LWVMP Voters Voice
Saturday, February 2

Hello League Members and Friends,
We appreciate your dedication to making democracy work!
See below for upcoming ways to get involved.

Questions? Contact us at lwvmp.com@gmail.com !


LWVMP at the 2019 Women's March

Thank you to everyone who joined the Women's March on January 19 at the State Capitol! We loved joining like-minded individuals to rally in support of issues relevant to all of us, regardless of political affiliations.

The Department of Public Safety estimates 6,700 individuals attended.
Support Passage of the ERA in Arizona by Becoming an ERA Sentinel

These sentinels will stand outside the capitol every day of the legislative session wearing an ERA sash. This keeps the issue in our legislators' faces and seeing the variety of people there will remind them that it's not just a few women who want to see this passed.

We want at least two volunteers for each shift from 8-12 in the morning and 12-4 in the afternoon, Monday - Thursday, January 15- the end of April.

Instructions: If you are the first person at the Capitol for the day, you’ll pick up the bags for that day’s sentinels along with 2 ERA rounds from Senator Steele’s assistant on the 3rd floor. Go up the elevator of the Senate building and have the security officer there call her assistant – tell her (or him) that you’re there to pick up ERA bags from Senator Steele’s assistant.

Morning sentinels will hand off the rounds and bags to the afternoon sentinels.
If you’re the last sentinel shift you’ll return the ERA rounds to Senator Steele’s office. You may need to leave them with the security guard in the lobby – no signs are allowed in the building.

Inside of the bag you’ll find a sash, a water bottle, a post card & some fliers. The sash is yours to keep and we hope you'll wear it whenever you're at the Capitol for whatever reason. Please keep yourself hydrated and protected from the sun. Thank you so much for standing up for women’s equality!

If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca McHood at  rebeccamchood@gmail.com .

To sign up for volunteer shifts, please click here .

Location: AZ State Capitol
Join the LWVAZ Board of Directors

The LWVAZ executive committee has approved the appointment of 4 League members to draft bylaw changes consistent with the agreed upon LWVAZ board structure. 

If you are interested in submitting your name for consideration, please contact Robyn Prud'homme-Bauer or Alice Stambaugh by February 28.

Positions available:

  • President
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Director at Large

Contact information:

February Team Meetings

Phoenix Community Meeting (Day)
  • Wednesday, February 13, 9:30 AM
  • Location: The Terraces, 7550 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020
  • Topic: Dianne Post from National Women's Organization (NOW) Arizona will lead a discussion about the ERA. The group will learn why it isn't a law yet, why it is needed in today's world, and how to advocate for passage with the Arizona Legislature.
  • Contact info: Rivko Knox at bvaandrk@earthlink.net

Phoenix Community Team (Evening)
  • Wednesday, February 13, 7:00 PM
  • Location: 2 West Keim Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85013 (north of Bethany Home)
  • Topic: Special guest Gerry Corey, LWVMP Voter Services Chair, will lead the group in developing a plan to register voters in high schools and post-secondary schools in our local area during 2019.
  • Contact info: Linda Bunting-Blake at 480-201-0780 or Linda Holman Bentley at lindaholmanbentley@gmail.com

Scottsdale Community Team (Day)
  • Thursday, February 14, 9:30 AM
  • Location: Scottsdale Congregational Church, 4425 N Granite Reef Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
  • Bring a brown bag lunch for social time after the program.
  • Topic:We will have two speakers, Dave Wells and Joe Blankenship, who will address the financial issues and broader policy issues involving charter schools. David Wells is with the Grand Canyon Institute and a recognized expert in public policy. Joe Blankenship is a Board Member of the Secular Coalition for Arizona, a nonprofit advocacy organization that works to insure a secular state government. Following their presentation, the team will continue their discussions about their plans and agenda for the coming year.
  • Contact info: Ethel DeMarr at etheldemarr0@gmail.com

East Valley Community Team (Evening)
  • Tuesday, February 19, 6:00 PM
  • Location: Dayspring United Methodist Church, 1365 E. Elliot Road, Tempe, AZ, 85284
  • Topic: We will discuss what our team will focus on for the next year.
  • Contact info: Laura Hudson at Laurahud@gmail.com

East Valley Community Team (Day)
  • Thursday, February 21, 11:30am
  • Location: 400 E Alameda Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282
  • Topic: Bring a brown bag lunch and discuss 3 important LWV issues: voting rights, education, and women's issues. We will explore insights on each subject as well as actions we can take as individuals.
  • Contact: Marjorie Thornton at marlou.thornton@gmail.com
This is not a LWV event.
KJZZ Phoenix Mayoral Candidate Forum

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 from 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM

Burton Barr Central Library
1221 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004

KJZZ Phoenix 91.5 FM will host a public forum between Kate Gallego and Daniel Valenzuela, the candidates for Phoenix Mayor. Join us for a live discussion moderated by KJZZ’s Christina Estes and Mark Brodie. We’ll ask the audience to submit their questions as well.

This is not an LWV event.
Registration strongly encouraged: http://bit.ly/2HAThf3
LWVAZ Legislative Day at the State Capitol

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 from 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM

Arizona State Capitol
Historic Supreme Court Chamber
1700 W Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Schedule for the day:

On-going: Visits with legislators, scheduled beforehand
Some appointments with legislators may need to be scheduled earlier than the formal start time, in order for the legislator to be available.

8:45 AM:   Coffee and Sign-in; legislators invited to mingle.
 
9:45 AM:  Welcome and Program #1: Invited Speakers, including legislators

11:00 AM:  Program #2: Invited Speakers

12:00 PM:  Box Lunch (if ordered); or bring brown bag. Pick up in the old Supreme Court Chamber

1:15 (PM-ish): Opening of the Legislative Session. Be on the floor, where League will be officially recognized (as being present) by a legislator.

2:00-2:30 PM (depends on length of above) : Meet to debrief


Questions? Contact:
Alice Stambaugh, lwvaz@karlandalice.name or
Rivko Knox,  bvaandrk@earthlink.net
New Member Orientation Opportunities

Join our February New Member Orientation opportunities to learn more about LWVMP! Even if you have attended in the past, you are welcome to attend again. See information below, and please remember to RSVP, so we can prepare materials.

Saturday, February 23 from 2-4 PM

Location
2 West Keim Drive (north of Bethany Home Road)
Phoenix, AZ 85013

RSVP to Linda Bunting-Blake at 480-201-0780 or buntingblake.linda@gmail.com.

Sunday, February 24 from 2-4 PM

Location
9357 N. 87 Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

RSVP to Martha O'Connor at 602-370-1212.
LWVMP Supports Girls on the Run ... Join Our Team!

  LWVMP is participating in the 2019 Girls on the Run Maricopa & Pinal County annual 5K. We are putting up a team of racers (run, walk, skip...whatever!) and a cheering team. 
 
More about Girls on the Run:

At Girls on the Run (GOTR) we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Trained coaches lead small teams through our research-base curricula which includes dynamic discussions, activities and running games. Over the course of the 10 week program girls in 3rd-8th grade develop essential skills to help them navigate their worlds and establish a lifetime appreciation for health and fitness. The program culminates with the girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepare to complete a celebratory 5K event.
 
In addition to this being a celebration for the girls, the 5K is open to the public and serves as a fund-raiser for scholarships and program support. Our goal is to never turn a girl away due to hardship; and so far, we haven’t had to! Between the girls, their families, sparkle runners and community runners we anticipate over 5000 people on race day-- our biggest turn-out yet! This also marks the 15 th  season for Girls on the Run, Maricopa and Pinal County so expect to have a lot of FUN!

League Member Susan Walter s  is our Captain. She kindly set up the teams for us. Please see the instructions below to sign up:

LWV-MP is now an official ‘team’ for the Girls on the Run 5k .
Here’s the link for signing up:   https://www.gotrmc.org/5K
 
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS – MP
Complete the on-line form:
For those wishing to run the public 5K :
  • Choose REGISTER NOW
  • JOIN AN EXISTING TEAM
  • In the drop down, choose LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS – MP
  • Complete on-line form 

For those wishing to volunteer :
  • Scroll down and Choose LEARN MORE ABOUT 5K VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
  • Choose REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER TODAY!
  • JOIN AN EXISTING TEAM
  • In the drop down, choose LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS – MP
  • Complete on-line form
How Voting May Change in Maricopa County
Alice Stambaugh

You probably either experienced or heard of a few voting issues: long lines, not enough equipment, broken machines, limited parking, and more.  Afterwards, it took several weeks for the closest races to be called, because provisional and early ballots dropped off on election day needed to be counted. Some ballots also needed to be “cured,” meaning signatures needed to be verified and then fixed by the voter in order to be counted.

Given the above, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has formed a working group to examine possible changes “regarding structure, staffing and technology,” according to District #3 Supervisor and Board Chairman Bill Gates. Structural changes, at least, are expected to be announced within 60 days.

League members have been part of discussions with county officials, and here are topics that might be under discussion:

  • How are responsibilities divided? Should there be an Elections' Administrator appointed by the County Supervisors to administer elections? Most counties in Arizona separate the Recorder and Elections functions, but some elections officials say it is too easy for one “division” to point fingers at another if there are problems.

  • How does early voting and the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) play into voting issues? The number of people voting has increased since the County implemented vote-by-mail. People like to hold on to their ballots until voting day for many reasons: the “ritual” of going to the polls; distrust of mail service; they want to see if any additional election information is revealed before submitting their vote; they want the “I voted” sticker; or they forgot to mail it! If early voting options become more limited, the number of people voting might drop. League does NOT support that. And, more people may be needing to vote in person, which equals longer lines and more costly elections.

  • What about technology? New technology led to voting centers, that are open a significant number of hours several weeks prior to election day.  They print a ballot-on-demand for a voter in ANY precinct, making it easier to replace your ballot if needed. An all-voting-center election would mean more efficiency and less equipment needed. Right now, however, there is a bill moving forward that would DISALLOW such a system. It requires either all-precinct voting (more equipment, more staffing, more polling places to find) or a hybrid system. The “hybrid” was used in the last election and voters found it really confusing.

Interesting Tidbits:

  • Ballot-counting in November took NO longer than for previous elections. Because races were close and people were paying more attention, everyone noticed the typical 12-14 days for final counts!

  • People like early voting and PEVL! It increases ballot access. Signature verification on early-ballot envelopes has worked well and takes no longer than processing a provisional ballot.

  • Voting centers, increasingly used around the country and the ONLY election method used in some counties in Arizona (in conjunction with vote-by-mail), are popular, flexible, and less expensive than precinct-voting.
Articles of Interest

In this new section of the Voter's Voice, we will seek to include links to articles membership may find informative.

Still Time to Renew Membership

Making democracy work requires the support of all members of our community. Are you committed to the mission?

Renew your membership TODAY ... and gift a loved one with a membership, too. Women, men, young adults, and students are ALL welcome in the League of Women Voters.

  • Individual                    $75
  • Household/Family        $100
  • Supporting                    $125
  • Young Adult (18 - 26)  $45
  • Student (16 - 26)          $10

Membership benefits include:

  • Legislative updates
  • Member specific training opportunities
  • Non-partisan information and connections
  • Monthly community meetings
  • Volunteer opportunities to make democracy work

The cost of membership goes to support the above benefits AND:

  • Letter writing campaigns to legislators and administrative agencies
  • Publication and distribution of pertinent materials
  • Testifying at legislative and administrative hearings to assure citizen input in policymaking decisions
  • Litigation support to clarify laws in the public interest
  • Education and outreach events
  • Voter registration events
  • More

Ready to renew membership and invite a friend or family member to join? Click here ...we'll see you again soon!
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