Members Matter and Voters Voice - League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix

July 4th marks an opportunity to celebrate our collective patriotism and commitment to democracy and freedom and look to the future with a clear eye on the challenges ahead. Our democratic processes are under assault in a myriad of ways, designed to disrupt the free and safe elections so treasured by our founders. Mis- and disinformation efforts to restrict access to the voting process, destructive foreign actors seeking to influence election outcomes, and the influence of dark money are examples of forces impacting our ability to vote with confidence that our elections are free, fair, and safe.

We have much to celebrate this month. Our members have been actively collecting signatures in support of the Arizona for Abortion Access campaign to amend the Arizona Constitution. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the total of 823,658 signatures delivered to the Secretary of State on July 3.

Deadlines for the primary elections in July are rapidly approaching, and we need your help. We have been working around the clock preparing ballot initiative information, registering voters, and running the “Get Out the Vote” campaign to ensure voters have the tools to cast their ballot. The focus for upcoming weeks will be supporting the Voter Services team in their presence at various events. Your participation is required to reach as many people as possible during this crucial 2024 election cycle.

On a different note, I would like to welcome Gretchen Bolerjack to the vacant Secretary position for the remainder of the term. Also new to the board is Mark Giles, who will serve the remainder of the term in the Director position that was vacated by Gretchen when she was appointed Secretary.

The League of Women Voters remains a trusted source of objective information and advocates for the rights of all voters to participate fully in the democratic process. I recently attended the LWVUS Convention in Washington, D.C., along with delegates from all over Arizona. It was an opportunity to hear from local leagues nationwide and see how shared values and dedication create a powerful force for the future.

I look forward to working with all the Metro Phoenix members as we provide knowledgeable and objective support to secure everyone’s right to participate fully in the democratic election process!

In League Service,

Marcia Barry, President

LWV Metro Phoenix

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Save these dates!

Click on the links to register...

LWVAZ is providing the following training webinars in July:

Thursday, July 11, 6-7 pm: Get Out the Vote - Training on texting and phoning to primary voters. Register here
Friday, July 12, 6-7 pm: Get Out the Vote - Training on texting and phoning to primary voters. Register here
Monday, July 15, 6-7 pm: VOTE411 LWV Digital Voter Guide - Learn about the rich content and how to help voters navigate the site. Register here
Monday, July 22, 6-7 pm: League Funding - Understanding our non-profit status and financial structures (501(c)(4) and 501(c)(3)). Register here
Monday, July 29, 6-7 pm: Board Operations and Fiduciary Responsibility - Review league policies, fiduciary responsibilities, the duty of care, confidentially, and bylaws. Register here

Election Protection Arizona Training Webinars

Tuesday, July 9, 6-7 pm

Saturday, July 13, 1-2 pm

Wednesday, July 17, 6-7 pm

Saturday, July 20, 1-2 pm

Wednesday, July 17, 12:00 noon: “Lunch and Learn” webinar on Abolishing Private Prisons. We will be discussing the roots of mass incarceration, the detrimental impact of for-profit prisons, and how we can collectively advocate for change. Register here.

Wednesday, July 17, 6-8 pm: Commemoration and Action Honoring John Lewis. Join us for a TEACH IN event with presentations on the three Voting Rights Acts before Congress, a Commemoration and Action Honoring John Lewis, and a Get Out the Vote texting event to Primary Voters! Meeting location is at the Chambers Law Office, 2198 E Camelback, #380, Phoenix. Register Here: John Lewis Day of Action July 17

VOTER SERVICES

Commemoration and Action Honoring John Lewis

America is at a crossroads.

Three years have passed since the failed attack on our nation and our democracy on January 6th, 2021. Since that day, anti-voter laws have been passed in states all over the country, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings have made it clear that it will not act to protect the sacred right to vote.

But there is hope for us to stop this undercurrent of corruption and rebuild American democracy so that our elections are free and fair for all citizens, our politicians stay accountable to the law, and our representatives respond to We the People. To do this, we must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, Freedom To Vote Act, Native American Voting Rights Act, and Washington D.C. Admission Act - and we can’t let anything, including the Jim Crow filibuster, stand in our way!

Our Champion, former Congressman John Lewis, saw this democracy crisis coming. In the last years of his life, he championed two pieces of federal legislation to secure our democracy: the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Join LWV Metro Phoenix for a TEACH IN event with presentations on the three Voting Rights Acts before Congress, a Commemoration and Action Honoring John Lewis, and a Get Out the Vote texting event to Primary Voters!
July 17, 2024, 6-8 pm Location is the Chambers Law Offices, 2198 E Camelback, #380, Phoenix

6:00 pm Welcome reception with authentic African American food & beverages

6:30 pm Presentation commemorating and honoring John Lewis, including information on key legislation and how to use the LWV to contact your Legislators to demand support.

7:00 pm Training for “Get Out the Vote” texting event. We will train members on texting to voters in Maricopa County to get their ballots mailed or have a plan to vote in the Primary on July 30th

8:00 pm Program ends

Energizing Young Voters - Call for Volunteers
Our Energizing Young Voters program is gaining significant momentum in our communities, and we are excited to share some updates on our recent and upcoming activities. We are looking for enthusiastic members to join our Youth Voter Team to support the community partnerships listed below. This pre-packaged program is easy to work with and resonates deeply with young voters, defined as those aged 18-29, the largest segment of unregistered voters in America.
Current Community Partners:
Rio Salado Community College Campuses
ASU Downtown & West Campuses
Saguaro High School Scottsdale
... and we are discussing a voter registration drive this fall with Phoenix Mercury!
You can be part of a team making a real impact in the community by registering and motivating young voters to participate in democracy. If interested, please email our Program Lead, Kara Pelletier, at kara_pelletier@yahoo.com.
“Energizing Youth Voters” is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause and fulfill the League's mission: Make Democracy Work for Everyone. Thank you for your dedication and support. Join the “Energizing Young Voters Program” today.

Future Voter Services Events

Save the date and volunteer for the Phoenix Pride Festival (Oct 19-20). We still need tabling captains for Saturday, and we still need volunteers for all shifts on Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday afternoon captain is an easy job, as you just need to put things away on-site! Phoenix Pride Festival is an excellent opportunity to get the word out about election information and VOTE411. Link: Phoenix Pride Festival Tabling
Upcoming Voter Services Meetings
August 6, 4:30 pm. The main topic will be continuing to plan for and review upcoming voter registration and GOTV events. Voter Services Aug 6 registration link.
September 10, 4:30 pm, We will quickly review how to do voter registration and confirm events for September and October. Voter Services Sep 10 registration link

ADVOCACY

LWVMP Delegates Attend 2024 LWV National Convention

Eight delegates from LWVMP joined more than 1,200 members from all fifty states and the District of Columbia and Virgin Islands at the League’s 56th National Convention, held in person in Washington, DC, from June 28 to June 30. We participated in Lobby Day on Thursday, visiting the offices of five Arizona Congressmen: Rep. Crane, Rep. Gallego, Rep. Grijalva, Rep. Schweikert, and Rep. Stanton. Then we participated in seminars and workshops, including Immigration, Restoration of Voting Rights, Gun Safety, Engaging Young Voters, Observing Elections, Program Planning, and the National Popular Vote. Watch the panel discussion of One Person, One Vote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS_5nuf2JRs&t=53s

MEMBERSHIP

Growing our Membership and League power

Thanks to our ten Renewing Members: Kevin Caron, Dale Domzalski, Beverly Eden, Sandra Kaszeta, Faye McIver, Diana Nashban, Carol & Bill Poole, Mary Tripp, and Mary Westheimer.

Engagement Highlights

As we gear up for the big election, your League membership is your ticket to making a difference in November. Over the next four months, you’ll see many ways to get involved. Every member is one click away to help Get Out The Vote for the upcoming primary election, encourage candidates to make their positions known to voters on VOTE411org, register new voters, and countless other opportunities to Engage Voters and Defend Democracy.

LWVAZ NEWS

Arizona for Abortion Access
Over 823K Petition Signatures Submitted!
On Wednesday, 7/3/24, the Arizona for Abortion Access coalition submitted 823,685 signatures to the AZ Secretary of State, more than double the signatures necessary to qualify for the ballot to amend Arizona's constitution and enshrine our right to abortions. These numbers represent the largest citizen's initiative signature submission in our state's history.
A heartfelt thanks to our dedicated volunteers who distributed, collected, notarized, and signed petitions supporting this critical initiative. We had over 100 League-coordinated volunteers across the state, with Metro Phoenix members collecting over 3,000 signatures.
We are now one giant step closer to securing access to abortion healthcare in our state. Freedom to decide whether and when to give birth to a child is a fundamental human right, and together, we will ensure people who become pregnant can make these personal healthcare decisions while maintaining their privacy, dignity, and safety.
Next steps: Please support our Get Out The Vote efforts as we campaign to pass the Ballot Proposition in November. Stay tuned for details.

VOTE411 is Live!

The VOTE411 Voters’ Guide is now available just in time for early voting, which started on July 3. Please take a moment to check it out. Go to https://www.vote411.org, enter your address, and read your candidates’ responses to the questions written by League members. The Guide includes federal, state, county, and city races. In addition, the Guide provides information on the election and voting processes, where and how to vote, and more. The candidates still have time to respond, so check back regularly.

We invited all candidates, including incumbents, unopposed, and write-ins. Although we have asked (repeatedly!), many have yet to answer or acknowledge receiving the invitation.

What can I do to help? So glad you asked!
Candidate reminders
Step 1: Go to VOTE411.org, enter your address, and check if your candidates answered our questions. Ask your friends and family around the state to do the same.
Step 2: If your candidates have answered our questions, thank them! Tag or message them on social media: “Thank you @candidate name, for participating in @VOTE411 so voters can be informed before casting their vote!"
Step 3: If your candidates have NOT answered our questions, ask them to do so as soon as possible! When candidates know that voters care about what they stand for, it is in their best interest to respond.

Nothing is more persuasive than a phone call or email from a constituent urging the candidate to complete the VOTE411 questionnaire! Several members and interns have been calling candidates, and they have responded. Please volunteer to make calls!
Tag or message your candidates on their social media platforms and urge them to answer the League's questions: “As a voter, I want to hear where my candidates stand on the issues. That’s why I’m calling on @[candidate] to participate in @VOTE411 Voters’ Guide so we can be informed before casting our ballot!” If you need candidate contact info or if you or a candidate have any questions, please email LWVAZadvocacy@gmail.com

Promote VOTE411.org

Promote @VOTE411 on your social media platforms and share information about VOTE411 with local groups you belong to, such as Nextdoor, your local legislative district organizations, and special interest groups

Please follow us on Instagram (@lwvarizona) and Facebook and share our posts on your social media platforms.

Spread the word among friends, relatives, neighbors - everyone in your personal and professional network. You have the power to influence and inform others

TIP: If you want to see races in other parts of the state or other states, go to https://www.vote411.org/ballot. Note that races within a state are not in alpha order; use your FIND function if you are looking for a specific race. You can also see races in other jurisdictions by entering an address for the city hall or other government building, the main library or google a random street address

A special thanks to our Planning Team and our fantastic state advocacy interns, who spent countless hours gathering and verifying candidate information and reminding them to respond to our questionnaire. And thanks in advance to members who help us close the loop on our unresponsive candidates!

Please email lwvazadvocacy@gmail.com if you need candidates' contact information, have any questions, or if a candidate needs a new invitation

Election Protection Arizona - Sign up to be a Volunteer Poll Monitor
Please join Election Protection Arizona (EPAZ) for the 2024 election season! EPAZ helps with all voting stages, from registration to voting at the polls on Election Day. Join us in helping voters overcome any barrier, from getting the proper voter ID to voting from jail!
About Election Protection Arizona
Election Protection is a national non-partisan coalition with 300+ local, state, and national organizations. Please contact Amanda Lugo via email at amanda@allvotingislocal.org if you have any questions.

Tuesday, July 9, 6-7 pm

Saturday, July 13, 1-2 pm

Wednesday, July 17, 6-7 pm

Saturday, July 20, 1-2 pm

LWVUS NEWS

Incoming President and CEO for 2024-2026

Delegates at the League of Women Voters National Convention elected Dianna Wynn to serve as the 22nd president of the organization on Friday, June 28th, 2024. See the Convention Address by Diana Wynn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qta4BqEVymI
The League’s current chief counsel, Celina Stewart, was the unanimous choice for CEO of LWVUS. In selecting the next CEO, League president Sania Irwin praised Celina’s proven vision, leadership, and credibility to lead the League through transformation. Celina shared her vision of leadership in the next era of the League's story.

LWV METRO PHOENIX BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LWV Metro Phoenix Board of Directors

Officers
President: Marcia Barry
President Elect: Kara Pelletier
Secretary: Gretchen Bolerjack
Treasurer, Finance and Development Committee Chair: Barbara Cricket Mitchell

Board of Directors
Advocacy Committee Chair: Mark Giles
Communications Committee Chair: Connie Cornelius
Forums Committee Chair: Cindy Walsh
League Representative to State Board: Gitelle Seer
Membership Committee Chair: Alexis Lane
Nominations Committee Chair: Jean Conway
Voter Services Chair: Open - Apply Today!

Contact us at InfoLWVMP@gmail.com

I hope you have enjoyed reading this issue of Members Matter! Feel free to share your feedback, ask questions, or request additional information about the League. You may email me at infolwvmp@gmail.com.
In League Service,
Marcia Barry, LWVMP President

Subscribe Here League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix Contact Us

LWV Metro Phoenix, 3219 E Camelback Road, #187, Phoenix, AZ 86018

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