League of Women Voters Releases Statement on Superintendent Forum, Claims Lozano Didn't Sign Agreement

By the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara

The League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara is making public the Release Form [attached below] which all candidates are required to sign before participating in any Forums put on by the League. This form, which spells out the protocols to insure a fair and civil discussion, and which is standard for all League forums, was sent to both candidates for County Superintendent of Schools on April 27.

Christy Lozano, who would not sign the form, is claiming she was given only 45 minutes to sign it before the decision was made to cancel the May 12 Forum. That isn’t true. She was reminded of the need to sign the Release Form on May 9. Unless both candidates agree to Forum rules, the League cannot hold the forum, according to the League’s policies.

Lozano was told, “Our policies and procedures for our Candidate Forum, such as not providing the questions to be asked of each candidate in advance, and not allowing candidates to use excerpts of the recording of the Forum rather than using it in its entirety, are in accordance with national and state League of Women Voters policies and procedures. Please be assured that all candidates who participate in our Forums are required to abide by the same policies and procedures.”

Susan Salcido, incumbent Superintendent of Schools and Lozano’s opponent, did sign the Release Form and agreed to the League’s Forum rules.

On May 9, LWVSB Vice President for Voter Service Revae Moran sent an email message to both candidates reminding them to sign the candidate Release Form, scan it in, and send it back to her. She resent the Release Form to both of them and said she needed it before the Forum.

Christy Lozano then sent an email message to Moran expressing her concerns about the candidate release form. She cited two issues: (1) she wanted us to provide, in writing the League’s consent to allow her to use “any or all video from the “debate” (sic). She also did not want to abide by our requirement to not make reference to another candidate’s qualifications, character, or activities – either positively or negatively.”

In response, Moran clarified that the format for the Forum was not going to be a “debate” and noted that the format was what the League has used for many years. She also noted that the purpose of the Forum was for Lozano to talk about her qualifications and experience rather than her opponent’s and to focus on the actions she would take and the topics on which she would focus as County Superintendent of Schools.

Finally, Moran said the League would give Lozano permission to use the recording, but only on the condition that the recording be used in its entirety rather than extracting portions of it. That has also been the League’s long-standing policy.

On May 10, Lozano was given a deadline of May 11 at 10am to sign the Release Form or the Forum would be cancelled. She failed to respond.

May 12, 2022: County Superintendent Forum Cancelled After Lozano Refuses to Sign Release Form