News

2012 will be an important year for OC pro-choice women because the election rules have changed and there is great uncertainty in a highly polarized political climate.  Redistricting may make some previously “safe” districts more competitive while creating new voting districts in other areas.  The new primary system resulting from the passage last year of Proposition 14 causes particular interest and concern.  Called the top two open primary, all candidates from all parties will run in a single primary.  Unless one candidate wins a majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will be in a runoff in November (or earlier in special elections).  The argument favoring this voting system is the expectation that it will result in more moderate candidates.  However, analysis of voting trends in other states using a similar system indicates that more extreme candidates often come in first or second.  WIL’s goal is to identify viable candidates, both Republican and Democrat, who will work to protect and strengthen women’s reproductive rights.

By Lorraine Prinsky, PhD

WIL Members Elmire Budak, Cigdem Karadayi and
Marsha Baker enjoy hearing Laura Chick speak

Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens spoke to WIL in March, 2011 and
made us incredibly proud that she is our Sheriff

WIL Chair Karen Clark with Rep. Loretta Sanchez at WIL's Rally on the Roof in the fall of 2010

Beth Krom, recipient of the 2011 Spirit of WIL Award

U. S. Treasurer Rosie Rios spoke to a WIL lunch in April, 2011 and we learned about her amazing life and what it's like to be one of the very few women in the Treasury Department

In May, the WIL lunch was at Zov's Bistro and Zov told her the wonderful story of her very successful career as a chef and restaurateur