The Voter Newsletters - League of Women Voters of Johnson County

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Date: 11/17/2021
Subject: LWVJoCo Update: Read. Learn. Act.
From: LWV of Johnson County

Hello ~~first_name~~:

This League update contains a quick election turnout recap, information about another round of redistricting town halls, some great information on water challenges, a link to take action on voting access, and more.

Read | Learn | Act

Election Recap

Local elections never get the same kind of turnout as national elections, but they're just as important. This year, Johnson County voters exceeded expectations with just over 25 percent turnout. That's higher than voter turnout for the local elections in 2017 and 2019. Wyandotte County voter turnout came in at 18.47 percent - higher than 2019, but significantly lower than 2017. Source: The Kansas City Beacon

Voter turnout stats aside, elections always require significant work. They can't happen without the tremendous efforts of election workers and volunteers. Thank you to everyone who supported this important part of our democracy! We also want to extend a special thanks to Julie Lester and Becky White for serving as the League's representatives at the election canvass.

Redistricting Town Halls - Round 2

The House and Senate Redistricting Committees will hold an additional Town Hall "Listening Tour" in each of the four Congressional Districts.

The Third Congressional District Town Hall will be on Tuesday, November 30, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Meeting Room, 200 E 3rd St., Bonner Springs, KS 66012. There will also be a session in Stilwell at that time - exact location TBD.

Visit our Redistricting page to learn more about participating, and please contact Connie Taylor at taylorconniem@gmail.com with any questions. Testimonies are key!

Water is vital to sustaining life. Yet, in accessing clean water, "race is still the strongest determinant in the U.S." Black American and Latino American populations are two times more likely to be without indoor plumbing than white American homes, and Native Americans are 19 times more likely to be without indoor potable water.

Why do these inequities still exist? There is a myriad of reasons, but the fundamental one is that persons in power who control water quality in poor communities do not live there, and they lack the will and resolve to make the changes needed. We, the members of the Johnson County League of Women Voters, must continue our advocacy for clean water for all.

- Elizabeth Ann Sanders, PhD

Source: "Climate in Crisis," NBC News, 2019

Stay Engaged

Take Action: Voting Rights

The expansive innovations and reforms for voting that led to record-shattering voter participation in 2020 are under direct assault across the country. The Biden-Harris administration has several ways in which it can champion federal voting rights reforms, but has used few of them to date. Your voice is powerful, and it is time to raise it up to the Oval Office. Cal on the Biden-Harris administration to lead this fight to protect the freedom to vote. Take action now.

All About Water

Many thanks to those that attended our November meeting on water, and to our excellent panelists. A couple of takeaways:

💧Water is a bi-partisan issue that impacts everyone.

💧The Kansas House Committee on Water will discuss ways to address our water crisis during the upcoming legislative session. Constituent input is desired. Learn more here.

The panel covered the basics of water, including supply, quality and challenges. View the full discussion.

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, and there are a couple of upcoming events we'd like to highlight.

1. The Leavenworth Public Library is sponsoring "Perspectives: Our Shared History as Understood by a Middle-Aged Indigenous Woman" this Thursday, November 18, at 7:00 p.m. Learn more here.

2. This Saturday, November 20, at 1:00 p.m., gather by Wyandotte County Lake to listen to Native American Choctaw storyteller and author, Ralph "Little Eagle" Williston. Get the details here.

The League and voter registration drives

Voter registration has always been an important League activity. Unfortunately, we've had to dial back activities. Read this opinion piece in the Kansas Reflector from the Kansas League's leaders, Jacqueline Lightcap and Martha Pint, on this issue.

Are you on social media?

If so, are you following LWVJoCo? If not, be sure to check out our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts for regular posts on local issues, DEI, voting information, voting rights and more. Subscribe to our YouTube channel as well to catch any panel discussions you may have missed.

Questions or concerns?

Contact Us

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