Relish for Confusion: The Democracy Unleashed
Democracy is not neat or quiet; it thrives on chaos. Molly Ivins' documentary premiered at Sundance. Cynics seem smarter with evidence, but optimism stands strong. LWVTX prepares for the legislative session, advocating for voting rights and empowering citizens to defend democracy. Get involved, collaborate with groups, and make your voice heard.
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Presentation Transcript
The thing about democracy, beloveds, is that it is not neat, orderly, or quiet. It requires a certain relish for confusion. You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to. Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins finally debuted at Sundance Film Festival last week! (Google it for trailers and more) It's hard to argue against cynics they always sound smarter than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side.
86th Legislative Session Preparation Voting Rights & Election Laws Cinde Weatherby LWVTX Voting Rights & Election Law Issue Chair
Basic Principles + Research, Study, Consensus Basic Principles + Research, Study, Consensus Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. Impact on Issues Exhaustive history of resulting positions LWV.org Program Perspectives Legislative history & positions every citizen should be protected in the right to vote; that every person should have access to free public education that provides equal opportunity for all; and that no person or group should suffer legal, economic, or administrative discrimination. My.lwv.org/Texas Priority Issues & We Support Brochures Find all on LWVTX Advocacy website page.
LWVTX Legislative Contact LWVTX Legislative Contact LWVTX Issue Chairs Collaborate & compare notes with other friendly groups Benefit from paid staffers ongoing work Provide basic talking points to LWV members about our issues Local League Members Play Significant Roll Constituents rule! Review Action Papers on priorities & prepare to discuss Provide copy of 3 Priority Issues brochures to Member/staffers
Local League Legislative Contact Local League Legislative Contact Preparation & Visit Ideally pre-arrange visit with member or staff & be on time Find the room in advance HINT: Use Texas Tribune website on smartphone for room # & maps If Member unavailable, express gratitude to talk with staff Research your Member s bills already filed & committee assignments Ask about Member s priorities for session Be prepared to present basics of 3 LWVTX priority positions Be courteous and never unpleasant or disagreeable Best to go in pairs or more with pre-arranged note-taker Get photos of your group with Member or staff
Immediately After Your Legislative Visit Immediately After Your Legislative Visit Use Your Smart Phone for Super Easy Reporting Open browser & go to: https://my.lwv.org/texas/league-advocacy Scroll down past Janet s blog to see: Legislative Visit Feedback Please use the Legislative Visit Form to provide feedback on visits with elected officials. Keep it open in your search engine to use after each visit!
After Local League Legislative Contact After Local League Legislative Contact Timely Follow-Up Communication & Reporting Quickly send written thank you notes (to members & staffers) for your meeting Be certain to thank again when posting photos on Local League social media & remember to tag Legislators & LWVTX
Voting Rights Messaging* Voting Rights Messaging* Disturbing evidence that majority of public believes illegal voting occurs on significant scale (all demographics) Many are concerned about our elections, and trust has been shaken. There are common-sense steps we can take to safeguard our elections and Americans right to vote so everyone s vote gets counted. *With appreciation to TCRP, Topos Partnership & Lake Research Partners
Voting Rights Messaging Voting Rights Messaging DOs & DON Ts* DOs & DON Ts* DO DON T Lead with values like freedom, equality, trust and responsibility Lead with fraud or suppression Offer pro-voter solutions, describe system change needed to achieve a truly representative democracy (early voting, electronic voter registration, etc.) Talk about voting problems without offering any solutions Boost trust in state and local election administrators, support well-funded elections systems that can protect the right to vote AND the veracity of elections Foment fears about voter data security and hacking, do much hand wringing Connect voting to specific issues tailored to your audience Talk about voting as a siloed issue *With appreciation to TCRP, Topos Partnership & Lake Research Partners
LWVTX Voting Rights/Election Law Priorities LWVTX Voting Rights/Election Law Priorities Our Top Priority Asks Electronic Voter Registration Modern/proven technology Much more ACCURATE More integrity (safer/secure) Significant $$$ savings Meets urgent need for reliability & integrity Improved Voting Equipment & Systems More confidence in results with transition to voting machines with paper backup record of each vote More reliable/accurate Post-election audits Safer/more secure to rquire routine cybersecurity training of election officials Meets urgent need for reliability & integrity
LWVTX Voting Rights/Election Law Bills LWVTX Voting Rights/Election Law Bills Possible Improvements Same day registration State voting holiday every Nov. in even- numbered years 17-yr-old voting in primaries if 18 on election day Required voting locations on larger college campuses More types of IDs Cell phones in voting booth for info Register to Vote specialty license plates to fund SOS voter education Remove cap on county-wide vote center polling places Specific Bills Tracking 83 bills already (March 8 is last day to file) each will change before hearings 8 bills on electronic/online voter registration 4 bills on election equipment or process Threats Show Your Papers to register Reducing Early Voting days More ballot by mail penalties for those assisting the voter Taking photo of voters suspected of inauthentic ID
Continuing Local League Impact Continuing Local League Impact Help with Committee Contact When Needed Or Other Contact House Elections Rep. Stephanie Klick, Ch. Rep. Philip Cortez, Vice Ch. Rep. John H. Bucy III Rep. Dustin Burrows Rep. Briscoe Cain Rep. Celia Israel Rep. Mayes Middleton Rep. Valoree Swanson Senate State Affairs Sen. Joan Huffman, Ch. Sen. Bryan Hughes, Vice Ch. Sen. Brian Birdwell Sen. Brandon Creighton Sen. Pat Fallon Sen. Bob Hall Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. Sen. Jane Nelson Sen. Judith Zaffirini - Calendars Committee - Redistricting Committee - Others you know who could help with contact
LWVTX Redistricting & 2020 Census Priorities LWVTX Redistricting & 2020 Census Priorities Our Top Priority Asks Independent Redistricting Commission Ranked, nonpartisan criteria Keeping communities together Increased transparency Public hearings & outreach campaign Requiring Supermajority vote 2020 Census HB 255 State-level Complete Count Commission HB 104 Record count of incarcerated persons in place of last residence, not prison (prison gerrymandering)
Questions, Comments, Discussion Questions, Comments, Discussion So keep fighting for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don't forget to have fun doin' it. Be outrageous... rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce. And when you get through celebrating the sheer joy of a good fight, be sure to tell those who come after how much fun it was! Molly Ivins Cinde Weatherby cindeweatherby@gmail.com; 512.560.1334
