This year we are going online to offer a powerful experience to advocate for democracy and learn about important issues with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Democracy Lobby Week will be packed with useful information to expand your democracy knowledge and impact. Not only will you get the latest information and status on current democracy bills and how you can help move those forward, but you will also hear from legislators, experts on a variety of important topics, and those most impacted by laws limiting access to the ballot.

In the addition to meeting with legislators to advocate for important democracy bills, you will also:

• Hear from legislative leaders and expert guest speakers
• Get in-depth information on critical democracy issues and bills
• Learn about important issues, such as post-felony reenfranchisement, from directly impacted persons
• Get trained by professional lobbyists
• Network with others from your area

Over the course of the week, we will also offer special sessions on how you can be a better ally to communities of color, the importance of voting rights restoration, the impact of redistricting, addressing money in elections, alternative voting systems, and lots more!

Democracy Lobby Week Tentative Schedule

Monday, February 22

• Main Program 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• • Guest speakers include:
  • • Secretary of State Kim Wyman
    • Senator Sam Hunt, Chair of the Senate State Government and Elections Committee
    • Representative Javier Valdez, Chair of the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
    • Senator Patty Kuderer, sponsor of Advisory Votes Elimination bill
    • Representative Tarra Simmons, sponsor of a bill to restore voter eligibility to persons convicted of a felony (HB 1078)
    • Representative Melanie Morgan, Chair of the House Members of Color Caucus
    • Julie Wise, King County Elections Director 
      
    • Plus other special guests!
  • Democracy bills review with talking points
  • Training by professional lobbyists
  • Q&A
• Networking with People in Your District 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
• • Breakout sessions for each legislative district for meet ‘n greet and strategic planning. 
• SPECIAL Programs:
• • Allyship: Supporting Black, Indigenous & Communities of Color, 5 p.m.
  • Ranked Choice Voting: Now More Than Ever, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, February 23

• SPECIAL Programs:
• • Shining the Light on Money in Elections: Get to know our PDC, 10 a.m.
  • County Auditors Reflect on Current and Future Election Legislation, 12 p.m.
  • Empowering Small Donors: Public Funding in Elections, 2 p.m.
  • The Fight to Vote: Voting Rights Restoration, 6 p.m.
    
    

Wednesday, February 24

• SPECIAL Programs:
• • How to Boldly Advocate for Equity in Hyperpartisan Times, 10 a.m.
  • Making Our Tax Structure More Fair, 3 p.m.
  • Hope for Democracy: How an Election Reform You’ve Never Heard of Gives Voters More Power with Citizen Initiative Review, 5 p.m.
    

Thursday, February 25

• Meetings with state legislators—most meetings are set for this day. You will be sent a personalized schedule.
• Redistricting: Why it Matters, 6 p.m.
  
  

Friday, February 26

• National Legislation to Restore Democracy: For the People Act & the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement, 2 p.m.
• Democracy Lobby Week Debrief and Happy Hour, 4 p.m.

Important Notes:

• The complete itinerary will be available prior to the start of Democracy Lobby Week.
• You can attend one or all of the sessions during the week.
• All events (with the exception of meetings with legislators) will be recorded. If you are not sure you can make it to one or more of the events, please register anyway, as all registrants will receive links to all events.