| August 2024 |
| Vol. 70 No. 9 | | |
|
Lawsuit Updates
Denise Hartsough
Voting Rights
-
Lindsey v Whitmer. On September 28, 2023, eleven lawmakers filed a lawsuit in federal court to invalidate two of Michigan’s recent constitutional amendments concerning elections that LWVMI supported, Proposal 2018-3 and Proposal 2022-2. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court Western District. On April 10, the court granted the state’s request to dismiss the case. On May 7, an appeal was filed by the plaintiffs.
-
RNC v Benson. On March 13, the Republican National Committee and others sued Secretary of State Benson arguing that Michigan is violating the National Voter Registration Act’s requirement to maintain clean and accurate voter registration rolls. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court Western District. LWVMI has petitioned the court to be an intervenor on behalf of Michigan voters.
-
RNC v Whitmer. On July 15, the lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court Western District alleging Governor Whitmer violated the National Voter Registration Act when she issued a directive allowing several state and federal agencies to be used as voter registration agencies, including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
Reproductive Rights
-
Northland v Nessel. On February 12, Northland Family Planning Clinic and others filed a lawsuit challenging the 24-waiting period and informed consent laws. On June 25, the Michigan Court of Claims ruled the laws violate the Michigan Constitutional amendment on choice. The laws have been enjoined.
-
YWCA of Kalamazoo v Michigan. On June 27, the YWCA of Kalamazoo and ACLU of Michigan filed a lawsuit in the Michigan Court of Claims challenging the Michigan law that bans Medicaid funding for abortions.
Thanks to Judy Karandjeff, LWVMI VP for Advocacy for these updates!
| |
| |
|
LWVUS Convention Summary
By Chris Kuthe
The LWV national convention was held June 27-30 in Washington, D.C. Over 80 members from Michigan attended both in person and virtually. MerriKay Oleen-Burkey, Aimee Bedard and Denise Hartsough from LWVKA attended the convention in person. Paula Manley, Ken Manley, Barb Dircks and Chris Kuthe attended the convention virtually.
Paula Manley summed up the experience this way:
I was privileged to be able to attend my 8th LWVUS Convention as a LWVKA virtual delegate and as always learned so much. Attending in person is an impressive experience with all the opportunities to network and learn from Leaguers from around the country. However, the virtual experience allows voting participation in the plenary sessions as well as attending the various workshops offered over the three days. I thought LWVUS managed the hybrid experience, which is a challenging task, very well.
A daily recap of convention events and voting record can be found here:
https://www.lwv.org/league-management/league-fundamentals/2024-convention-daily-briefing
Attendees went to workshops on the following topics:
- Launching the Moonshot: Electing the President by Popular Vote
- Becoming Part of the LWVUS Campaign to Abolish the Electoral College
- Engaging Young Voters, New Americans, Formerly and Currently Incarcerated People
- Redistricting — All Government Levels
- Educate, Register, Participate! Engaging Young Voters
- Ranked Choice Voting: Local Elections, Presidential Primaries and the League
- Effective Storytelling and Relational Organizing to Empower Young Voters to Action
- Moving Hearts, Changing Minds, Using Storytelling for Advocacy
- It’s not a Journalism Problem: It’s a Democracy Problem
- Making It Yours: Implementing and Adapting, Energizing Young Voters’ Educational Modules
- It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Voter Girl (a girl scout program)
- Getting More Candidates to Respond
- Building Effective Coalitions and Partnerships Grounded in DEI
- Proactive Practices and Tactics to Combat Mis/Dis/Mal Information
- Book Banning: How to Fight It
- Just the Beginning: A Century of Political Power and the LWV.
| |
LWVUS Update
By Paula Manley
| |
|
Delegates at the LWVUS Convention approved a national study of the Federal Judiciary. More information will follow in the coming months.
LWVUS has formed partnerships with various national organizations. The most recent announcement at Convention is the partnership with Girl Scouts USA. The Girl Scouts have a national service project “Promote the Vote,” and the League will assist them in using VOTE411.org as the voter education tool.
After a 70-year struggle, the 19th Amendment was close to being ratified. One more state was needed for ratification. The Tennessee Senate passed the amendment, but the Tennessee House debated the issue for six weeks before approving the amendment by one vote on August 18, 1920. Once the certification papers of the Tennessee ratification arrived at Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby’s office in Washington, D.C., he signed the proclamation on August 26, 1920, to add the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution.
As we know, many citizens still could not exercise their right to vote, and the struggle has continued to ensure all citizens have a voice at the ballot box.
| |
|
|
Voter Registration Update
Aimée Bedard
| |
Our busy summer season of Voter Engagement and Registration is well underway. Volunteers registered new voters and provided information on upcoming elections at Kalamazoo Pride, High School Graduation Practices for Loy Norrix, Kalamazoo Central and Gull Lake, Kalamazoo Art Hop, and the Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market. Volunteers gathered to write Get out the Vote postcards which were sent to remind voters about the August Primary. Thank you to our volunteers: Elizabeth Amidon, Kay Anderson, Aedin Clements, Barb Dircks, Connie Ferguson, Leigh Ford, Lisa Fuller, Anne Flynn, Karen Gustafson, Denise Hartsough, Jennie Hill, Chris Kuthe, Moira Macleod, Paula Manley, Carolyn Moelhoek, Regena Nelson, Carol Meyer-Niedzwiecki, MerriKay Oleen-Burkey, Carol Pauly, Kristine Pioche, Kathryn Racette, Silvia Roederer, Judy Sivak, Karl Westra, Sara Wick, and Jackie Wylie.
Be on the lookout for emails requesting volunteers for end of Summer and September volunteer opportunities. We have been invited to table at a number of events to help voters prepare for the November Election. If you are looking to volunteer, we are holding a You’re Invited Gathering on August 20th focused on Voter Registration and Volunteering. We hope to see new and current volunteers. Please reach out to me with any questions.
| |
|
You're Invited
By Barb Dircks
| |
|
Voter registration is more important than ever, and the League has frequent opportunities to perform this service. Those who volunteer to participate, talk to citizens, pass out materials, explain ballot applications, and answer questions about the changes to voting laws. If you are interested in learning about volunteering or want a refresher course, mark your calendar for this social hour with a purpose.
You're Invited to gather at Aedin Clements' house on the evening of August 20th at 5:30. Light snacks will be provided—you bring what you would like to drink, and we will share information and answer questions. Please contact Barb Dirks or Aedín Clements with any questions.
| |
|
|
E.V.E.N.T.S. Committee
By Barb Dircks
| | |
|  |
|
This group meets once a month; it offers a chance to brainstorm and share ideas on planning around both routine topics, such as Observer Corps and Social Media issues. as well as raising ideas on ways to promote additional League work. All interested members are welcome!
Contact barbdircks@gmail.com for further information. The next meeting will be on National Voter Day, August 17th at 10:30 a.m.
| |
|
LWVKA Book Group
By Aedín Clements
| |
|
Led by Sue Nelmes, our July meeting discussed Rachel Maddow’s Prequel. On our September 17th meeting we plan to discuss Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants. Some of us may have heard the author speak at Chenery Auditorium, as she was the speaker for this year’s Terry Todd International Speaker Series of the Kalamazoo Nature Center.
The Book Group will have its next meeting on Tuesday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m., at Kazoo Books on Parkiew.
| |
|
News from the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environmental Justice Committee
By Aedín Clements
| | |
|
Current work led by Ruth Caputo involves working to improve the ability of municipalities to purchase plants from vendors who stock native plants from this area. This committee’s next meeting (zoom) will be on Friday, August 2, at 9 a.m. Contact Chris Kuthe for a zoom link if you would like to attend. | | |
|
Membership
By Jennifer Snyder
Since our last newsletter, LWVKA has welcomed several new members: Andrea Allen, Margaret Dupuis, Lotta Jarnefelt-Burns, Rose Lindy and Peter Zillman of Kalamazoo; Michele Behr and Patrice Ostradick of Portage; Diane Mackie and Liane Smith of Marshall; and Susan Sobeck of Schoolcraft.
Beginning next year, the League’s membership renewal process will change nationwide. As we transition to a new system, it will be especially important that we have accurate contact information for all members, including email addresses for partners or others who share your household membership! Please contact Membership Chair Jennifer Snyder, jsyndergaardsnyder@gmail.com, with this information.
| |
|
Special Tributes
Jessica Reiser
in Memory of Julia Costello
Jeanne Hess
in Memory of her mother Carolyn Sellman
Tiffany Jackson
in Memory of Lois Jackson
Diana Hart
in Memory of Geraldine Hart
| |
|
Calhoun County Unit
By Sue Rosko
| | |
|
|
At the June 11 board meeting, Sue Rosko, outgoing president, shared her expertise with the incoming Management Team: Susan Anderson, Kitty Knoll, Linda Smoot, and Susan Stuart, who brought each other up to date on Voter Services, Vote411 candidate responses, Clerk Engagement, and the next Quick Bite engagement this week. Goals for 2024 were determined so that the board and membership in Calhoun County may be able to “work with what we have and find a way for that to be enough.” Our aims are to promote and uphold voting rights, inform community members about early and absentee voting, register new and first time voters, and invite participation in the election process.
In preparation for the November election, we are seeking volunteers from our membership to help organize Get Out The Vote for these projects: A postcard mailing for 500 and text-banking in our area, a Voter Guide distribution leader. Contact Susan Stuart at 269-580-1378 to volunteer to organize one of these early autumn projects.
This summer, LWVKA/Calhoun offered Voter Registration and informational materials for Vote411.org, Know Your Voting Rights, Early and Absentee voting, and tips on dealing with mis/dis-information at Juneteenth and Pridefest in Battle Creek.
Calhoun’s Management Team will rotate conveners. The next board meeting is Tuesday, August 27, 1:30 PM at Marshall District Library Conference Room. Kitty Knoll will convene.
| |
|
|
|
Election News
Shardae Chambers
Early voting starts this Saturday July 27th and ends August 4th. Kalamazoo county has four sites:
- Kalamazoo County Expo Center 2900 Lake St, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
- Fetzer Center at WMU 2251 Business Ct, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
- Douglass Community Association 1000 W Paterson St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
- Portage Parks & Recreation Department 320 Library Ln, Portage, MI 49002
Sites are open from 9am-5pm. All voters are encouraged to come vote for the August Primary.
Chris Kuthe has emailed LWVKA members to ask for volunteers to participate in observing the County Board of Canvassers following the August elections. She shares the following information:
Being an observer involves watching an hour-long training video at your convenience, committing to a 2.5 to 3 hour time slot for observing, and completing an online observation report. Past observers have been grateful they participated—felt they had contributed to a fair election and learned a great deal about the election process. If you would like to be an observer of this important process or have further questions, please contact Chris Kuthe at ckuthe57@gmail.com. Training Video LInk.
The League is working on a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) textbanking project. Watch your email for an invitation to participate in this easy but effective way to encourage people to vote.
| | | |
|
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy Update
By Chris Kuthe
The LWVKA board voted to update our DEI policy at our June 24th meeting. This change was in following the recommendation of the LWVUS board. Our updated policy is stated below:
Discrimination or harassment of any kind will not be accepted within the League, including but not limited to race, socio-economic status, age, disability status, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, or marital status. The League is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging for all people. The League is an organization that respects and values the richness of our community and our members. The collective sum of our individual differences and life experiences represents not only our culture, but our reputation and the organization's mission and achievements as well.
| |
|
|
Advocacy Works!
By Chris Kuthe
Here is proof that advocacy works. Our own Rick Freiman worked to help get the Homeowners Energy Policy Act through both houses and signed by Governor Whitmer.
Under Public Act 68, called the Homeowners’ Energy Policy Act, Homeowners’ Associations (HOA’s) can no longer prohibit solar energy systems and energy saving equipment (11 types are listed in the act).
Michigan joins 29 other states and the District of Columbia that have similar laws. Within 1 year after the effective date of the act (April 1, 2025 or maybe earlier), each HOA will need to adopt a written solar energy policy statement. The law does not apply to “shared roofs” or “common areas”.
Congratulations and thank you Rick!
https://www.wmuk.org/wmuk-news/2024-07-10/michigan-hoas-cant-stop-residents-from-going-solar-under-a-new-law
| |
|
Changes Coming to Dues Collection
in 2025
By Chris Kuthe
The LWVKA board wanted to give you a heads up that there will be a change in dues collection beginning in January of 2025. Instead of receiving a renewal notice from Jennifer Snyder, our local membership chair, you will be receiving a notice from the League of Women Voters of the United States. Our current dues are $60, the new suggested amount will be $75. If you want to include an extra donation that goes directly to our Kalamazoo League, you will need to do this in a separate transaction. Much more information will be coming to you about this issue in the near future.
| |
|
LWVKA Non-Partisan Policy
By Chris Kuthe
One of the LWVKA’S most important qualities is being non-partisan. Our work registering and educating voters depends on this quality. In this presidential election year, when you are representing the League, it is essential that our actions and words reflect our non-partisan policy. Please take a moment to review:
League of Women Voters of the Kalamazoo Area
Nonpartisan Policy & Guidelines
Nonpartisan Policy & Guidelines
The purpose of the League of Women Voters is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The LWV is nonpartisan in that it takes positions on selected governmental issues after member study and agreement, but does not support or oppose candidates for elective office (whether or not under a party designation), office holders, or political parties. While the LWV urges its members to be politically active, certain constraints are necessary in order to maintain the nonpartisanship of the organization.
Having the responsibility of maintaining the fact of nonpartisanship of the organization, the board of directors of the LWV has established the following guidelines.
Members
Public service and political activity
- Members may serve on any public board, commission, committee, or coalition; however, that member does not represent the LWV unless officially designated as an LWV representative by the LWV board. If the appointment is LWV-related, the appointee should be fully aware of the LWV positions as they relate to the body’s responsibilities.
- Members should not undertake any activity which may constitute a public statement of partisan position that could be attributed to the League.
- League members are asked to avoid wearing candidate buttons to League functions, wearing a LWV button while campaigning for candidate(s) or non-League issues, or posting an LWV “Vote” yard sign along with signs advocating a candidate or party.
- Only petitions approved by the board of directors may be circulated at LWV meetings.
- The LWV member roster may not be made available for non-League use without board consent.
Representing the League
- Members representing the LWV in the community must not allow partisanship to be discernible. These members should be fully aware of LWV positions.
- Once the LWV (local, state, or national) takes a position on an issue, members may not identify themselves as LWV members in publicly expressing an opinion that is in opposition to a LWV position.
- Members who lead studies should not have conflicts of interest or partisan biases which would affect the objective conduct of information gathering and analysis.
- Members in leadership and support roles at public LWV meetings are responsible for ensuring the nonpartisanship of the meeting and its environment, including consideration of their own reputation to maintain a nonpartisan event.
| |
|
Digital Billboards Promote Vote411.org
By Chris Kuthe
We hope you have seen the digital billboards around Kalamazoo that are promoting Vote411.org. These billboards were made possible by a grant we received from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. The billboards will be up until to August 5th and will run again October 21st until November 5th. They are located downtown Kalamazoo at the corner of Portage Road and Michigan Ave, 2700 Stadium Drive and near the corner Sprinkle Road and E Michigan Ave.
| | | | |
