Hello ~~first_name~~:
There is a lot going on over the coming weeks, including information sessions on anti-voting legislation, fair maps advocacy, candidates running for the JCCC Board of Trustees, and much, much more. Don't miss out!
| Census Data and Fair Maps
The U.S. Census Bureau released new census data last Thursday, and map drawing begins in full force. The League (local, state and national) is pushing for transparency and public participation in this process.
The Kansas Legislative Redistricting Committees held a Listening Tour on the topic last week, and many League members participated. We appreciate them! We also appreciate our People Powered Fair Maps team leader, Connie Taylor, who was featured on KSHB 41 News clip about the town halls.
While the Listening Tour is over, there is still much you can do. Visit our Redistricting 101 in Kansas page now for ideas. You can also read more on how partisan gerrymandering impacts our democracy here. | | | Now Virtual: How Should We Elect Our Next President?
Join us as we delve into the benefits and disadvantages of the Electoral College, the National Popular Vote, ranked choice voting and the impact of newly released census numbers on redistricting.
Panelists include Dr. Paul Schumaker, professor emeritus, political science, the University of Kansas, and Dr. Burdett Loomis, professor emeritus, social and behavioral sciences-political science, the University of Kansas.
Moderator: Dr. Andrea Vieux, assistant professor, political science, Johnson County Community College
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021
9-10:30 a.m.: Panel discussion followed by Q&A
10:30-11 a.m.: Redistricting workshop on community mapping
| | | The Status of Anti-Voting Legislation in KS and MO
Voter suppression is a critical issue in this country, and in our region in particular.
Join the Women's Equality Coalition for an online discussion of voter suppression in Kansas and Missouri. Speakers include League of Women Voters Kansas co-presidents Jacqueline Lightcap and Martha Pint.
Friday, Aug. 27
12 - 1 p.m.
RSVP to womenvotenow334@gmail.com to receive the event link. | | | | August 18 is the anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The Amendment was a key step forward, but it is also important to note that it was incomplete in that only white women benefitted. Native American women were not declared citizens until the passage of the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act, which still excluded many living on reservations. Black women were not allowed to vote until after the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The 1975 extension to the Voting Rights Act provided more voter protection for "language minorities" - Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans and Native Americans. | | | Stay Engaged
2021 JCCC Board of Trustees Forum
Join us Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. for the JCCC Board of Trustees Forum. This public event is co-sponsored by the JCCC Faculty Association and our League. All candidates have been invited. You will be able to submit questions after you have registered. Register here.
Help Get Voters Registered!
A new law in Kansas prevents the League from registering voters - one of our core activities. The state League has filed a lawsuit against the law, but we are still waiting for a court ruling. That's why it's even more important now that you reach out to friends and family to ensure they are registered to vote. Voter to Voter is a program that encourages voter registration through volunteer ambassadors' personal networks. Please consider becoming a Voter to Voter ambassador today. Learn more here, and direct any questions to Spencer Smith at spencercatherine616@gmail.com.
No Summer Social
We were so excited to see many of you in person this month! However, after careful consideration of recent pandemic developments, we have decided to postpone the Summer Social indefinitely. Stay tuned for future updates. We will get together again someday.
Vote411.org
Our online voter information guide, Vote411.org, is now updated with candidate information for Johnson and Wyandotte counties. Please refer family and friends to this nonpartisan resource.
The U.S. League on S1
The Senate failed to advance the For the People Act (S1) before recess. Dr Deborah Turner, the U.S. League's board president, issued a statement calling for the Senate to make it the top priority when the Senate returns. Read the full release here.
ICYMI: Mis- and Disinformation
Mis- and disinformation are two insidious tools used to undermine our democracy. This July blog from the national League offers tricks to help you spot them and tips to stop them.
SXSW 2022
The National LWV is in the running to host two panels at the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference in 2022! The first, "Women Power Democracy," submitted in partnership with Supermajority Education Fund, Black Voters Matter and League of United Latin American Citizens, covers the intersection of gender and race in the voting rights movement. The second, "Voting Rights: Brand Taking a Stand," submitted in partnership with Patagonia and Seventh Generation, discusses the role brands play in standing up for voting rights and encouraging citizen engagement. Vote for "Women Power Democracy" here, and "Voting Rights: Brand Taking a Stand" here.
New membership options
In our efforts to make our League more inclusive, we now offer free student memberships and a limited number of sponsored memberships. A student is defined as anyone at least 16 years old who is registered full- or part-time in a Kansas area academic institution. Students who take advantage of the free membership are expected to participate in Voter to Voter, an initiative to get out the vote. Students can sign up here. Non-students who are interested in a sponsored membership can contact us at membership@lwvjoco.org.
Volunteers Needed at the Kansas State Fair
We are still looking for volunteers to work the LWV of Kansas Centennial Celebration booth at the Kansas State Fair on Saturday, Sept. 11. Consider representing our League while enjoying all that the state fair has to offer! Sign up here or contact Janice Walker at janicew49@hotmail.com.
| |