Sunshine, smiles, and the vibrant buzz of community spirit filled the air as thousands of residents from around the Bay Area gathered for Solano Avenue’s annual Solano Stroll, Sunday, September 8th. Hundreds of booths and food trucks lined the streets, selling everything from soft-serve ice cream to hand-crafted jewelry. 

Also in attendance was The League of Women Voters Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville, with their own booth. Running the booth was a wide variety of League members, including several interns in the Helene Lecar Civic Engagement Program, and a number of volunteers. Their mission: provide the public with information on the upcoming election, help those wishing to register to vote, and answer any questions they may have.        

The overall reaction from the public was extremely positive. Many came and went, expressing their gratitude and happiness for having a place to find information and resources for their voting needs. “It’s really great to see you all here,” a passerby and long-time League supporter said with enthusiasm. “This is what we need more of!” 

The addition of having interns helped attract many younger visitors, something especially important this year. Because of the Vote 16 initiative, 16 and 17-year-olds living in Berkeley will now be able to vote in the upcoming school board election, and Albany 16 and 17-year-olds may soon enjoy the same right – and the ability to vote for City Council- if Measure V is approved by voters. Many eligible teens registered to vote with the League, which has supported Vote 16, as they were enthusiastically welcomed  by others their same age.  

In all, the event was a huge success, bringing in many new people, young and older, to become members of the League and register to vote. 

-Isabelle Oppelt