Protect participation and informed voting
Candidate evaluation, voter education, election protection and informed participation in the 2026 election cycle.
Feminist Priorities in Action
SBWPC’s adopted feminist positions guide public advocacy, legislative work, voter education and community organizing throughout Santa Barbara County.
Four pathways for public participation
Advance explicit equality
Public education and advocacy supporting recognition and enforcement of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Put positions on the public record
Track decisions, read SBWPC letters and use the organization’s public record to strengthen informed advocacy.
Build pathways to public office
Prepare women and feminist leaders for elected and appointed public leadership.
Eight current advocacy priorities
These priorities organize current advocacy without replacing SBWPC’s complete adopted policy positions. Open one issue at a time: review SBWPC’s position, the public bodies with decision-making authority and one clear action for each current advocacy priority.
Elections, Voting Rights and Democratic ParticipationProtect access to the ballot, reliable election administration, fair representation and meaningful political participation.
SBWPC Position
SBWPC supports broad, equitable voting access, accurate election information, accountable administration and public participation free from intimidation or discrimination.
Who Has Decision-Making Power
County election officials, California election authorities, legislators, courts and Congress—depending on the action.
One Clear Action
Use official voter information, support election protection and ask public officials to preserve equal access and transparent administration.
Immigration, Due Process and Civil LibertiesAdvance humane immigration policy, family unity, legal protection and community trust.
SBWPC Position
SBWPC supports comprehensive and compassionate reform, a path to citizenship, asylum protections, DACA and equal protection under law while opposing harassment, family separation and unlawful or inhumane detention.
Who Has Decision-Making Power
Congress, federal agencies, courts, California officials, local governments and law-enforcement policy bodies.
One Clear Action
Ask the relevant official to protect due process, family unity, legal access and transparent limits on enforcement collaboration.
Equal Rights Amendment and Constitutional EqualityMake equality regardless of sex an explicit and durable constitutional principle.
SBWPC Position
SBWPC supports recognition and enforcement of the Equal Rights Amendment and stronger legal protection against sex discrimination.
Who Has Decision-Making Power
Congress, federal executive institutions, courts and state officials involved in constitutional processes.
One Clear Action
Ask federal officials to state their ERA position and identify the concrete action they will take to advance constitutional equality.
Reproductive Justice and Equitable HealthcareProtect bodily autonomy and ensure comprehensive, affordable and nondiscriminatory healthcare throughout the life cycle.
SBWPC Position
SBWPC supports reproductive self-determination, universal access to quality healthcare, control over personal medical decisions and the elimination of discrimination in health policy and practice.
Who Has Decision-Making Power
Congress, federal and state health agencies, California officials, insurers, healthcare systems and local public-health bodies.
One Clear Action
Ask the responsible public body to protect access, privacy, affordability and equitable treatment while removing discriminatory barriers.
Childcare, Paid Leave and Women’s Economic SecurityTreat care as economic infrastructure and remove structural barriers to women’s employment, advancement and financial security.
SBWPC Position
SBWPC supports affordable, high-quality childcare and early education, fair compensation for care workers, pay equity, paid family leave and policies that strengthen family economic stability.
Who Has Decision-Making Power
Congress, California legislators and agencies, local governments, employers and public funding bodies.
One Clear Action
Ask for sustained public investment, fair compensation and measurable access goals for families and care workers.
Climate Action, Coastal Protection and Environmental JusticeProtect public health, communities and natural resources through accountable climate and environmental policy.
SBWPC Position
SBWPC supports a healthy and just environment, climate action, pollution prevention and meaningful community participation in decisions affecting land, water, air and public health.
Who Has Decision-Making Power
Federal and California environmental agencies, legislators, local land-use bodies, courts and public boards.
One Clear Action
Ask for transparent review, public-health safeguards, enforceable mitigation and meaningful participation before consequential decisions.
Freedom from Gender-Based Violence and Gun ViolenceAdvance prevention, survivor-centered services, accountable institutions and community safety.
SBWPC Position
SBWPC opposes interpersonal and sexual violence, trafficking, harassment, exploitation and gun violence while supporting prevention, culturally competent services and responsive justice systems.
Who Has Decision-Making Power
Congress, California legislators, courts, law enforcement, public-health agencies, schools, employers and local governments.
One Clear Action
Ask for survivor-centered policy, prevention funding, accountable enforcement and evidence-based public-safety measures.
Feminist Leadership and Representative Public PowerBuild a government that reflects community diversity and expands women’s access, voice and power.
SBWPC Position
SBWPC supports women and feminist leaders seeking elected and appointed office and works to remove institutional barriers to equal representation and opportunity.
Who Has Decision-Making Power
Voters, appointing authorities, elected bodies, political organizations, public boards and candidate-development institutions.
One Clear Action
Recruit a candidate, apply for an appointed role, support leadership training or join SBWPC’s candidate and appointments work.
Use official address-based tools
Identify who actually has public authority before contacting an office or sending an advocacy request.
- Find elected officialsUse the official USAGov directory to find federal, state and local elected officials.usa.gov (opens in a new tab)
- Find my state legislatorsEnter a California address to identify State Senate and Assembly representation.findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov (opens in a new tab)
- Find districts and officesUse the County’s official district and elected-official lookup for local representation.countyofsb.org (opens in a new tab)
- SBWPC Civic Action CenterAdditional tools for public participation and advocacy
Turn a priority into one clear request
Read the record, identify the decision-maker and participate
Use SBWPC’s public letters as a reference, contact the office with authority and connect with the committee work that sustains feminist advocacy.