of Election Denialism Interfering in 2024
• (electiondeniers.org) The landscape of Election denial in America
• (American Oversight) THE ELECTION DENIAL MOVEMENT’S MISGUIDED PUSH TO HAND-COUNT BALLOTS

Local News: 

• Opposing sides square off at supes’ meeting over county election process | Elections | ojaivalleynews.com

California’s own election deniers

Click here to expand the section on any of these legislators.

National News: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EVmVVTdPQ0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EVmVVTdPQ0

• (cbsnews.com) Fears grow about election deniers’ influence after bizarre decision in Nevada race
• (theHill) Idaho governor announces executive order to tighten up voter registration rules