Advocacy News: Do Something!
If the summer months have you feeling lazy and even a little apathetic when it comes to politics, throw some cold water on your face and read on. There is a lot of work being done, and even more yet to be done.
Gilroy. El Paso. Dayton. DO SOMETHING! The vigils held throughout the country were a call to action for gun control reform. I attended the Pasadena vigil in August. It was a small gesture to represent those who have lost their lives to gun violence and are no longer able to have their voices heard.
As the League continues the fight to protect our basic right to vote, it gives me pause knowing others are fighting just as hard to game the system. From gerrymandering to dark money to voter purges and outright voter suppression, the reasons to get involved have never been more compelling, and the time to get involved and stand up for our democracy is now.
Members should be aware that Los Angeles County plans to debut a new voting system in March 2020 to coincide with the primaries. The new system and the changes it will bring are very exciting, but there is a lot of information and training necessary to educate the public. A handful of League members have been trained and are ready to assist with the transition. Contact Voter Services Chair Martha Zavala to help in this effort, because we know you, too, want to ensure that everyone votes.
Also, the LWVC is a cosponsor of ACA 6. ACA 6 would restore voting rights to people who are on parole and no longer incarcerated. California is currently behind fourteen other states and Washington, D.C., which either automatically restore voting rights upon release from prison or have no felony disenfranchisement whatsoever. Since it is a constitutional amendment, we need to get two-thirds of the State Legislature to put it onto the ballot. Representing the LWV-PA, Pat Coulter and Jan Sanders, along with Free the Vote Coalition members, will meet with targeted legislators during the summer recess to advocate for ACA 6.
The LWV-PA is a member on the Pasadena Complete Count Committee. Members from both the Advocacy Committee and Voter Services are represented. Jan Sanders and Martha Zavala will attend the first meeting on August 23 to select committee work assignments, coordinate messaging, and receive talking points for how to educate the community. If you are interested in taking part in this tremendous undertaking, contact Debbie Fagen at advocacy [at] lwv-pa.org.
The Advocacy Committee also drafted letters to be sent on League letterhead and signed by Pat Coulter to our local officials in support of AB 1217, SB 47, ACA 6, and SB 212. Tracking bills through legislation makes our advocacy work more effective.
Become a League member. Join a committee. DO SOMETHING!!!
—Debbie Fagen, Chair, Advocacy Committee
