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Date: 10/4/2021
Subject: LWV-Wake Update October 4th 2021
From: League of Women Voters of Wake County



LWV-Wake Update 10/4/2021

 
Revised Hispanic Heritage Month Image
Dear ~~first_name~~,
 
Greetings from LWV-Wake. Hispanic Heritage Month is happening now. September 15th, the starting date, signifies when Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua gained independence. Sometimes known as National Hispanic Heritage Month or Latinx Heritage Month, this time is a celebration of Hispanic culture and achievement. Today, I would like to recognize the achievements of Dolores Huerta. Huerta is the co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and a lifelong advocate for social justice. Learn more about Dolores Huerta here.
 
Redistricting
For those of you who enjoy political podcasts, Raleigh has a great one produced by N&O titled Under The Dome. There is a limited run series, Monster: Maps, Math & Power in North Carolina, as part of this podcast, that tackles redistricting and is hosted by N&O investigative reporter Tyler Dukes. I would invite anyone who is interested in hearing from legislators, advocates and political science professors on the subject to download and listen. PART 1: SO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MAP... aired September 21st and PART 2: WHAT GERRYMANDERING ISN’T aired October 1st.
 
There is A LOT going on with both state and local redistricting right now. The NCGA has concluded their scheduled public hearings and it looks like Wake County Board of Commissioners is kicking off their redistricting process this week. Scroll down for more redistricting updates. 
 
Voter Services
This month, we are in full League mode working on several projects to fulfill our mission of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy and WE NEED YOUR HELP. 
 
Vote2021 Image
GOTV Door Hanger Project- We need at least 10 volunteers
LWV-Wake has been working on a project to increase awareness of the importance of local elections and provide election information to residents of two municipalities in Wake County through the distribution of a specially designed door hanger. This piece will remind residents of the election and let them know about VOTE411.org.
 
We hope to distribute nearly 2,000 door hangers with voter information in Holly Springs and Morrisville from Friday, October 15 through Sunday, October 24. Any time that you can assist is appreciated!

Please sign up to volunteer here.

Some additional info:
This is a no- / low-contact activity. You can just leave the door hangers on front doors, you do not need to engage with voters.
Volunteers will receive printed lists of specific addresses to target with door hangers.
Lists will consist of approx. 40 doors each; we estimate that each list will take approx. 1-2 hours to complete. 
You can sign up to do as many lists as you wish.
You won't go alone! We can pair you up with another League member, or you can go out with a friend or family member.
We anticipate providing lists and door hangers to volunteers beginning the week of October 11.
If you have any questions about this project, please contact Ali Mabel. This project is the core of what we do and a great opportunity to get outside, enjoy the fall weather and catch up with a friend!
 
Call for Local Elections Stories for GOTV 
2021 is an election year, but one that might not get as much attention as other election years. Why? Because this year is an election for only local offices and ballot initiatives. Voter turn-out is typically much lower for these elections. LWV-Wake is working to change that! Help us spread the word about why local elections matter. We'll be putting together some social media messages and we want to hear your personal stories about why local elections matter to you. Please submit your comments here.  Thanks for helping us Get Out The Vote!

Upcoming LWV-Wake Events
League 101
WV-Wake is excited about our upcoming LEAGUE 101 interactive webinar being held this Thursday, October 7th from 10am-12pm. COVID-19 has prevented our membership committee from carrying out many of the more intimate in-person events that we would normally schedule in order to welcome our newest members. While we wait for pandemic conditions to improve (get your boosters!), women's rights committee co-chair and past-president Dianna Wynn, and redistricting co-chair and board secretary Laurel Voelker, have put together a great class.
 
The two-hour session will include interactive elements including a getting-acquainted segment, small group discussions, an exploration of the League’s online resources, live polls, and opportunities to ask questions. There will be a break scheduled into the session. All participants should be prepared to participate using a computer or laptop that will allow everyone to see you live on video. (It’s difficult to get to know each other if you’re simply calling in from your phone!) In order to participate in the live polls that are part of the session, participants may need to allow pop-ups in their computer settings. To register, click here.

November DEI II
  • TONIGHT October 4th 7pm DEI Roundtable - Restorative Justice - Defined as “A system of criminal justice that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large”, members will discuss the concept and its implications. Register here.  
  • October 19th 3pm League Lit Western Wake - Will discuss the book The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio.
    "One of the first undocumented immigrants to graduate from Harvard reveals the hidden lives of her fellow undocumented Americans in this deeply personal and groundbreaking portrait of a nation". - Amazon. A National Book Award Finalist. Register here.
  • October 21st 5:30pm Timely Topics (Virtual Public Event) - NCLM: Improving Resident Quality of Life in Cities and Towns. Guest speaker, Jennifer Cohen, Director of Business Development will discuss the role of the League in helping North Carolina cities and towns be the best hometown each can be for their residents. Register here.
  • November 1st 7:00pm-8:30pm DEI Roundtable Homogenized Hollywood - Is the content we consume through TV, movies, or reading diverse? Join for a discussion and brainstorming session on consuming diverse content in our daily lives. Register here.
  •  November 4th Raleigh League Lit - Will discuss the book The Three Mothers by Anna Malaika Tubbs. From Goodreads, "In her groundbreaking and essential debut The Three Mothers, scholar Anna Malaika Tubbs celebrates Black motherhood by telling the story of the three women who raised and shaped some of America's most pivotal heroes: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin." Register here.
  • November 18th 6:30pm Timely Topics: An Introduction to the TRHT Framework: A Holistic Approach to Racial Equity - This presentation introduces participants to the national Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Movement and Framework. We will also situate the work of the Duke TRHT Center within this broader context.The TRHT Framework is a comprehensive and community-based process to address the historical and contemporary sources of racism and bring about transformation and sustainable change. Register here.


Upcoming LWVNC Events
LWVNC Civilian Oversight Newsletter Image
Interest in civilian oversight of law enforcement has grown significantly in the League and in our communities. This workshop is especially for members who are new to this issue, to help you get started. Experienced League members will benefit from hearing the latest research and what is happening in other Leagues across the country, with a special emphasis on Sheriffs. To learn more and to register, click here. 

Redistricting Update
State Redistricting
Redistricting public hearings have concluded. Some information re: these hearings: 
  • There were only 13 hearings scheduled in 10 of 100 counties in NC.
  • There were no hearings in Wake County, our state's most populous county.
  • There was no live-streaming of hearings for individuals who did not feel comfortable being present in crowded rooms.
  • Hearings in general were well attended with most making comments (including many Leaguers) about the lack of transparency, the need for fair maps, and demanding that there be hearings scheduled AFTER maps have been drawn. 
LWV-Wake will continue to attend meetings and make public comments whenever public comment time is made available. 
You can listen to all the public hearings on the NCGA website.

UPDATE: There are two separate redistricting meetings scheduled for this Tuesday, October 5th. We hope to hear about the committees next steps. We would love to see a large League presence at these meetings. Wear your League pin!
  • Senate Committee on Redistricting & Elections - 10am Room 544 LOB
  • House Committee on Redistricting - 2pm Room 643 LOB
Local Redistricting
The Wake County Board of Commissioners have scheduled a staff presentation on redistricting for their meeting on this evening at 5pm. The meeting agenda and presentation materials can be found on their website. Meetings are held at the Wake County Justice Center, 300 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, Room 2700, 2nd floor. 

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Vote411.org is LIVE!
After months of incredible work by project leader Laurie Bader with help from members of the voter services committee, our VOTE411.org went live on October 1st. This is a monumental project that includes creating questions, compiling candidate contact info, reaching out to candidates to request their participation with multiple follow-up phone calls. This year, there was a 87% response rate from the candidates. A large increase compared to 2019. Response rates should continue to increase as efficiencies improve and candidates become more familiar with the platform. A big THANK YOU to Laurie and crew!
 
From the September 30th LWV-Wake Press Release, "Voters in all Wake County municipalities except Raleigh and Cary can find personalized election information on 69 candidates in 19 races (18 of them contested). The Wake League contacted all 69 local candidates for the ten participating Wake County towns. Each had the opportunity to reach out to voters with their contact information, responses to broad survey questions, and personal profiles".  
 
Laurie has received positive feedback about VOTE411.org from candidates. We will continue to promote the website at upcoming candidate forums and through social media. Please SHARE these promotional posts! 

Fair Maps Art Contest Winners Sneak Peak
Here are the winners of our Fair Maps Art Contest. Both pieces of art invoke an emotional response, especially when you read the artist's description of their process and what the various components represent. It was obvious that these two artists thought a lot about the impact of fair (and unfair) maps, recognizing the diverse populations in North Carolina. Please watch our website for interviews with the artists! 

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Leandro Case Update
The next Leandro Plan hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 18, where Judge Lee will hear what, if any, progress has been made on funding the comprehensive plan.  He will also listen to proposals on what the court should do to ensure the plan gets implemented should the General Assembly refuse to fully fund it. Judge Lee indicated that he does intend to take the steps necessary to make sure the state’s failure to meet its constitutional obligation is addressed. He also said this is state lawmakers’ last chance to act. Tick Tock!
 
For an in-depth analysis of the Leandro case, including the WestEd Report, visit everychildnc.org.
 
Thank you for continuing to support the League of Women Voters of Wake County. I look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Tung
President
Gold Seal of Transparency
The League of Women Voters of Wake County is a designated 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization by the IRS. Donations and membership dues are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.