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Date: 9/28/2021
Subject: The VOTER Newsletter - October 2021
From: LWV of Johnson County




 
Meetings will be held via Zoom for the remainder of 2021.
 
The national debate about Critical Race Theory (CRT) has come to Kansas. State legislators, local school board members and area higher education officials are currently fielding questions about what is and isn’t taught in Kansas classrooms. Join us to learn more about CRT and how confusion about the issue could affect the education our kids receive.

Panelists:
Mara Rose Williams, reporter, Kansas City Star
Tyler Curtis, chief development officer, United Methodist Foundation

Moderator:
Linnaia McKenzie, president, Advocacy and Awareness Group of Johnson County
 

IF IT ISN’T BROKEN, DON’T FIX IT

Sometimes, it is precisely because something is working that we don’t notice it.

That’s definitely the case with Johnson County’s Home Rule Charter. Voters enacted the charter, which defines how our county government operates, in 2000. Every 10 years, 25 community members are appointed to review the charter and decide whether we need to make changes in the form of amendments. (Read more about the statutes behind home rule in Kansas here.)

A few weeks ago, I attended the first public hearing of the 2021 Charter Commission at KU’s Edwards campus. It was canceled because several of the dozens of people who showed up didn’t want to abide by KU’s mask or social distance policies. My focus was preserving one pillar of the charter: Keeping county commissioner races nonpartisan. In 2000 and in 2010, charter commission members considered proposals to make county commissioner races partisan. LWVJoCo leadership thought it was important to remind the commission of how our current nonpartisan system benefits our community:

  • This system better reflects the growing number of independent voters. As of August 2021, 26% of all registered voters in Johnson County are unaffiliated with a political party.

  • Candidates must declare their own positions on pressing local issues instead of relying on party planks. 

  • Races are less polarizing outside the party framework, focusing more on the ability and positions of the candidates than preconceived notions based on party affiliations.

  • It fosters a more collaborative environment among elected officials. Collaboration in the public space leads to more efficiency, productivity and innovation, especially at the local level.

We’re watching

As you know, the League serves an important watchdog role for local governing bodies. We have two members, Eileen Marshall and Alleen VanBebber, who are doing an incredible job following the work of the commission closely for our community. They’ve been attending all of the commission meetings, keeping me and Vice President Janet Milkovich apprised of likely issues of concern and posting updates for members. (See “Observer Reports,” starting in April.) 

Right now, we’re watching. But know that, if and when the time comes, League members will mobilize to keep these all-important county commission races nonpartisan. 

Amber Stenger

President

913-620-5172 | jocoleague@gmail.com


 

What You Need to Know About the Charter Commission

What is the Home Rule Charter?

Kansas is a “home rule” state. County Commissioners govern their counties as they see fit, unless their decisions conflict with the Constitution (Kansas or federal) or a Kansas statute. Home rule applies to all counties, but the State Legislature has declared that two, Johnson and Sedgwick, are “urban areas” that may choose to have a written Charter with certain authorities and limits (KSA 19-2654 and KSA 19-2680).  A Home Rule Charter is a legislative document that defines the structure, powers, purpose, and functions of a county government. The Johnson County Home Rule Charter was enacted by public vote during the November 2000 general election.

What is the Charter Commission?

The Johnson County Home Rule Charter requires that a group of 25 Johnson County citizens, called the Charter Commission, review the charter every 10 years. The members are appointed by various authorities specified in the Home Rule Charter. The 2000 Charter was not amended in 2011.  

What are the powers of the Charter Commission?

The Charter Commission does not have any independent authority to make changes to the Charter. It can only make administrative recommendations approved by a majority vote of its members and amendment proposals approved by a vote of four-fifths of its members (Charter Article 5 and Article 6, Sections 6.01 and 6.04), in the form of a final report presented to the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners.

What is the process for changing the Charter?

The Board must consider whether any of the Charter Commission’s administrative recommendations should be implemented. The Board has authority to decide whether it will make the recommended changes (Charter Article 7, Section 7.07). But the Board must send each lawful amendment proposal to the voters at the next available general election for a decision on whether to accept it or reject it.  

Who decides whether local positions are appointed or elected?

The general election statute is KSA 25-101. Subsections (10) and (11) require election of certain county officials: at each election when an incumbent commissioner’s term has expired; and at alternate elections, a county clerk, a county treasurer, a register of deeds, a county or district attorney, and a sheriff in each county. 

County governmental bodies do not have the power to change state statutes. Any statutory changes would have to be made by the state legislature. Counties are not permitted to opt out of statutes that apply uniformly to all counties (KSA 19-101a). However, the state legislature’s declaration of the two “Charter Counties” eliminated the uniformity of KSA 25-101(10) and (11). That allowed Johnson County voters in 2000 to “charter out” of electing the clerk, treasurer, and register of deeds and provide for their appointments by the County Commissioners (Charter Article 5, Section 5.05). The district attorney of Johnson County is specifically required by statute to be an elected judicial district officer, not a county officer (KSA 22a-101). 

Who decides whether local races are partisan or nonpartisan?

Elections for county office are partisan, except for voting on judicial retention. Johnson County has opted for nonpartisan election of County Commissioners.   

Submitted by Alleen VanBebber


 
U.S Rep. Barbara Lee
  • In 2001, she cast Congress’ sole “No” vote opposing unlimited presidential powers after the 9/11 attacks.

  • In March 2021, she voted “Yes” on H.R. 1, For The People Act, helping send it to the U.S. Senate (where it still languishes).

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee acts on her values. In March 2021 she said: “H.R. 1 is about the right to vote, upholding the integrity of our elections, and reining in the influence of special-interest money in our politics. … [It] is a critical step towards putting the power back in the hands of the people and stopping the voter suppression tactics aimed at communities of color for generations. The time is now.”

Our job? Casting our ballots on November 2 and voting our values.

Submitted by Ellen Miller

Connect with Voters
What: The Voter Registration Committee will be participating in the Johnson County Pride in the Park Picnic on Saturday, October 9 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Sar Ko Par Trails Park in Lenexa. We will be handing out flyers with QR codes to ksvotes and vote411 and encouraging voter participation in the election.
Contact: Volunteers can sign up for shifts on the website or just email  lwvjocovr@gmail.com with their interest in participating.
Make a difference in the statewide community as the LWVK Fundraising / Development Chair
The Development Chair role is an opportunity to join a strong Chapter team and work closely with the Executive Director and local leadership, regional teams and an outstanding group of volunteers to increase the reach and impact of the Chapter.
What: Coordinates LWVK fundraising and development
Reports to: LWVK President(s)
Experience:  Preferred but not required
Contact: contactus@lwvk.org

Liesl Christman Agan 

Susan Pommerenke 

Eliza Sundahl

Julie Walker

Robert Woolrich



Member Spotlight: Marie Hernandez
 
This League member believes in a multi-pronged approach to defending democracy.
Learn more about Marie.

Observer Corps Reports

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

 
  • Which cities are updating strategic plans?
  • Which city is seeking citizen engagement on Infrastructure plans?
  • Mental health getting more attention in JOCO.
 
Read the latest summaries by League members who attend several public meetings in our area.

Board and Committee Briefs 

🚨 LWVJoCo meetings will remain virtual indefinitely. For the safety of members and the community, the board has decided to continue meeting virtually through the end of the year. 

🙌 Redistricting update: Thank you to Connie Taylor, Nancy Allen, Juliet Sinclair and Marie Hernandez for walking us through how to create communities of interest during our September program. If you missed it, you can watch it here. Other actions you can take now:  

  • Ask the League to help you in defining and mapping your community of interest. Sign up here.

  • Urge friends and family about our map-drawing contest for undergraduate students with the chance to win $1,000. Find details here.

  • Join our redistricting committee. Contact Connie Taylor for more information.

✔️ National Popular Vote Program: Thank you to the 81 people who attended our September program about the pros and cons of the Electoral College, National Popular Vote and ranked choice voting. If you missed it, you can watch it here. A special thank you goes to Janet Milkovich, our outstanding moderator, and our panelists, Dr. Andrea Vieux of JCCC and Dr. Paul Schumaker of KU. We also appreciate the behind-the-scenes help Marsha Ratzel and Marie Hernandez provided. 

🚫 Texas’ New Anti-Woman Bill: Read the statement LWVUS published after the U.S. Supreme Court failed to overturn the new law in Texas that essentially bans abortion.

👀 New Vote411.org PSAs: Share these new short videos promoting Vote411.org as a voter resource on your social media channels. You can find these public service announcements in English and Spanish here

📝 Check Vote411.org: Remember to use Vote411.org, our online voter guide, when researching candidates running office in your district. If candidates have NOT participated, contact them and urge them to do so. Tell them voters need nonpartisan, credible information to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

📰 Stay Current: Read about the latest work of Leagues throughout the state in the latest issue of LWVK’s VOTER Notes newsletter.



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