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Date: 11/2/2020
Subject: The VOTER Newsletter - November 2020
From: LWV of Johnson County




Election Day Strategies
 
☑️  Remember to vote if you haven't already 
☑️  Remind and support friends and family who have not yet voted
☑️  Be patient, as election officials process this historic turnout
☑️  Use your mail ballot to vote. You can drop it off at any polling place or drop box in the county, even on Nov. 3.  

“Patience” Must Rule All Voting Results

Our U.S. democratic transfer of governmental power depends on full, accurate voting counts. In 2020, don’t expect fast “Election Night Results.” It’ll take days, or longer, to tally the thousands of mail ballots and paper provisional ballots. Also, some results may be challenged, perhaps ending up in court. Be patient. The system works when it takes the time needed for a full, accurate count. Tell your friends and family: Patience rules.
Our democracy is worth waiting for.
 

 
How is our community fighting climate change?
 Are our elected officials enacting environmentally sustainable policies?
What more should we be doing?
 
Join us for a conversation about how we create both agency and action to implement equitable, long-lasting solutions for all people in our community. 
 
 Featured speakers:
Mike Kelly, Roeland Park mayor and co-founder of Climate Action KC
Kechia Smith, programs director, Bridging the Gap
Julie Sayers, Lenexa City Council member
 
Moderator: Kyle Palmer, editor, Shawnee Mission Post
 
Registration required. Free and open to the public.
 

 
GOTV: Leaguers Again Go The Extra Mile

 

Our #1 JoCo priority this year? Get Out The Vote (GOTV)!  In September, we listed where our Leaguers set records (October VOTER, "Members Sign Up, Pitch In") In October, even more laced up their running shoes and helped voters.  


The GOTV score since March? 

🗳️ Two Souls to the Polls Car Caravans in which 100+ people drove 140 cars through low-turnout Wyandotte County precincts having 7,135 registered voters.

🗳️ 162 volunteers staffed 26 voter registration events at colleges, high schools, YMCAs and farmers markets.

🗳️ 420 unregistered youth ages 18-23 in Johnson County received handwritten postcards three different times in October, urging them to register, then to vote.

🗳️ Over 4000 “Raise your Voice: Vote!” posters, Spanish-language door hangers, flyers and cards were distributed at libraries, businesses and schools/colleges in Johnson and Wyandotte counties.

🗳️ Voter2Voter’s19 ambassadors contacted 273 would-be voters. 43% are low propensity; half of that group requested mail in ballots. There are seven V2V League teams across Kansas.

🗳️ Three candidate forums co-sponsored by the Mainstream Coalition and other partners drew 272 participants at the live events. Afterwards, LWVJoCo’s YouTube channel had nearly 400 views.

🗳️ Thirteen national and local print and TV/radio media mentions, articles or interviews of Souls to the Polls and/or LWVJoCo GOTV efforts, including CNN’s interview of Ann Sanders.

🗳️ More than 27,000 people saw our pro-voting Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posts in October alone.

🗳️ 66 volunteers worked 500 hours at the Johnson County Election Office helping them process thousands of mail-in ballots.

🗳️ LWVJoCo collaborated with many partners, including the Johnson County Latina Leadership Network, Advocacy and Awareness Group: Johnson County, ACLU Kansas, DotteVotes, Mainstream Coalition, NE Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, Baptist Minister’s Union, Collaborative Communications, Kansas City (KS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., KCK NAACP Branch and Servicing LIPPS.
 

In 2020, with many partners, we’ve helped voters on new frontiers. Yes, there were rough spots; learning to use Zoom wasn’t simple. But during the past seven months, our members have donated hundreds of hours to protect each voter’s constitutional right to cast a ballot.  


Regardless of who wins or loses, we played a small role in the largest voter turnout in American history. Leaguers, thank you for moving our voter commitment to a new level!


Amber Stenger and Ellen Miller, Co-Presidents





“Making Spirits Bright” Holiday Party


Back by popular demand! Register now for our 2020 holiday party, “Making Spirits Bright!”

Join other members for fun and inspiration on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6:00 p.m.


🎇  Get recharged.

🎇  Meet Leaguers in small groups.

🎇  Match wits on civics questions.

🎇  Ask questions at any time.

🎇  Win prizes including a Rainy Day Books gift card, suffragist dolls and food goodies.

Come as you are, whether it’s jammies or dress up. Grab your own beverage or snack, and then Zoom in. 

Register here

 You’ll get your notification when you register and a reminder the day before.



Illustrating Equality vs Equity

 

The terms “equality” and “equity” have been used in public policy and special interest groups to describe access to resources. The terms, however, are not interchangeable. Let’s explore the differences. 

Equality is about giving everyone the same resources while equity takes into consideration the differences of individuals and the resources one needs to be successful. Equity is about fairness in a sense of leveling out the playing field so those with a disadvantage have the same opportunities to be successful. 

Photo courtesy of Interaction Institute for Social Change | Artist: Angus Maguire. 

interactioninstitute.org and madewithangus.com

The League of Women Voters continues to prioritize Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy in every aspect of the League being mindful of the advantages and disadvantages one faces to ensure every person has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Written by Connie Taylor


 

Your Needs Matter

Member opinions rule. In September, we asked “How can we meet your needs in 2020-21?” Thanks to the 47 members who responded (12% of our 384 members).


The top rankings? Getting information about state and local public policy issues. State issues included redistricting and Medicaid expansion (100%). Local issues (93%) included the 2021 Johnson County Charter Commission and school board decisions.   

Other high rankings:

  • Concerning future League participation, nearly half chose “Home alone” activities; 17% selected going “out and about” in the community.

  • Nearly two-thirds prefer educational/informative League events, not purely social.

  • Training for using our new website or participating in Zoom meetings was important for under 10%.

  • Small group virtual meetings, e-blasts and the monthly VOTER got high votes for keeping members involved.

Your next major member input opportunity? Our January Planning Session on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 9 a.m. “Two-Way Q&A” will start with your questions for the board. Then we’ll use small breakout rooms to discuss two or three questions from the board.  Don’t miss out -- update your calendar today!

Member Spotlight: Jill Quigley
 
A former state legislator found answers and more in LWVJoCo. Learn more about Jill.

Happy Happy Birthday!!
 
Lifetime Member Jean Hiersteiner, born the same year women won the right to vote, has been an integral part of the League’s work for more than 60 years. She, along with her husband Walter, established the Walter and Jean Hiersteiner Early Childhood Development Center at JCCC.
 
Happy Centennial Birthday, Jean, and thank you for all of your hard work!

Phyllis Sullivan

Rebecca Cohenour

Elise Kammeyer

Richard Pund

Cindy Showalter

Laura Stadler-Tobaben


Our friends at Harvesters are in desperate need of VOLUNTEERS!

🌾  Harvesters' operations and needs have been significantly impacted by COVID-19. Right now 1 in 6 people in our region  including 1 in 4 children  are food insecure.
🌾  If you, individually or with a social or work group, have a couple of hours to spare, please visit their website to sign up: https://buff.ly/2DmSKMt
🌾  They are also accepting monetary donations.

Observer Reports


Catch up on the actions, decisions and proposals of our local public officials. 

 

🔎 County election board is busy preparing for a tsunami of mail-in ballots.

🔎 County Mental Health Commission is trying to keep up with added demand due to COVID-19.

🔎 Quote from a BOCC member: “What we say matters.”

 

 Read the latest summaries by League members who attend several public meetings in our area.


Board and Committee Briefs
 

✅  Nearly 100 people attended our October event, "Voting Protections & Election Security," which featured a rock-star panel adeptly moderated by member Janet Milkovich. If you didn't get a chance to join us, watch the recording on YouTube. It is well worth your time. 

✅  LWVJoCo continues its DEI journey. We're building the team charged with leading this transformational effort in 2021. If you are interested in helping with this initiative, please email contactus@lwvjoco.org

✅  The League still needs several people to help lead the organization at the state level: treasurer, development/fundraising chair and nominating committee chair. Email Jacqueline Lightcap jacquie@lwvk.org if you are interested in finding out more about these positions.  

✅  Stay current on the news from the state League. Read LWVK's monthly newsletter.

✅  LWVJoCo in the news: Check out our letter to the editor and this editorial in the Kansas City Star.


Stay Connected

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Keep current on developments through our Facebook page.
Find out more about what the Kansas League is doing.
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