How to Make Public Comment to City Council & Council Committees
There are two ways to make comment live during the meetings.
-
Submit a speaker card in person at City Hall – approach the clerk for a speaker card and fill out before the item is heard.
-
Submit an electronic speaker card to comment on Zoom:
-
Go to Legistar and find the meeting you would like to attend
-
Click the “e-comment” button to the far right
-
Complete the online registration to sign in to speak on a particular numbered item
-
Your name will be called when it is time for comments to be heard on that item
-
Raise your hand on Zoom and unmute yourself to give your comments
Live comments are the most impactful way to make your voice heard with city leadership. However, you can also send written comments to all Councilmembers at council@oaklandca.gov.
Observer Corps
The Observer Corps, the LWVO’s “watchdog” arm, has been following some of the 40+ Boards, Commissions, and Committees in Oakland city government for decades. Our presence at city meetings is a reminder to our leaders that we, the People, have a right to know what actions our government is taking. The League believes that this access is fundamental to our mission as well as to the health of our democracy.
In this election year, 2024, the Corps will be paying special attention to any ballot measures – such as Measure Z – that are up for renewal. In addition, the Corps will be keeping tabs on issues of continuing concern to the League and to the Oakland citizenry: good government, public finance, and the health and safety of our community.
​
See our latest blog for more information about the Corps.
Interested in volunteering with the Corps?
Democracy Dollars Update
Oakland voters approved the Fair Elections Act (FEA) in November 2022 to introduce Democracy Dollars to Oakland - an innovative approach to campaign finance reform. We are the second city in the country, after Seattle, Washington, to adopt this method of financing political campaigns with public money. Oakland’s charter-mandated Public Ethics Commission, which administers the prior and more limited current system of campaign finance, is responsible for implementation.
However, success at the ballot box is just the first step toward implementation. Given Oakland’s budget deficits, neither the Mayor nor the City Council identified sufficient resources to fully launch the FEA in the 2024 elections. Nonetheless, the Mayor’s budget included an allocation to begin preparations for full implementation in 2026.
​
See our latest blog for updates
​
What is Redistricting?
-
Redistricting is the process by which we draw lines around electoral districts, determining who votes in each district for city council and school board representatives.
-
Redistricting occurs every 10 years to account for changes revealed by census data. District lines are redrawn to ensure equal numbers of residents in each district.
​
Learn more about redistricting and how the Oakland League remains committed to this process.
