In Washington state, the League of Women Voters has had a long-standing Membership Engagement and Leadership Development (MELD) program. This program is a conduit for communication among all levels of the League, local, state, and national. MELD meetings are where local Leagues can share their successes and challenges and receive information about programs and resources from state, national, and local Leagues. Along with TMIL (This Month in the League), The Voter, and affinity groups, MELD meetings allow League members to stay connected to programs and resources that benefit local Leagues. 

The local League members from across the state who are in a MELD meeting, along with a facilitator and a Board representative, are called a pod. The four pod facilitators manage each group, meeting virtually via Zoom once a month with representatives from four or five local Leagues and the state Board. The Board member provides updates, answers questions, listens to members’ concerns and thoughts, and then takes the comments and suggestions back to the Board. 

The LWV of Washington is currently seeking pod facilitators, a position that involves about five hours a month. This includes the 60-minute Zoom meeting with your assigned pod each month and writing a short report. The facilitators also meet once a month for an hour. The pod facilitator is considered a leadership position, requiring good listening and communication skills and the ability to manage a group discussion. You don’t have to be expert in anything other than listening and facilitating a group discussion.  

If you’re interesting in being a pod facilitator, contact Linda Benson for more information. 

By Cynthia Stewart, Revenue & Budget Issue Chair, LWV of Washington 

In 2021, the Washington State Legislature passed the capital gains tax, a 7% excise tax on the sale of capital gains exceeding $250,000. This has been likened to a real estate excise tax paid on property when it is sold. It was estimated that the tax would generate nearly $1 billion per year and would affect only about 0.2% of Washington’s population because of various exemptions from the tax—such as sales of residences, retirement funds, and more—that protect less wealthy people.  

The first $500 million of revenue from the tax is dedicated to the state Education Legacy Trust Account, which can only be used for education (supporting common schools, expanding access to higher education through funding for new enrollments and financial aid, early learning and child care programs, and other educational improvement efforts). The remainder would be deposited into the Common School Construction Fund. 

In March of this year, Initiative 1929 was filed to repeal this tax, calling it an income tax. If it receives enough signatures, it will go on the ballot in November and, if approved by the voters, would repeal the capital gains tax. However, Washington state needs new revenue to cover the costs of many as yet un- and underfunded needs. The League of Women Voters supported the capital gains tax as one of several ways to generate more revenue while making our currently unfair tax structure more fair. Right now, people with fewer means and income pay far more of their income in state and local taxes than people with higher incomes. The capital gains tax would affect only the most wealthy in the state. 

At its April meeting, the LWVWA Board approved the League’s participation in the “Decline to Sign I-1929” campaign urging voters not to sign I-1929, with the intention of keeping it off the ballot. League members are encouraged to tell friends, family, social media contacts, and others not sign this initiative and to join with other organizations as they campaign to keep this off the ballot. 

For more information, refer to this fact sheet produced by the Washington State Budget and Policy Center. And please, Decline to Sign. 

“Good Citizen” posters are now available in both Spanish and English and will be on sale at the LWVWA 2022 Council in June. If you order in advance and pick them up, the cost is $1.75 each. If you want them mailed to you, the cost is $5 for one or $10 for up to four copies. So if you want multiple copies, please order anytime and they will be ready for you to pick up at the council. One League ordered 55 of each and are giving them to every school in their district! Ordering in advance is a good idea, if possible. To order in advance, contact Karen Verrill or order through the LWVWA website. 

On April 23 from 1-3 p.m. the LWV of Thurston County hosted a Civics Education Fair at the state Capitol in Olympia. The League had received a permit to set up tables and displays along the north steps of the Legislative Building, the grand entrance to the Capitol, and they placed banners indicating that this was an activity sponsored by the League of Women Voters. On display were copies of both editions of the LWVWA civics textbook, The State We’re In: Washington, along with the poster “What It Takes to Be a Good Citizen” in English and in Spanish. The author of the textbook, Jill Severn, was in attendance as the League featured her essay “Why Study Civics?” The League worked with Leo O’Leary, the Civic Education Director for the Washington State House, and his colleague in the state Senate, Louis Lindstrom, to have information and displays concerning the House and Senate page programs, the Legislative Internship, and the Legislative Scholar Program for teachers. The League made several contacts with the lieutenant governor’s office to provide information on the Legislative Youth Advisory Council, which is accepting applications until May 15 for the 2023-2024 term. Although they were unable to attend, the League also provided information on how to apply for the council. 

Other activities that were available included a scavenger hunt of the Capitol campus, with students receiving a raffle ticket at each site they visited. Raffle prizes included gift certificates for pizza. A special landscape and tree tour led by Dee Ann Kline and Nick Parkinson, master gardeners and members of the Mason County League, generated much interest. One of the local online newspapers, JOLT (The Journal of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater), helped to promote the event and provided cookies. 

The Capitol and the surrounding grounds is the number one tourist attraction in Olympia. The League was fortunate to be able to schedule this event on a sunny weekend in April. This was an opportunity for the League to interact with the public on a positive issue and to encourage students and their parents to become more aware of the importance of civics education. 

 

Students from The Evergreen State College at the Civics Education Fair in Olympia. (Photo by Julie Frick.) 

 

League members at the Civics Education Fair in Olympia. (Photo by Dennis Bloom.) 

By Bobbie Ryder, LWV of Pullman 

The Pullman League has long operated as a “board of the whole.” This means that all paid members are part of the LWV of Pullman Board. Members are invited to attend and participate in all Board meetings, and they receive the agendas, minutes, and handouts ahead of each meeting. Most importantly, by paying membership dues they become voting members at the meetings they attend and can choose to use this right. One person, one vote, if you show up. It is quite simple. Here is the operable phase from our bylaws. 

ARTICLE VII – Meetings; Sec. 3. Quorum: One quarter of the paid membership as of January 1 shall constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum at all other meetings. 

The Pullman League has 75 members, but we average 15 to 20 attendees at the monthly Board meetings. Sometimes more members attend if the agenda looks interesting. Board/membership attendance is reasonably steady, and our Executive Board members (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) are always at the Board meetings, but not required to be at the “event” meetings. (We host two “events” a month; one Evening Meeting and one noon Brown Bag.) 

In September we publish a simple black-and-white calendar that is periodically updated as speakers change or have scheduling conflicts. It is created as a Word document and it is easy to email updated calendars as PDFs when changes occur. This becomes an opportunity to reach out with a friendly “thought you would be interested” message to all our members. The calendar of events is also listed on our website. 

The LWV of Pullman has operated as a board of the whole for so long that no one remembers when it was anything different. We thought all Leagues operated under this model. Some of our 50-plus-year members report that it has been this way since its founding in 1950. We highly recommend it! 

"Thank Election Heroes Day of Action" on April 12 

Americans across race, place, and party believe in the freedom to decide for themselves who represents them. In the face of a pandemic, Americans turned out in record numbers to cast their ballots and make their voices heard. Election workers are essential workers—like nurses, grocery store workers, letter carriers, and firefighters, our democracy would not function without them (or you). During the deadly pandemic, election workers put their lives on the line to do their jobs, allowing us to cast our votes safely and securely. Then they worked overtime to count every vote so that our voices could be heard. Despite all of this, in some places they are facing extreme pressure and are under attack. 

Join the LWVUS on Tuesday, April 12 for a “Thank Election Heroes Day of Action.” Alongside partners from Public Citizen, Leadership Conference, and Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, we will show our support for local election workers and honor them for their dedication to ensuring our elections run smoothly. It is our opportunity to thank them and to shine a light on the work they do.  

Taking action can be done in a number of ways and can take many forms, depending on your locality. The LWVUS is hosting two calls to learn more about how your League can be involved: 

Sunday, April 3, 5 p.m. PT, Movement Call: Learn about election workers' dedication and the hard work they have done throughout the pandemic and how you can host a "Thank Election Heroes" event, either in-person or virtually. 

Wednesday, April 6, 4:30 p.m. PT, Host Call: Learn ways to make your “Thank Election Heroes” event as impactful as possible, whether it’s in-person or virtual. 

For Your Reading Pleasure 

Two years ago this month, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Our lives—and the way we vote—completely changed. Mail-in and early voting were not only successful counters to pandemic restrictions but made voting accessible for all. We must not turn back. We must continue to fight to protect accessible voting practices. Learn more on what COVID-19 taught us about making voting accessible. 

With the new year comes more litigation. In the past year, the League has continued its work fighting anti-voter bills and purges, challenging new district maps, and pushing back against the increased attacks on reproductive rights. Here are a handful of the issues you may want to keep an eye on in 2022.  

Across the United States, we are experiencing the dramatic impact of climate change—severe droughts and wildfires in the West, unprecedented high-water levels and erosion in the Great Lakes, and rising sea levels with resulting floods and saltwater incursion in the East. Read about climate change threats to food and water. 

LWVUS Sends ERA Memo to U.S. House 

In a memo to the U.S. House of Representatives, LWVUS CEO Virginia Kase urged the House to co-sponsor H.R. 891, affirming the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The ERA passed Congress in 1972, and in January 2020 Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the amendment, meeting the three-fourths state ratification requirement. 

LWV of Texas Submits Testimony to U.S. House Subcommittee 

The LWV of Texas submitted a statement for the record to the U.S. House Administration committee’s Subcommittee on Elections that included stories from Texas voters about the issues they faced in the recent primary following the enactment of S.B. 1, the new law governing Texas elections that had negative consequences for voter access in the state. The LWV of Texas statement was submitted as part of a hearing on “Ensuring Free and Fair Access to the Ballot in Texas.” The lengthy statement includes enlightening testimony from Texas voters. 

By Alison McCaffree, Redistricting Issue Chair, LWV of Washington 

The League of Women Voters of Washington has been a leader in redistricting reform in our state for over 90 years. We are not stopping now. For the 2021 redistricting cycle we ran 13 Speak Up Schools to teach people how to testify, held over 30 Mapping Listening sessions, and created our own set of statewide maps. Congratulations to everyone who testified or provided input. We’ve taken a deep look at the Washington State Redistricting Commission’s 2021 process and results and found them lacking. We’ve got a lot of work to do.  

The LWVWA calls for comprehensive reform of the Washington state redistricting process before 2031. Over the last few weeks, numerous decisions and events further emphasize a great need for such reform. Our district maps should reflect the voices of all communities across the state. The 2021 maps miss the mark. The LWVWA applauds the efforts of a Yakima community group that brought a lawsuit alleging the maps violate Latino citizens’ voting rights in the area. While the Washington Supreme Court approved the maps, we are disappointed in the lack of timeliness and transparency in the commission’s negotiations. If local communities cannot see what commissioners are discussing during their process, then they do not know if their input has been heard and considered.  

Changing the process and the commission structure requires changes in the law and in the Constitution of the State of Washington. The legislature refused to make even the most obvious changes by failing to pass HB 2575 (in 2020) and SB 5560 (in 2022). The Washington Administrative Code changes that the commission made—only because of the pressure of a lawsuit settlement—do not go far enough. The LWVWA calls on local Leagues, the public, and the media to engage the legislature in advocating for more transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in the state’s redistricting process and in calling for a new type of commission—an independent citizen-focused commission.  

We must disaggregate the commission from partisan politics and provide more staff support sooner. The trust in our election systems starts with redistricting. Without comprehensive redistricting reform, Washington’s community needs will continue to come second to other concerns.  

The LWVWA is assembling a broad coalition of individuals and organizations that support comprehensive reform of Washington’s redistricting process. We advocate for change in six major areas:

1.     Examining the structure of the commission

2.     Expanding staff support

3.     Increasing transparency and ensuring Open Public Meetings Act training

4.     Defining criteria used to evaluate district boundary placement

5.     Securing broad public Input

6. Increasing access to the process

Redistricting Reform Discussion meetings: 

Join us for deep discussions on each of these possible areas every other Tuesday, 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m., starting April 12. 

Register Today (same for all meetings). 

• April 12, 2022: Criteria and ranking 

• April 26 2022: Transparency and accountability 

• May 10, 2022: Increased staffing and technology support 

• May 24, 2022: Independent citizens commission 

• June 7, 2022: Input and access 

While redistricting relies on technology and data analysis, ultimately human judgment must balance representation among various communities of interest with overlapping or conflicting needs. Washington’s redistricting commission needs a larger group of people representing communities around the state. We must create a process that inspires trust, that holds commissioners accountable to communities, and that ultimately gives voice to the people of Washington state.  

If you have any questions, please contact Alison McCaffree. 

Nick Lovrich, co-editor of the book Outside Looking In: Lobbyists’ Views on Civil Discourse in U.S. State Legislatures, is scheduled to speak at the LWV of Washington 2022 Council in June. Lovrich, who will speak on Saturday, June 11 during the lunch break, will present results and observations from Outside Looking In, published in 2021 by Washington State University Press. Focused on state legislative politics, the book is based on a 2018-2019 national survey of state legislative lobbyists and public agency legislative officers regarding their views about how their various state legislatures operate. More than 1,100 state legislative lobbyists (from all 50 states) were questioned about the weakening of civility norms, the breakdown of bipartisan problem-solving, and the recent shrinkage of the nonpartisan space in the U.S. Congress—problems that have also affected how state legislatures operate. His talk will focus on the findings from the research done in Washington state.

A research team of over a dozen scholars from 10 U.S. universities (University of Kansas, University of Arkansas, University of Utah, Washington State University, Oregon State University, Bradley University, Boise State University, Duke University, Kent State University, and Clark University) collaborated on collecting and analyzing the survey data. The research team also worked on the systematic coding of the extended comments collected, many offered by one-time state legislators now working as lobbyists or as public agency legislative liaison officers.

A box lunch will be available to order prior to the event; information to come.

By Beth Pellicciotti, Civic Education Portfolio Director, LWV of Washington 

The LWV of the Spokane Area is partnering with its local public television station, KSPS PBS, and Spokane Public Schools to produce a televised civics contest tournament with high school students. The Civics Bowl will be broadcast Mondays, May 2 through June 6, at 7 p.m., on KSPS PBS. Online viewing of the Civics Bowl will also be available on KSPS.org on Tuesdays following each Monday broadcast.   

The Spokane League partnered with KSPS PBS and Spokane Public Schools to produce this unique project of a civics knowledge tournament for students. Students from six schools will compete in this pilot season.  

To learn more about this project, you can watch the Zoom recording and read the PowerPoint presentation of the Spokane League’s March 8 meeting about the KSPS PBS Civics Bowl. The meeting agenda provides the times for each section of the recording. The meeting showcased: 

• How to plan, organize, and produce a civics contest. 

• How League members wrote 400-plus questions from civics textbooks, including the LWVWA Education Fund textbook, The State We’re In: Washington, 8th edition. 

• How Spokane Public Schools teaches civics education. 

By Beth Pellicciotti, Civic Education Portfolio Director, LWV of Washington 

The League of Women Voters of Clallam County has received a $2,000 Civic Education Fund Grant from the LWV of Washington Education Fund to reach out to schools, libraries, clubs, and youth programs with all things civics. The Clallam League believes in asking community partners, “What do you need?”  

The LWV of Clallam County will use the grant to:  

• Support K-12 teachers by funding the yearly Kids Voting USA program. 

• Purchase The State We’re In: Washington textbooks for teachers and libraries. 

• Coordinate with local Boys and Girls Clubs to sponsor students for the Legislative Page Program. 

• Recruit interns from Peninsula College for projects according to student interest. 

Clallam League members hope to mentor high school students in a leadership class that encourages students to serve on local boards by helping students: 

• Review board packets before meetings. 

• Prepare oral comments. 

• Create high school surveys on issues. 

• Provide data to board members. 

For more information, contact Bonnie Bless-Boenish.