help_outline Skip to main content

Follow Us

Social networking will appear here

Support Us

Join  |   Donate  |   Volunteer  |  League Updates |   Resources 

Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency LWV-Wake is a proud member of the NC Center for Nonprofits 

Contact Us

3509 Haworth Drive #306
Raleigh, NC USA 27609
Copyright © 2021 • All Rights Reserved • Terms of Use Privacy Policy • Powered by ClubExpress
Add Me To Your Mailing List
Date: 11/1/2021
Subject: LWV-Wake Update November 1st 2021
From: League of Women Voters of Wake County



LWV-Wake Update 11/1/2021

 
Dear ~~first_name~~,
 
Greetings from LWV-Wake. While redistricting seems to consume us (see the latest updates below), let's not forget tomorrow is ELECTION DAY in these 12 Wake County municipalities:  Angier, Apex, Durham, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon.  We hope all our members in these communities have either voted early or are planning to vote tomorrow in home precincts. We are, after all, the League of Women Voters!!
 
November is American Indian Heritage Month
TODAY is the first day of American Indian Heritage Month. There is so much to learn and appreciate about American Indian culture. Admittedly, the above photo is not typical of one you might expect to see accompanying American Indian heritage articles. This photograph is from artist Wendy Red Star's Apsáalooke Feminist series. Summarized by the Library of Congress, this photograph "shows Red Star in the traditional elk tooth dress, signaling her Crow heritage, womanhood, dignity and continuity, and her daughter with dolls as modern, contemporary, self-possessed, and stylish, signifying the here-and-now and future." It seems the perfect picture to represent the modern American Indian woman's strength.
 
Speaking of strong American Indian women, check out Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe author and 2021 Pulitzer Prize winner, Louise Erdich's new book being released on November 9th titled The Sentence. To learn more about Erdich and her books (I LOVED The Roundhouse), here's a great article: https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/louise-erdrichs-gift-of-storytelling
 
GivingTuesday
Our end-of-year fundraising campaign, GivingTuesday, continues through the month of November. This is our third year participating in this global day of giving. As a reminder, GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: A day that encourages people to do good. Whether it’s some of your time, a donation, or the power of your voice in your local community, everyone has something to give. We all know giving makes us feel good! Right now your donation will be matched, up to $1500, by the LWV-Wake Board! Please consider the League as you make your end-of-year donation decisions. More info and details on how to donate can be found below.
NC Center for Nonprofits
In the last newsletter, focus was placed on LWV-Wake's award of GuideStar's Gold Seal of Transparency as a symbol of strength for our organization, which helps us attract donors. This week's focus is our membership in NC Center for Nonprofits, whose mission is to educate, connect, and advocate for North Carolina nonprofits. Being a member of this organization not only serves to educate our leadership team, but also demonstrates our commitment to improving our fiscal and organizational structure, making us more attractive to potential donors. You will notice the addition of their logo, signifying our membership, to our website and at the bottom of this newsletter. Recognition and membership in both organizations are reasons our donors should feel confident supporting the League of Women Voters of Wake County during our GivingTuesday campaign.
 
 Volunteers Needed
The success of our organization depends on the collective efforts of our members. All areas of our organization need volunteers who can lend time, energy and talents (and you all have them!) to help us carry out our mission more effectively. Volunteering with the League can also be very rewarding. Want to learn new skills or learn more about an important topic that affects the health and well-being of North Carolinians? The League can help! Below are specific areas of need. However, if you're not sure how you want to be involved, please email us and we can help guide you in finding the perfect spot in which to share your experience and talents. Specific areas of need include:
Women's Equality Day
Do you like to plan parties and events?  If so, the Women’s Equality Day Committee is in need of additional members to help plan our annual fundraising event held in August 2022.  Some roles require basic computer skills; other roles require communicating with the caterer, speaker and others involved in the event, making follow-up calls to invited honorees and helping the day of the event.  Monthly committee meetings will begin after the first of the year and continue until the event.  Come join our other committee members for a fun time planning this special event.  If interested, please send an email to WED Committee Chair, Candace Blackley
Communications
The Communications Committee is looking for additional volunteers to add to the team. Those interested in learning our website platform or who enjoy creating social media content and/or editing are encouraged to share their talents with the League. This is a great opportunity to learn new skills and help increase the visibility of LWV-Wake. Membership in the League, while helpful, is not required. If interested, please contact Cheryl Tung or Jenny Kotora-Lynch. Members, please share this volunteer opportunity with anyone you think might be interested!
LWVNC - Advocacy
LWVNC is looking for 2-4 individuals from several local Leagues to comprise a state level Lobby Corps. These individuals would, in essence, be 'on call' when opportunities arise for the League to advocate for a particular piece of legislation or policy position. LWVNC is looking to build a group individuals from around the state that can visit legislators in their home offices. Anyone interested should contact LWVNC board member Gary KentonTo learn more about the state's efforts, click here.  


Upcoming LWV-Wake Events

  •  November 4th 2pm-3pm Raleigh League Lit - Will discuss the book The Three Mothers by Anna Malaika Tubbs. From Goodreads, "In her groundbreaking and essential debut The Three Mothers, scholar Anna Malaika Tubbs celebrates Black motherhood by telling the story of the three women who raised and shaped some of America's most pivotal heroes: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin." Register here.
  • RESCHEDULED November 7th 4:00pm-5:30pm DEI Roundtable Homogenized Hollywood - Is the content we consume through TV, movies, or reading diverse? Join for a discussion and brainstorming session on consuming diverse content in our daily lives. Register here.
  • November 18th 6:30pm-8pm Timely Topics: An Introduction to the TRHT Framework: A Holistic Approach to Racial Equity - This presentation introduces participants to the national Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Movement and Framework. We will also situate the work of the Duke TRHT Center within this broader context.The TRHT Framework is a comprehensive and community-based process to address the historical and contemporary sources of racism and bring about transformation and sustainable change. Register here.
  • December 2nd 3pm-4:30pm Raleigh League Lit - Will discussThe Daughters of Kobani: A Story of Rebellion, Courage, and Justice. From Goodreads, "Rigorously reported and powerfully told, The Daughters of Kobani shines a light on a group of women intent on not only defeating the Islamic State on the battlefield but also changing women's lives in their corner of the Middle East and beyond." A New York Times bestseller. To register, click here.

Redistricting Update
State Redistricting
State redistricting continues to be a whirlwind of activity with changes to the legislative calendar occurring frequently. Information posted here is as of Sunday, October 31st at 3pm. Updates can be found here.
 
Three senate bills with maps were filed on Friday, October 29th and will be considered on Monday, November 1st by the Senate Redistricting and Elections committee meeting in room LOB 544. They include:
At 2pm today, The House Redistricting will meet in room 643 to discuss: 
On Tuesday, November 2nd 9am LOB 544, the Senate Redistricting and Elections committee meets again to discuss:
Note: Given the other 2 bills/maps are not included on Tuesday's meeting agenda, it can only be surmised that the other two maps, which garnered an "A" from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project (here and here) will be 'sent away' by the majority in favor of the map that received an "F" (here) from PGP. Meanwhile....
 
The first redistricting lawsuit and request for an injunction has been filed. On October 29th, Southern Coalition of Social Justice released a statement that they, alongside pro bono Washington DC firm Hogan Lovells, had filed a lawsuit on behalf of North Carolina NAACP and Common Cause against NCGA leadership and members of NCBOE.  In the suit, they cite failure of the NCGA to first draw districts that comply with the Voting Rights Act as well as failure to obtain an analysis of racially polarized voting. Stay tuned! 
  

Local Redistricting- Wake County Board of Commissioners - DRAFT MAP AVAILABLE
 
 
First a recap: The October 4th Wake County Board of Commissioners meeting included a staff presentation on redistricting. Public comments on behalf of LWV-Wake were made concerning the need for public involvement/outreach, maps to be drawn in public, and feedback was provided on proposed criteria.
 
The process for redistricting that was decided during the October 4th meeting included:
  • Map(s) will be presented prior to the Board of Commissioner's October 18th 2pm meeting. At that time, a public comment portal will be made available for a period of 10 (now 15) days. A draft map, along with other redistricting information and a public comment portal was made available on the the county website Friday afternoon, October 15th.
  • Public comments will be made public. Update: This has been done. However, they are very difficult to locate, taking about 6 steps to locate. They can be found here. 
  • There will be opportunities for translator services during public hearings. 
  • Staff will be drawing the maps focusing primarily on equal distribution, along with other criteria that is published on their website.
  • Incumbency protection was listed as criterion for redistricting.
  • Staff was asked to provide descriptions for each criteria to make it easier for the public to understand. These changes are reflected in the new criteria posted on the website.
  • In-person public comment: Two public hearings were scheduled: October 18th at 2pm and November 1st at 5pm. However, in an email received on Friday, October 15th, Ben Canada, Asst. to the County Manager, stated "The Board may choose to schedule another hearing on this topic at its next regular meeting on November 1". 
While the Commissioners made an effort to provide public comment opportunities and descriptions of the criteria, the draft map was drawn with little explanation or rationale. We would like to see more information and data made available, such as:
  • Were any other maps drawn and considered?
  • Why is this map considered the best?
  • Did they analyze the 'chosen' map with regard to communities of interest? If so, could they comment on that analysis?
  • Indicating incumbent's addresses (general area) on the new map (with a visual detail like a dot or star)
  • Providing a table that lists the precincts that are affected in each district would be helpful. UPDATE: (This has since been made available on their website).
  • Providing a 'growth heat map' similar to that produced for the City of Cary would be helpful
Please look at the maps (before and after) and examine your district. Has it changed? If so, are any communities split? Do you notice anything that merits more information/explanation? Does your district or the maps look better as a whole? If you have any comments, consider attending a public hearing or leaving comments online through the portal that can be accessed at the link above. In addition, members are encouraged to attend today's Board of Commissioner's meeting at 5pm. 
 
In addition to a new map, the Wake County Board of Commissioners is considering returning the election of its residential districts to four-year staggered terms. If approved, districts 1, 2, 3 and 7 would be up for election in 2022 and districts 4, 5 and 6 in 2024. Details can be found on their website on the link above. 
 
Local Redistricting- City of Raleigh
On October 21st, LWV-Wake, Common Cause and Raleigh-Apex NAACP participated in a virtual Town Hall on Redistricting hosted by Raleigh District A Council Member Patrick Buffkin. The panelists made many suggestions for improving the process and transparency in the upcoming round of redistricting. However, due to technical difficulties by the host, a video link of the event was not made available. The LWV-Wake presentation slide deck will be made available on our website soon. Raleigh City Council is scheduled to meet virtually this Tuesday, November 2nd at 7pm, where redistricting is expected to be a topic. Members are encouraged to tune in and to take advantage of all public participation opportunities as they become available. Please look for updates on our website as well. 

Giving Tuesday Challenge
GivingTuesday Campaign is going on NOW!
Donations are Tax-Deductible
The LWV-Wake Development Committee has been working to make our end-of-year fundraising campaign the best EVER! We are kicking off the campaign with a matching challenge. The LWV-Wake Board of Directors has agreed to match the first $1500 in donations! We hope this global day of giving will propel all of our generous donors to continue to support the League. In addition, we invite you to share our social media posts during the campaign to generate new donors who support our mission to Defend Democracy and Educate Voters. Help us kick off the matching challenge by making a donation today!
 

Leandro compliance image
Leandro Case Update
Once again, the NCGA has been provided an extension by Judge Lee. The latest update from publicschoolsfirstnc.org states: 
 
"At a hearing on October 18,  Judge Lee indicated he was not willing to wait for a compromise budget that may not fully fund Leandro. Judge Lee gave plaintiffs in the Leandro case until November 1 to draft an order that would compel the NCGA to fund Leandro remediations. Attorneys for the defendants will have until November 8 to respond.

Judge Lee reminded attorneys for both sides that the case was about children first and foremost. Since the Leandro case started, a generation of children have been denied a sound, basic education. Opportunity shouldn’t depend on zip code or family income. All children should have the opportunity to reach their full potential! Our kids have waited long enough! North Carolina is anticipated to have an additional $6.5 billion in revenue through the next biennium. We have a once in a generation opportunity to do the right thing for our kids and the future of NC. The time is now!"
 
For an in-depth analysis of the Leandro case, including the WestEd Report, visit everychildnc.org.

LWVNC
LWVNC is continuing efforts to secure 500 applications in order to request authorization for a specialized plate. Answers to FAQs about the plate include:
  • This is a fundraiser for LWVNC. For every $30 specialty plate that is purchased or renewed each year, NCDMV will keep $10 and the remaining $20 will go to LWVNC, which will use the proceeds to support the cost of providing access to VOTE411.org to North Carolina voters.
  • You do not need to be a member of the League to apply for the proposed new LWV specialty plate.
  • Your application for a new plate has no effect on your current registration. You do not need to wait for your current registration to expire to apply. You do not need to send anything to the DMV, and applying for this new plate will not affect your current registration in any way.
  • It takes about 15 minutes to apply. You’ll need your auto insurance policy card, current vehicle registration card, driver’s license, and checkbook. Print and fill out the form, address and stamp an envelope, and drop it in the mail.
  • Right now, we are in the preliminary stages of obtaining the plate so you will NOT receive your plate right away. The state of North Carolina requires organizations to prove there is a market for a specialty plate before they will agree to produce one.
  • There is zero risk – if the plate isn’t approved, your money will be refunded.
The application for the plate can be found here.

ICYMI
Art Contest First Place Winner
Art Contest Second Place Winner
Fair Maps Art Contest Winners Interviews Now Available
Here are the winners of our Fair Maps Art Contest! First place winner Elizabeth Trefney is pictured on the left with her piece titled "Fair Maps Real Voices" and second place winner, Anna Podris is pictured on the right with her piece "Democracy is Rooted in Fair Voting Districts". Member Aliana Ramos has written a wonderful blog that outlines conversations we had recently with the contest winners. Read it here.

Thank you for continuing to support the League of Women Voters of Wake County. I look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Tung
President
nc center for nonprofits image newsletter
The League of Women Voters of Wake County is a designated 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization by the IRS. Donations and membership dues are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.