|
Dear ~~first_name~~ ,
July 4 holds significance both for our nation's independence and in relation to the broader ideals of equality and democracy. As we celebrate Independence Day and reflect on the meaning of this important day, it is essential to consider the significance of voting rights and women's rights. While the Declaration of Independence declared the independence of the American colonies, it took many years and continued struggles to extend the promises of democracy and equal rights to all citizens, including women.
Freedom and liberty are fundamental principles that are deeply ingrained in the American ethos. In the context of July 4, voting rights carry particular significance as they symbolize the ideals of freedom and self-governance that the United States was founded upon. The Declaration of Independence proclaimed that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, emphasizing the importance of citizens having a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
Voting is a fundamental pillar of democracy and a vital tool for citizens to participate in shaping the direction of their nation.
Over the course of history, the United States has strived to expand voting rights to ensure broader inclusivity and equality. Initially, suffrage was limited to white male property owners, but through various amendments and legislation, the franchise has been extended to include African Americans, women, Native Americans, and young adults aged 18 and older.
However, it is crucial to recognize that challenges to voting rights persist, and the fight for full access to the ballot continues. Efforts to suppress or restrict voting, particularly impacting marginalized communities, demonstrate the ongoing need to protect and expand voting rights for all citizens.
On July 4, celebrating the principles of liberty and democracy should serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving and strengthening voting rights. It is a time to reflect on the progress made and to recommit to ensuring that all eligible citizens can freely and equitably exercise their right to vote. By promoting access to the ballot, fostering civic engagement, and advocating for an inclusive democracy, the promise of July 4 can be realized, and the democratic ideals of the nation can thrive.
While many of you will be holidaying in places across our state, the nation and the world, in this issue we invite you to include a journey on board LWVMP’s new website (lwvmetrophoenix.org). You will benefit greatly from learning about our new vehicle for communicating activities, events, and League information. We also invite you to join our newly-established LWVMP Education Issues team.
Warm regards,
Pinny Sheoran,
President
| |
Join us for any of these discussions - some in person, some via Zoom
- Sunday, Jul 30, 11:00am - 1:30pm: Education, Issues and Challenges faced by East Valley School boards. Location: Panera (Scottsdale Rd & Gainey Village) Event Registration
- Wednesday, Aug 23, 7-8pm: Understanding Voting Patterns in East Valley Cities. Profiles, trends in voting and voter registrations, youth voters, and low propensity voters. Zoom Registration
|
LWVMP Receives Grant!
LWVMP’s work to help restore the voting rights of previously incarcerated people has earned funding from the LWVUS’ Former and Currently Incarcerated Persons Voter Registration Grant program. The LWVMP Formerly Incarcerated grant team is developing printed material, social media content, an online resource page, and informational meetings. The team’s goal is to create awareness and provide guidance and resources for formerly incarcerated individuals and those interested in supporting efforts to help restore their voting rights.
Originally our country was created to benefit the white, wealthy few; this continues to permeate our society and institutions. From arrest to conviction to sentencing, we discriminate against Black, Brown, Native American, economically disadvantaged, unsheltered, and disabled individuals. A 2021 report from the Sentencing Project shows that communities of color are disproportionately represented in America’s prisons. Once formerly incarcerated individuals are back in their communities, they get counted in the census, hold jobs, pay taxes, raise families, and contribute to their communities – they also should have the right to a voice in their government. But they don’t always. Nationally, 1-in-16 voting age Black citizens are disenfranchised. In some states, that rate can rise as high as 1-in-7.
In Arizona, people who have completed their sentence and probation may be eligible to have their voting rights restored. Unfortunately, the complex process can be difficult to navigate, and can take months or years. Further, some of these individuals may never have been registered to vote prior to their incarceration and are not familiar with the process. With this grant, LWVMP will work to help demystify the process and provide information on resources that can assist these individuals more fully reintegrate into our communities. Stay tuned for more updates and information sessions that will help our members more fully understand the issue of felony disenfranchisement and what they can do to help. | Why Focus on Housing Now?
The answer depends on two additional questions about housing in the Phoenix metro area...
1. Are more poor and middle-income families and individuals being priced out of habitable, affordable, and safe single-family homes and rental apartments as rents and mortgage rates soar?
2. Are there more “unhoused” individuals - those persons we have called “homeless” who have no shelter - living on the streets and alleys of our city because of circumstances not under their control?
If our answer to the first two simple, but crucial, questions is Yes, then we need to ask ourselves two more important questions:
> What is causing these housing trends, and how do they relate to historical factors such as zoning laws, lending criteria, housing covenants, income trends, trends in federal investments in housing, and demographic changes, as well as the political attitudes and decisions by local officials and by state and federal legislators?
> What is our responsibility as members of the League of Women Voters? As responsible members of the LWV and of our communities, should we call for specific action that will enable more people in our communities to buy and rent housing that they can afford?
The current housing crisis isn’t just about the unhoused, or about market economics, or about local politics. It’s about how it affects all of us as human beings. All people have a right to decent, safe, habitable shelter in an environmentally healthy community, where they can live peacefully and wholesomely, raise their children, foster their culture and share in their community's life.
In its introductory statement, the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development declares "Housing is the foundation on which we live, grow, and thrive.” According to HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, “We deliver this Strategic Plan at a pivotal moment. The United States is grappling with a crisis in affordable housing, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, it is harder to find an affordable home in America than at any point since the 2008 financial crisis. Racial bias in the home appraisal process erodes equity in homeownership and robs communities of color of the opportunity to build generational wealth. Far too many families are experiencing homelessness, when they need and deserve a safe, stable place to call home.”
The HUD Secretary goes on to summarize the plan’s underlying philosophy: “…[W]e understand that a quality home in a thriving community provides the foundation for a good life. Children who grow up in stable and healthy homes have a better chance to succeed in school and achieve their dreams. Adults who live in an affordable home near good jobs will have a greater opportunity to enjoy economic security and begin saving to buy a place to call their own.”
LWVMP is undertaking a close study of the housing crisis in our regional backyard with a view toward identifying both problems and potential solutions.This study will culminate in a LWVMP Public Policy Position on Housing that can be used for education and advocacy. Lack of available and/or affordable housing affects all of us, and we need to work with our communities, community leaders, organizations that serve the unhoused and the poor, people of color, ethnic minorities, the housing developers and managers, government agencies, and, just as importantly, with everyone who needs a home.
Our first steps, as with everything in League, will be to educate ourselves about existing LWVUS policies and positions on housing as well as housing positions adopted by other state and local Leagues. If this issue is of interest to you please consider joining the Housing Study Team! To join or for more information please email Betsy Flaten at infolwvmp@gmail.com
| | New Youth Voter Program!
We provide an engaging presentation to high school and college students to help them understand why it is important to vote! In addition to educating, we help develop their intention to vote and overcome barriers to casting a ballot. We also increase awareness of how voting can bring about change that could have significant impact on their lives. Real life situations are discussed, such as higher education costs, housing, wages, women’s health, climate, and social and criminal justice issues!
Our goal is to energize our youth to becoming lifelong voters by building the confidence and skills needed to participate in our democracy. We provide registration information and VOTE 411 access for all their voter education needs. If you are interested in participating in this program or would like more information please contact us at infolwvmp@gmail.com.
| | | Join Us in Making Democracy Work!
It feels good to Defend Democracy and Empower Voters! Take a moment to review our website LWVMetroPhoenix.org and learn more about what we do... from registering voters to observing and reporting on government meetings.
You can make a difference in four ways:
Attend Events - LWVMP is active with a presence at numerous public events throughout the year. We register voters, we host nonpartisan candidate debate and we educate the public on voting rights, fair elections and the citizen's right to know about local issues.
Volunteer - The League is an all-volunteer membership organization. Here are just a few of the tasks where you could make a difference: Grant Writers, Event Planning, Analyze Ballot Measures, Write Articles, Research Public Policy, and more
Donate - You can support us by donating to our Educational Fund 501(c)3 or to support League Activities 501(c)4.
Join the League - Your membership in LWVMetroPhoenix automatically includes membership in the Arizona LWV and the National League of Women Voters. Membership magnifies your impact on defending democracy, protecting the freedom to vote, civil liberties, and social and environmental justice.
| Visit our New Website
We encourage you to check out each of the tabs on the top navigation bar and explore the various pages that appear in the dropdown list. This isyour go-to place for everything happening at LWVMP. It is also a great place for your friends and neighbors to learn more about our work – and where they can Join or Donate!
The website is divided into 5 categories:
- Voter Resources: Voter Registration, Voting Rights, Election Information and Your Government
- Our Work: Public Policy Positions, Advocacy and Action, and Voter Services
- News and Events: Event Calendar and Newsletters
- How to Get Involved: Our Committees, How to Join, Ways to Give and Ways to Volunteer
- About Us: Our Mission, Leadership Teams, and League History
Explore it now and discover more about the work we do for Democracy!
|  | US Supreme Court decision preserves Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, ensuring continued protections for fair representation! The ruling affirms lower court decision that Alabama must create a second majority black Congressional District in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.
Voting Rights groups file litigation to protect voting rights of Mississippians with Disabilities! The lawsuit challenges bills that block most Mississippians from helping friends and neighbors deliver absentee ballots.
>>Lawsuit to protect voters in Arizona from intimidation at drop boxes is settled!<<
| |