Dr. Weber Advocates for Lifelong Civic Engagement

On June 12, California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber engaged in a panel discussion at the Public Policy Institute of California’s (PPIC) 2025 Speaker Series in Sacramento, focusing on enhancing civic education and engagement statewide. By June 14, she launched her 2026 re-election campaign in San Diego amid a troubling national atmosphere marked by the tragic murders of two Minnesota state officials and rising protests nationwide. Addressing her audience, Weber expressed, “My heart is very heavy this morning,” reflecting on the persistent challenges of political violence. During her remarks, she reiterated themes from the PPIC event, emphasizing a generational failure in civic knowledge among adults. A concerning 11% of California K–12 schools prioritize civic engagement, especially acute in low-income regions, noted Justice McConnell. During the San Diego launch, former Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins passionately endorsed Weber’s campaign as a defense of democracy. Acknowledging her own family's sacrifices for voting rights, Weber reaffirmed her commitment to protecting democratic values, announcing a year-long initiative celebrating the Voting Rights Act of 1965. “This is our life,” she asserted, promoting a continuous fight for voting access and civic empowerment.