Get engaged, involved and be effective in
Making Democracy Work®
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In this issue:
- League Calls for Federal Action!
- Democracy in America 2022: Peace at the Polls. Keeping our election workers safe
- LWV MP Voter Services opportunities
- Election Information from trusted Source: Maricopa County Elections Department
- Advocacy News
- Criminal Justice Reform - Phoenix Policing
- Climate and Transportation
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LEAGUE CALLS FOR FEDERAL ACTION!
ERA should be the law of the land!
Tell your representatives that you want equality to be part of the Constitution. The new resolution, H. Res. 891, introduced by Congresswomen Jackie Speier and Carolyn Maloney, will reflect the sentiment of the House that under the terms of Article V, the ERA is already part of the Constitution. It will ensure it is considered effective as of January 27, 2022.
Root out dark money!
The time has come for the US Congress to return power to the people. Corporations and wealthy individuals should not have the power to make undisclosed political contributions that influence elections. Disclosure of large political spending should be the bare minimum requirement to provide voters with critical information about who is spending money in our federal elections.
On July 19, the League's CEO Virginia Kase Solomón spoke before the US Senate Committee on Rules and Administration in favor of the DISCLOSE Act.
This legislation would increase transparency in our elections by requiring large political donors to disclose their identities so voters know who is funding their candidates.
Contact your senators today and tell them now is the time to root out dark money that has an increasing influence on our federal elections.
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Democracy in America 2022: Peace at the Polls
Keeping our election workers safe
Election and poll workers are a key part of our democratic process on election days. They are citizens volunteering to help fellow citizens cast their ballots, making voting accessible and smooth, and promoting a peaceful civil process with respect for citizens' fundamental constitutional rights. Temporary election workers help to ensure that all legally-cast votes are properly tabulated.
The League of Women Voters believes that voting is a fundamental citizen right that must be guaranteed. We support free, open, and fair electoral systems at the local, state, and federal levels of government that encourage participation. We call for systems that are verifiable and auditable, and that enhance representation for all voters. Democracy demands that every citizen has a voice and a vote in public affairs and that neither their voices nor their votes will be silenced or suppressed by intimidation, threats, or illegal acts. Poll workers are not only entitled to be protected from intimidation, threats, and unlawful acts, they must be protected. The laws clearly mandate that intimidation and harassment have no place at a polling place.
For many years, our Arizona Leagues have worked with election officials across the state. We have always found the election officials to be impartial regardless of their party affiliations, with unwavering dedication to the needs of the voters.
Across this state, patriotic citizens are deeply disturbed that there is an increasing number of hostile attacks on election workers. Such attacks strike at the very heart of democracy, which calls for respect for all voices and peaceful, orderly election processes. Aggressive behaviors directed against any persons in our society who disagree with certain groups is anti-democratic and unacceptable. The resignation of senior elections officials with many years of dedicated service to the voters of Yavapai County is a strong warning that all of us, regardless of party or beliefs, must stand up to those who would undermine our democratic election systems. The leadership of the LWV of Central Yavapai County and the LWV of Northern Arizona sent a letter to the Daily Courier, raising the alarm over resignation of long-serving, respected elections officials in the county. We encourage you to read this and share it widely.
League members know how important it is to make sure election day is a day when voters cast their ballots in a free, secure, peaceful, and accessible manner. The League of Women Voters has traditionally provided many poll workers through the years, and we will continue to do so. We ask that you join us in standing up to those elements in our society who would undermine our election systems.
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LWV Metro Phoenix - Voter Services Opportunities
GET INVOLVED!
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Below are some key Voter Services League activities that we will be doing over the summer and fall of this year:
Election Workers: Become a temporary election worker. Get involved as a temporary worker at the county elections department. Learn more about the job opportunities at GetInvolved.Maricopa.Vote. The County is now offering the opportunity for temporary election workers to earn up to an additional $1,750 bonus for the August primary and November general election. The county is hiring temporary staff for bipartisan ballot processing boards, delivery drivers, warehouse staff, and technical set up personnel to support each election. Learn more about the bonuses here.
Election Protection Arizona (EPAZ) - Poll Monitor Training & Poll Worker Introduction: We need the people filling these roles to have an understanding of AZ's election law, and the barriers that voters can face. We are the helpers our communities deserve! That’s why we’re going to be there. Volunteer poll monitors and paid poll workers who actually understand the complexities of casting a ballot, and who have the empathy to support their communities through that time, are critical.
Vote411.org: Please go to the link, enter your address and see what Vote411.org is about and how it keeps voters well-informed about local elections.
Registering voters
Naturalization ceremonies (every Friday or other days assigned to the League, must be a Deputy Registrar).
High school and middle school - civic education regarding voting - and registering voters:
Making the connection and organizing the relationship.
Building content and presentation.
Presenting. We can also train high school students to register their classmates.
Volunteer to register voters between August and October at the public libraries (wherever we have made arrangements).
Help with Get Out the Vote (GOTV)
Phone banking
Texting
Writing postcards
Canvassing
Tabling to either register voters or inform voters/ voter education/ petitions etc.
Contact the chair of our Voter Services Team at [email protected] to learn more about the League and get started on your opportunity to help protect the fundamental right to vote to elect those we consent to govern us in secure elections without partisan interference, manipulation, or intimidation.
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ELECTION INFORMATION FROM TRUSTED SOURCE: MARICOPA COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT
Did you know Maricopa County voters have multiple ways to vote in the August primary and November general elections? Text “JOIN” to 628 683 to track your ballot or visit BeBallotReady.Vote to check your voter status.
Voting by mail
BeBallotReady.Vote provides Maricopa County voters with a personalized dashboard filled with information to help voters be ballot ready for upcoming elections. Sign in to find your voter registration details, personalized election information, voting history, digital voter ID card and more! And if you are an independent voter, you can make your ballot choice for the Primary Election right on your dashboard. Your sample ballot should be available there soon, too! Voters can also find election security information and links to get involved in the election. Make sure you visit your dashboard to verify your address and be ballot ready for the primary election at BeBallotReady.Vote.
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By mail — The last recommended day to return your ballot in the mail is July 26. Postmarks don’t count in Arizona. The ballot must be delivered to the Elections Department no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.
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Drop it off — Voters can drop off their early ballots at any open vote center or secure ballot drop box from now until election day. You can skip the line, too! Find a center that’s convenient for you at Locations.Maricopa.Vote.
Voting in-person
Maricopa County is offering 211 vote centers, which allow voters to choose from any of the open locations, instead of being assigned to just one polling place. Locations are open now through August 2. Remember, every voter is required to show proof of identity when voting in person, whether they vote early or on election day. View acceptable forms ID at GetID.Maricopa.Vote. Search for a vote center that’s convenient for you at Locations.Maricopa.Vote.
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Early — Any voter can cast a ballot in person prior to election day. The county is phasing in the opening of the sites. Make sure to visit the website for hours of operation.
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Emergency — Maricopa County voters who have an issue preventing them from voting in-person on election day can visit any of the open vote centers open after 5 p.m., Friday, July 29, through 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 1.
State law requires that a voter must provide identification and sign a statement attesting that they have experienced an emergency preventing them from voting on election day. It is up to the voter to decide what qualifies as an emergency. Maricopa County voters may still use any open vote center or drop box during this time frame to return an early ballot.
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Election day — On Tuesday, Aug. 2, all vote centers are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
Election results
Primary election day is less than two weeks away on Tuesday, Aug. 2. The Maricopa County Elections Department will post preliminary results at 8 p.m. on election day at Results.Maricopa.Vote. The first posting of results will be all the early ballots counted to that point. Throughout election night, the county plans to post results from the election day vote centers. After election day, election workers will need to verify and process the thousands of early ballots dropped off at the polls, count write-in candidates, vet provisional ballots, and cure questionable signatures. The county expects to count primary election ballots and report daily updates until Tuesday, Aug. 9.
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MP advocacy for criminal justice reform
Policing: LWVMP actions to support the Phoenix City Council Office of Accountability and Transparency
In 2020, the Phoenix City Council approved the creation of the Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT), and finalized the specific duties of the office in June of last year. In November 2021, City Manager Jeff Barton named Roger Smith as the city’s first Director of OAT. On June 15,the LWVMP Phoenix community team hosted a conversation with Mr. Smith to learn more about the role OAT might have regarding Phoenix Police Department accountability and transparency.
For 23 years, Mr. Smith has been an attorney licensed in New York state. Hehas also worked as a journalist for a number of years, and earned a master’s degree in public affairs. After arriving in Phoenix last year, Mr. Smith is working to complete staffing of the OAT office, which when fully staffed will have 15 members. Currently he is preparing to hire an executive secretary, two community engagement positions and a research analyst. The rest of the OAT positions were on hold at the time of the meeting, pending the Governor’s action on HB2721 which mandates two-thirds of the office staff to be Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) Board-certified law enforcement officers. Gov. Doug Ducey signed the measure into law earlier this month.
Mr. Smith spoke about the impact of this legislation and discussed how it could be a barrier for OAT in the all-important task of nurturing trust with the community. He emphasized that whoever he hires will have to strictly adhere to the mission of OAT and that any decisions or investigative conclusions coming from the office will come from him. Mr. Smith considers the main task of OAT to be to engender public trust. The way to clinch that trust is to prove that OAT is going to be impartial and ensure that OAT acts independently of the Phoenix Police Department and maintains strict confidentiality.
The City Council also has expectations for OAT, Mr. Smith emphasized, among which are initiating, monitoring, and reviewing their own investigations; facilitating mediation; and creating youth outreach programs. OAT welcomes requests for investigations from the public and at times the city manager may also make requests.
Mr. Smith stressed the importance of communicating with the community in daily open conversations about policing. Mr. Smith has spent the last few months meeting with individuals and community groups. All members of the community can help OAT do its job of increasing accountability and transparency in our police department by making a commitment to be part of the conversation and communicating with our elected officials who will have the power to take action on OAT’s recommendations.
Community members can call Mr. Smith at 602-534-8263 or email him at [email protected]
Update: Following the meeting, the LWVMP Criminal Justice Issues Team recommended a letter be sent to Phoenix officials voicing support for the city’s opposition to HB2721 (which has now been signed into law by the governor) and offering to work with the city to identify and implement other mechanisms to ensure that OAT can be an independent agency that can earn the trust and respect of the Phoenix community. Read the letter sent to the City Council.
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Focus on issues of climate and transportation
Mesa Reaches First Sustainability Goal of Carbon Neutrality
The city of Mesa became the first municipality in SRP territory to max out SRP energy efficiency rebates. Laura Hyneman, City of Mesa deputy director of Environmental and Sustainability, said "We are all excited about this huge achievement because it brings Mesa closer to our goal of becoming a carbon neutral community by 2050. A key pathway to achieve carbon neutrality is to reduce energy use as much as possible and use clean renewable energy." See article below for Mesa’s milestones: https://mesanow.org/news/public/article/2964.
Mesa’s Climate Action Plan 2.0
On July 9, the Mesa City Council reviewed the city’s updated Climate Action Plan (2.0) with the goals of considering actions within city operations and enhancing community resilience through collaboration and inclusive engagement. Mesa resident Shelley Gordon suggested the formation of a citizens’ Climate Action Advisory Commission, following in the footsteps of Scottsdale and Tempe. The Mayor agreed, stating that the most important elements of the plan are implementation and community engagement. The motion passed unanimously. For the presentation, council report, resolution, plan, and community action study, see: https://mesa.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5708160&GUID=FD4133B5-BE14-477D-B96D-DEA294279568.
Phoenix Electric Road Map
The City of Phoenix adopted a Transportation Electrification Action Plan (known as the Electric Road Map) at its June 15 Council meeting. This vote was preceded by the creation of a 15-member ad hoc committee (consisting of auto manufacturers, advocacy groups, utility companies, and experts) and concluded a months-long planning review with local residents (consisting of 30 committee meetings, 40 community events, and the receipt of 1300 suggestions).
The plan’s major goal is to increase the number of electric vehicles in Phoenix to 280,000 by 2030. If this goal is met, the city will see an economic windfall of approximately thirty billion dollars and a reduction of 26 tons in carbon dioxide emissions. Other major goals of the new Transportation Electrification Action Plan are:
- conduct an extensive education and outreach campaign on the merits (both economic and environmental) of utilizing electric vehicles.
- ensure social and economic equity by providing access to these new technologies for current underserved communities in the Phoenix area.
- install 500 electric charging stations in public areas around the city and 500 in selected business locations.
- formulate new residential and commercial building codes to adapt to the new electrification reality.
The plan focused on three major priorities:
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Equity (in terms of access) for everyone by ensuring that 40 percent of the investments will be made in underserved communities. An example is a pilot e-mobility program in a designated underserved community to ascertain what unique needs exist in certain areas because “one size does not fit all.”
- Public adoption of electric vehicles through education and outreach campaigning.
- The City investing and increasing its own electric vehicle fleet.
The 2022-23 city budget, coupled with grants already awarded – to include $150 million for zero & low emission buses -- will lay the foundation to start the implementation process. These budget items include staffing such a full time electric vehicle program manager, a climate action plan manager, an operations analyst (to conduct a $250,000 study on the city fleet needs and feasible locations for public electric charging stations,) and an Americorp-Vista position for community outreach.
Please click here to access the full newly approved Transportation Electrification Action Plan
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Read all about State Advocacy Actions
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2022-2023 LWV Metro Phoenix Board
Officers:
Kara Pelletier, President and LWVAZ State Board MP representative
Pinny Sheoran, President Elect, Forums and Communication Chair
Mary Beth Tripp, Secretary
Barbara Cricket Mitchell, Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair
Board of Directors
Alexis Cutler, Membership Chair
Dawn Abel, Advocacy Chair
Diana Nashban, Nominations Chair
Felice Zensius
Gretchen Bolerjack, Voter Services Chair
Gitelle Seer, LWVAZ State Board MP representative
Leslie Hanson
Peggy Mullan,Bylaws Chair
LWVMP Community Teams continue to connect through digital platforms, email and, when possible, as small groups. The rise in infections of the Covid-19 Omicron variant can be a cause-for-pause among some League members regarding meeting in person. We are asking team leads to be mindful of member concerns as they plan in-person gatherings of the community teams. If you want to find out more about community teams contact the team leads or liaisons listed below:
If you are interested in assembling a community team please email us at [email protected]
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Editorial Board: Barb Kain, Pinny Sheoran
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