League of Women Voters Reacts to Pence-Kobach Election Commission
07/19/2017 | by Sarah Courtney
Washington, DC – League of Women Voters president Chris Carson issued the following statement in response to the first meeting of the ‘Election Integrity’ Commission:
“This Commission is undermining the public’s confidence in our elections. We’ve already seen thousands of voters cancel their registrations since Commission vice-chair and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach requested personal voter information from all fifty states.
“The members of this Commission have a history of voter suppression efforts. Despite their claims of having no agenda, they have entered into this voter ‘study’ with preconceived results. This fishing expedition for voter information is intended to lead to more voter suppression – not improving our election process.
“Democracy only works when people stand up and vote. The League of Women Voters urges the American people not to be intimidated by this Commission: stay enrolled and encourage others to register to vote.
“Our elections have integrity. This Commission does not.”
Request for Voter Records
From LWV US:
LWV Statement on Kobach Request for Voter Records
League Opposes Kobach Request for Voter Records
WASHINGTON, DC- The request for voter records confirms fears of Kris Kobach continuing his tactics of voter suppression and the genesis of the Elections Integrity Commission in general. The League of Women Voters president, Chris Carson released this statement on the issue:
“There is no justification for this giant fishing expedition. The Commission itself is a distraction from the real issue of voter suppression, and that efforts to ‘investigate voter fraud’ threaten our most fundamental voting rights.
“This most recent move by Mr. Kobach is an indicator that the so-called Election ‘Integrity’ Commission is not interested in facts, but false accusations and dangerous policy recommendations.
“State laws govern the release of voter registration information, and, at a minimum, election officials must follow those laws before releasing data. The League stands with those state leaders who have already come out to support their voters and refuse these requests from Mr. Kobach and the EIC.”
Contact: Sarah Courtney | 202-263-1332 | scourtney@lwv.org
Action Alert – Health Care
ACTION ALERT – HEALTH CARE
June 2017
From LWV-US:
Legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – called “The American Health Care Act” – is about to be up for a vote in the Senate.
“The American Health Care Act” was developed in secret and is being rushed to passage. It will rip apart our healthcare and revoke coverage for millions of Americans while raising costs for millions more.
The “American Health Care Act” is un-American. It will increase costs for seniors and those with pre-existing conditions, while slashing assistance for lower-income households in obtaining coverage. It will also threaten the essential care that women need. In fact, the only real winners under this new legislation are the big interests and the wealthiest Americans. Hundreds of billions in tax breaks are included for the wealthy and the pharmaceutical and insurance industries.
Tell our Senators that means that there will be fewer people covered, weaker protections and higher costs for Americans.
Call today!
Senator Claire McCaskill – (202) 224-6154
Senator Roy Blunt – (202) 224-5721
Challenge to Photo Voter ID Law
LWVMO Among Groups to Challenge Missouri Photo ID Law in Court
Jefferson City, Mo. — June 8, 2017 – Advancement Project’s National Office and The American Civil Liberties Union today sued Missouri over the state’s new photo ID law.
The case was filed on behalf of the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP and the League of Women Voters of Missouri. The groups are seeking a temporary restraining order to block the law from being in effect during a local special election on July 11. In-person absentee voting for this election begins this Monday, June 12. An additional 52 Missouri counties go to the polls on August 8.
The request was made in part because Missouri’s chief elections official, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, has admitted the state would be unable to implement the requirements of restrictive photo ID law in time for this election and the state has yet to allocate funds to the Secretary to implement the law.
“Missouri’s restrictive photo ID law was designed to make it harder for people to vote,” said Denise Lieberman, Co-Director of Power and Democracy at Advancement Project’s national office, and coordinator of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition. “It is a gimmick that – as we’ve seen in other states – inevitably leads to blocking people from the ballot, especially people of color, young voters, seniors, women, and people with disabilities. This suppressive effect is magnified once the state fails to hold its end of the bargain. It is beyond unacceptable that the state of Missouri has launched a photo ID requirement while not sufficiently preparing, educating voters, or funding it. As a result, the burden is now falling on the backs of voters.”
“Voters were promised that this law was not about disenfranchising the most vulnerable in our state,” said Tony Rothert, legal director of the ACLU of Missouri. “The state’s lack of funding and implementation of this law tells another story.”
“States are not allowed to make an end run around voting rights by forcing burdensome changes to election law and then failing to provide the required funding for proper implementation,” said Sophia Lakin, an attorney with the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project.
Texas, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania are among the states that have already been reprimanded by the courts for disastrous implementation of their voter ID laws and inadequate, confusing voter education.
The case, Missouri NAACP v. Missouri, was filed in Cole County Circuit Court.
Voter ID
June 1, 2017
Missouri’s New Photo ID Requirements
H.B. 1631 legislation, enacting Missouri’s new photo ID requirements for voting, is implemented on June 1.
Along with the Secretary of State, county clerks, and election authorities, the League of Women Voters works to ensure every citizen has the opportunity and information to register and exercise their right to vote. For almost 100 years, the League has been, and continues to be dedicated to ensuring a free, fair and accessible electoral system for all eligible citizens. Our goal is to safeguard the rights of all qualified voters—particularly those from traditionally underrepresented or underserved communities, including first-time voters, non-college youth, new citizens, minorities, seniors, low-income, and women.
We continue to work to make certain every eligible voter has both the opportunity and information needed to exercise their right to vote. We believe in America, democracy, and the right of all citizens to participate in their government.
League of Women Voters
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Protecting Voters
Rooted in the movement that secured the right to vote for women, the League has worked to foster civic engagement and enhance access to the vote since our organization was founded in 1920. Over time our work has evolved from efforts to gain and foster women’s suffrage to ensuring that all eligible voters – particularly those from traditionally underrepresented or underserved communities, including first-time voters, non-college youth, new citizens, minorities and low-income Americans – have the opportunity and the information they need to exercise their right to vote.
LWVMO 63rd State Convention
LWVMO 63rd State Convention
Friday, April 28- Saturday, April 29, 2017
Springfield, MO
Friday, April 28
The Convention will start on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m., followed by an early evening reception at Missouri State University’s Kenneth E. Meyer Alumni Center located in downtown Springfield and within walking distance of lots of great local eating and drinking establishments.
Saturday, April 29
Saturday’s meeting will be held at Drury University’s Trustee Science Center. This day will begin at 9:00 a.m., will include lunch, and will run until 3:00 p.m.
Guest Speakers
Keynote Speaker—Crystal Quade
Crystal Quade is a newly elected member of the Missouri House of Representatives who has been named Vice President of the Freshman Legislative Class.
Lindsey Baker, Missouri Budget Project
Lindsey Baker will share information from the Missouri Budget Project, an organization which provides independent, objective research and analysis of state budget and tax issues.
Silent Auction Challenge!
The silent auction will be a bit different this year. We are asking each of the eight Missouri Leagues to put together a basket or box of goodies that represent their area and their local businesses.
Hotel Accommodations
The Holiday Inn Express on 1117 St. Louis St. in Springfield will have rooms reserved at a conference rate, first come first served. They have standard king or double rooms for the rate of $104. A free breakfast is included. For reservations, call (417) 862-0070. Mention “League of Women Voters” when registering. Deadline for this rate: March 29.
Registration Fee is $50. Deadline to Register: April 8.
Click here for details on the hotel, convention schedule and locations: Convention Schedule & Locations.
Click here for registration form and Delegate information: Registration Form and Delegate Information
Fall Conference
League of Women Voters of Missouri
Fall Conference
Saturday, November 12, 2016
9:00 a.m. (registration) to 3:00 p.m.
State Fair Community College
Heckart Science Auditorium
3201 W. 16th, Sedalia
Join us for our annual fall workshops in Sedalia. We will explore a variety of topics. Here is the agenda:
9 to 9:30 registration
9:30 to 10:30 President’s welcome and opening remarks
10:30 to 11:15 Rudi Keller Columbia Tribune State House reporter speaking on Journalism and its role in the election and the future of newspapers
11:15 to 11:30 Kathleen Boswell speaking on The Cost of Citizenship and the Trials of Immigration
11:30 to 12:00 Springfield LWV and how it grew
12:00 lunch of soup, sandwich and salads
1:00 Nick LaStrada, Pettis County Clerk, giving an overview of the elections in Missouri and the status of election equipment
2:00 Zack Hayes, chemistry professor at SFCC, telling us Everything You Need to Know About Clean Water
2:45 Wrap-up
The registration fee, which includes breaks, lunch and information packet is $15. Registration deadline is November 7 (but you can pay at the door).
Hotel Accommodations—Sedalia
If you want to come to Sedalia on Friday, there is a block of rooms being held at the Comfort Inn Sedalia Station, 3600 West Broadway (Highway 50), Sedalia, MO 65301. Call 660-829-5959. Room rate is $82 + tax – single or double (2 queen)
This rate is available until October 16 – so make your reservation now – you can always cancel.
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LWVMO Fall Conference Registration Form
November 12, 2016 – – Sedalia, MO
Local League ______________________________________________
Names of Persons attending:
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Registration fee is $15 per person. Reservation required by November 7!
Amount enclosed: _________________________________
Mail to: LWVMO, 8706 Manchester Road, Suite 104, St. Louis, MO 63144
Celebrate the Vote!
Celebrate the Vote!
St. Louis
Saturday, September 3, 2016
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Central Library, Kauffman and Poelker Parks
We will be reenacting the 1916 parade with gold sashes and historic displays of women’s suffrage participants and activities.
The St. Louis Public Library, Missouri History Museum, City of St. Louis, and other institutions and organizations join the League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis in organizing this event.
Speakers, music, displays, informational booths, and reenactments will be open to all on Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
So, put it on your calendars and join us in St. Louis to Celebrate the Vote!
HONOR the suffragists of the past.
CELEBRATE how far we have come.
ENERGIZE to make your voice heard today!
For details, click here:
http://www.lwvstl.org/ctv_festival.html
Rachel Farr Fitch Award
At the LWVMO Spring Conference in Columbia, the Rachel Farr Fitch Health Care Award was presented to the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri.
In the photo, left to right: Ann Elwell, Kelly Wood, Leslie Carrier, Lois Detrick
The Award recognizes their outstanding project on the Accessibility and Affordability of Mental Health Services in Greene County. In the course of two years beginning in May 2013, the LWV of SW MO conducted more than 20 informational activities and met with mental health care service providers, members of law enforcement, correctional and judicial systems, advocacy/support groups, local and state officials, and families of mental health patients. During the course of their study, they determined that, although a wide variety of services is available locally, funding is inadequate and the supply does not meet the demand. The Greene County jail is, by default, the largest mental health facility in Southwest Missouri. State funding continues to decrease.
The LWV-SWMO moved into the advocacy phase of the project in August 2015. They convened the Ozarks Mental Health Network. As a result of their study, they will continue to review solutions developed in other communities, and to develop relationships in the community. They agreed to: promote mental/behavioral health as a public policy issue on par with physical health and physical disabilities; advocate for increased accessibility and affordability of mental health care services for adults in Greene County with treatment based on need and not on the ability to pay; support efforts to divert mentally ill people from the Greene County jail and into appropriate mental health treatment; advocate for additional funding structures for mental health care; and encourage and work with other organizations seeking to promote accessibility and affordability of mental health services for all.
