October Meeting

Sunday, October 18 @ 2:30 PM
Peninsula Center Library Community Room & Zoom

President’s Report

By Tim Dixon
President, Palos Verdes Democrats

By now, we have received our mail-in ballots, early voting centers are opening, and the deadline to cast our ballots in the November 3 election is rapidly approaching.

The time to act is now! Please make a plan to vote, return your ballot, and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same!

We strongly encourage you to return your completed mail-in ballot as soon as possible. Official ballot drop boxes are conveniently located at City Hall in each of the four cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula—Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates. These drop boxes provide a convenient and secure way to return your ballot without relying on the mail.

Nearly two years ago, when Donald Trump was reelected and Republicans gained control of both houses of Congress, I feared the damage they could inflict on our country. But I never imagined the magnitude of what we would experience—or the relentless, almost daily outrages coming from this administration.

Trump promised to reduce inflation, make life more affordable for American families, reduce the prices of food, gas, and energy by 50 percent on day one, and keep us out of endless foreign wars. Instead, Americans continue to struggle with the cost of living, his tariffs have imposed additional costs on consumers and businesses, and our country has become embroiled in another war in Iran.

The gap between Trump’s promises and his actions could hardly be greater.

And what makes this situation even more dangerous is the shameful failure of Republicans in Congress to exercise their constitutional responsibilities. With only a handful of exceptions, they have refused to provide meaningful oversight of an administration plagued by abuses of power, attacks on democratic institutions, and increasingly authoritarian behavior.

Instead of defending the Constitution, they have chosen to defend Donald Trump.

Our Founding Fathers established three coequal branches of government for a reason. They understood that no president should be allowed to exercise unchecked power. Yet the Republican-controlled Congress has repeatedly failed to serve as the independent check our democracy requires.

That is why the November 3 election is so critically important.

We have an opportunity to elect a Democratic Congress that will challenge this administration, investigate abuses of power, and restore meaningful checks and balances. A Democratic Congress could use its constitutional authority to challenge the war in Iran, move to end Trump’s damaging tariffs, and exercise the power of the purse to impose accountability and fundamentally change the inhumane and dangerous immigration enforcement practices of ICE.

Donald Trump would still occupy the White House. But with a Democratic Congress, we would be living in a very different political world.

And while the battle for Congress is critically important, we must not overlook the many consequential statewide and local elections. Here on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and throughout California, we have outstanding Democratic candidates who deserve our support. Please review the list of Palos Verdes Democrats’ endorsed candidates included in this newsletter and support them with your vote.

For nearly two years, we have protested, marched, attended rallies, written letters, made phone calls, and knocked on doors. We have refused to remain silent.

Now we have an opportunity to turn that determination into the most powerful force in a democracy: OUR VOTES!

Please don’t leave anything to chance. Make your plan to vote. Return your ballot as soon as possible. And reach out to your family, friends, and neighbors to make sure they vote, too.

Let’s finish the job. Let’s elect a Democratic Congress, support our endorsed candidates, and demonstrate that our democracy is stronger than any one man!

From the Activism Chair

By Caryl Schwartz, Activism Chair

A month before the Midterms, the Trump Regime is escalating attacks on free and fair elections. Trump's plan to rig the election through gerrymandering probably will not deliver what he hoped. His plot to collect voter data and boot voters off the rolls has failed in court after court. And even his vendetta against mail-in voting has been blocked.  He is hoping to intimidate voters, but I think this may backfire too.  I have noticed a strong resolve by voters to vote early, volunteer, and engage with their personal sphere of influence to Get Out the Vote.  Your voices matter, and your work reaching out to voters is critical. 

Republicans currently in power support the Big Lie and other false narratives. Voter suppression is the only method they have to hold onto majorities in the Midterms. DHS has circulated a list of jurisdictions providing multilingual voting materials along with DOJ guidance for prosecuting election crimes. The possible use of immigration or criminal enforcement against these communities is meant to intimidate eligible voters and discourage them from voting; early voting will make those attempts more difficult.   Voters strongly oppose sending ICE agents and the National Guard to the polls.  Federal law generally bars troops or armed men at a place where a general or special election is being held.   

Congressional Democratic leaders filed a lawsuit on September 24th aiming to prevent the Trump administration from following through on statements that they are considering sending armed federal agents to polling places in November.  Trump’s aggressiveness against fair elections reflects upon his failed policies, corruption, and weakness rather than his strength. 

Let’s hear it for the BLUE TSUNAMI! 

Call to Action

By Caryl Schwartz, Activism Chair

Voter Outreach via both canvassing and phone banking will be critical to winning the upcoming Midterm Elections. PV Dems community must ramp up our efforts to elect Democrats in local and Federal races. To fight the authoritarian, corrupt Regime and eliminate ICE abuses, we MUST flip the House and Senate. 

I invite you to join me at my home to phonebank every Thursday 2:30- 4:30 and Sunday 3PM - 5 pm. If those times don’t work for you, we can pick a convenient day for you. There are phone banking opportunities every day. 

Please reach out to me 310 897 0219 or pvcaryl@verizon.net 

IN-PERSON EVENT 

PV DEMS: Canvas for Derek Tran October 10th  Garden Grove, CA  9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/1030827/ 

Phone Banks Links: 

Call for Change: Every Sunday 3:00 - 5:00 PM multiple candidates to choose, good training & support  https://www.mobilize.us/call4change/event/816062/ 

Alaska:  Elect Mary Peltola 6:30 PM - 8 PM PST Wednesdays
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/1015873/ 

Ohio: Elect Sherrod Brown US Senate, Amy Acton Governor Statewide Elections 
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 3:00 - 5:00 PM Saturdays, Sundays and various times
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/1000592/ 

North Carolina: Roy Cooper Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
https://www.mobilize.us/ncdems/event/598615/ 

Wisconsin: Thursdays 3:00 -5 :00 PM Saturdays and Sundays 10 am-noon, noon -2: 00 PM, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 
https://www.wisdems.org/call
https://www.mobilize.us/wisdems/event/940771/ 

Michigan: for Abdul El Sayed! 
Wednesdays 5:30-7:30 ET/2:30-4:30 PT 
 https://mobilize.us/s/lOpRE6 

California: After redistricting, two California Congressional seats are considered toss-ups; please consider volunteering or financially supporting.  

CA 22: Democrat Randy Villegas http://www.villegasforcongress.com 

CA 48: Marni Von Wilpert http://www.marnivonwilpert.com 

Phone Banks Links: https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/887949/ 

Phonebanks: Battleground States: https://www.mobilize.us/call4change/ Sundays 3:00-5:00 PM PST   

Swing Left Phonebanks: 

• Sundays: PA State Senate phone bank- Flip the State Senate 4-6pm ET  

• Tuesdays: ME Dialing for Democracy in Maine 6-8pm ET

•  Wednesdays: NC Calling for Roy Cooper and Justice Anita Earls 6-8pm ET 

• Thursdays: PA Ground Truth-- calling for Bob Brooks- 6-8pm ET 

Battleground Congressional Races: https://www.mobilize.us/?event_type=2&q=Ground truth 

Senate Races: Alito and Thomas are getting old. If Republicans lose Senate control in the midterm elections, they lose their ability to confirm another Trump-appointed justice to the Supreme Court. Every Senate seat we win now is a six-year investment. Between 2027 and the end of Trump’s term, a Democratic Senate could block additional dangerous judicial and executive nominees.   

Senate Campaigns to Support: Please visit websites to volunteer or contribute financially.   

Contribute to all races with a single donation https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sl-balance-of-power-2026 

• Re-elect Jon Ossoff, Georgia https://electjon.com/ 

• James Talarico for Texas Senate https://jamestalarico.com/ 

• Sherrod Brown for Ohio Senate https://www.sherrodbrown.com/ 

• Chris Pappas for New Hampshire Senate https://chrispappas.org/ 

• Mary Pelota for Alaska Senate https://marypeltola.com/ 

• Roy Cooper for North Carolina Senate https://roycooper.com/ 

• Josh Turek for Iowa https://turek4iowa.com/ 

• Annie Andrews for South Carolina https://drannieandrews.com/ 

• Troy Jackson, Maine https://www.jacksonformaine.com/ 

• Abdul El Sayed, Michigan https://abdulforsenate.com/ 

• Angie Nixon, Florida https://angienixon.com/meet-angie/ 

Why Governors’ Races Matter  

Victory in Gubernatorial races is critical in opposing Donald Trump’s agenda. Governors wield executive authority to block federal policies and safeguard state-level systems. We have witnessed Governors directing state attorneys general to coordinate multi-state lawsuits to halt Trump’s executive overreach. Democratic Governors in battleground states can veto restrictive voting laws passed by conservative state legislatures, ensuring that ballot access remains protected. 

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sl-states-2026?akid=2358.1005342.85_IQI&rd=1&refcode=e 

Immigrant Assistance 

• You can download a printable sheet that outlines what to do if ICE comes to the door here. These can also be ordered as “red cards”.   

• Here’s a sheet that explains how to identify ICE vehicles and what to do if you see them.    

• Here are more ways to help immigrants.  

• South Bay for All – Raising rental aid for immigrant neighbors and helping them run their businesses safely from home. Instagram | southbayforall@gmail.com  

• Gardena Guardians – Standing in solidarity with Gardena's immigrant community, providing resources and advocacy. Instagram  

• HILL – Supporting day laborers and immigrant families. Instagram | hillresponseteam@gmail.com  

• Harbor Area Peace Patrols – A collective of concerned Harbor residents patrolling neighborhoods to defend neighbors from ICE/DHS, sharing Know Your Rights information. Instagram  

• CHIRLA – A California leader advocating for immigrant rights since 1986, building a just society inclusive of immigrants. Website Please donate to our CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights - Los Angeles) fundraiser. Money raised will help this highly-regarded non-profit to help inform immigrants of their legal rights. We have raised just over half of our $5,000 goal.  

• CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice) – Mobilizing the faith community to stand with workers and families for dignity and justice. Website  

• Immigrant Defenders Law Center – A social justice law firm defending immigrant communities from injustices in the immigration system. Website  

• Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) – Training advocates, shaping policy, and empowering immigrants through civic engagement and Know Your Rights tools. Website  

For additional Activism options and opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me @pvcaryl@verizon.net or 310-897-0219.  

Thank-you,
Caryl Schwartz
Activism Chair 

Campaign Donations

By Paul Klose, Board Treasurer

In September, the club board voted to significantly use our accumulated savings to donate to various local, state, and federal candidates to help Democrats win during this important and pivotal election year, with a focus on close and strategic races and state/local candidates endorsed by CADEM or by our club. 

Here is a list of campaigns that we sent checks out to: 

PACs (Total $1,000) 

$1,000 - Blue Momentum PAC, run by Ted Lieu, supports congressional candidates running in strategic, competitive, or swing districts. 

Candidates for US Senate (Total $6,000) 

$1,000 – Ohio - Sherrod Brown 
$1,000 – Maine – Troy Jackson 
$1,000 – Iowa – Josh Turek 
$1,000 – Michigan – Abdul El-Sayed 
$1,000 – Alaska – Mary Peltola 
$500 – Texas – James Talarico 
$500 – Georgia – Jon Ossoff 

Candidates for Governor (Total $2,750) 

$500 – Georgia - Keisha Lance Bottoms 
$500 – Ohio – Amy Acton 
$500 – Nevada – Aaron Ford 
$500 – Wisconsin – David Crowley 
$250 – Iowa – Rob Sand 
$250 – Michigan – Jocelyn Benson 
$250 – Texas – Gina Hinojosa 

Candidates for California State Office (Total $550) 

$275 – Assembly District 68 – Paul Seo 
$275 – Insurance Commissioner – Ben Allen 

Candidates for Local Offices (Total $700) 

$175 – RPV City Council – David Chura 
$175 – PVPUSD – Allyson Lehrer 
$175 – PV Library District – Beth Whittenbury 
$175 – PV Library District - Mary Villa-Lathrop (pending her establishing an independent campaign account) 

After this spend, we prudently maintained a balance slightly greater than the club’s yearly operating expenses, which are roughly $4,000 a year. If you haven’t renewed your membership or joined our club yet, now would be a good time, as it would help to replenish our account to make us strong for our next battle. 

Ballot Drop Boxes Locations and General Information

The Democrat Party HIGLY recommends that you drop off your ballot in a designed ballot drop box, instead of mailing them.  

Click here for the nearest location of a drop box - https://locator.lavote.gov/locations/vbm?culture=en  

About the Vote by Mail Drop Box Program 

The Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box program started in 2017 as an initiative to provide voters with a secure alternative option to return their ballot. 

Ballot Drop Boxes provide voters with a safe, accessible, and contact free method to return their voted ballot. 

What You Need to Know 

• Drop Boxes are available to voters beginning 29 days before and on Election Day 

• Drop Boxes close at 8 PM on Election Day 

• Drop Boxes are bolted securely into cement or chained in place 

• Drop Boxes are designed with security features identified in state regulations 

• Drop Boxes have an exterior coating to reduce permanent graffiti or damage 

• Ballots are picked up regularly by two Election Workers 

• The County works with law enforcement agencies, cities, local stakeholders, and community-based organizations to monitor and safeguard all boxes 

Ballot Return Checklist 

Before you drop off your Vote by Mail ballot make sure: 

• Place your voted ballot card(s) inside the Official Return Envelope 

• Securely seal the Official Return Envelope 

• Sign and date the back of the Official Return Envelope 

How to Check if Your Ballot was Received and Counted 

After returning your voted ballot via Drop Box or by mail you can check your ballot to make sure it was received and tallied through our Vote by Mail Status Tool. 

Report an Issue with a Ballot Drop Box 

It is our mission to uphold the integrity of all elections in a transparent and accessible manner. If you see something that looks suspicious, report it! 

Source - https://www.lavote.gov/home/voting-elections/voting-options/vote-by-mail/vbm-ballot-drop-off 

LACDP September MEETING RECAP

By Jon Munoz, PV Democrats LACDP Associate

The LACDP meeting was held on Tuesday September 8th via ZOOM. The focus of the meeting was on ratifying the Endorsement Committee recommendations for the November election. Several items on the Consent Calendar were pulled so the recommendations could be reconsidered. This caused the meeting to be continued on Wednesday September 16th . To note – none of the items pulled had to do with AD66, so all AD66 recommendations were approved by LACDP voters. We have provided a list of all endorsements for local races and the LACDP recommendations for statewide races and ballot measures as part of the Endorsement article just below in this month’s newsletter.

Endorsements

2026 General Election Endorsements & Ballot Measure Positions

August 2, 2026

State & County Offices

Governor: Xavier Becerra | Lieutenant Governor: Fiona Ma | Attorney General: Rob Bonta | Secretary of State: Shirley Weber | Controller: Malia Cohen | Treasurer: Eleni Kounalakis | Insurance Commissioner: Ben Allen | Superintendent of Public Instruction: Richard Barrera | Board of Equalization District 1: Nelson Esparza |Board of Equalization District 2: Sally Lieber |Board of Equalization District 3: Mike Gipson | Board of Equalization District 4: Tom Umberg

Propositions

Proposition 1: YES | Proposition 2: YES | Proposition 3: YES | Proposition 4: YES
Proposition 5: YES | Proposition 37: YES | Proposition 38: YES | Proposition 39: NO
Proposition 40: YES | Proposition 41: NO | Proposition 42: NO | Proposition 43: NO
Proposition 44: NO | Proposition 45: NO