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Date: 12/23/2021
Subject: Board Briefings: Notes from the December LWVCO Board Meeting
From: Beth Hendrix



Board Briefings
December 2021

President's Letter: Preparing For 2022

From Karen Sheek, LWVCO Board President...


Greetings, League Members,

 

In the wake of the 2020 election, voter rights and election security have taken center stage, with an increasing focus on election security as rumors of election improprieties continue. Earlier this year, we learned that LWV Oregon planned to present their recently adopted Election Security, Cybersecurity and Personal Security Position to the LWVUS 2022 Convention. A committee, including Maud Naroll, Toni Larson, Gaythia Weis, Neal McBurnett and me, reviewed the election security portion of Oregon’s position and wished it were much broader. We met with LWV Oregon representatives in September, learning that their position adoption process had taken three years — too long for them to broaden their already-finalized position in time for the 2022 LWVUS Convention.

 

Over the next few months, our committee analyzed, researched and developed a more robust draft Election Security Position, building on the foundation of Oregon’s work. Maud attended the LWVCO board meeting last week to present why Colorado needs a robust Election Security Position and to share the committee’s draft position, background material and consensus questions. The Board offered suggestions and then voted unanimously to take the position to Colorado members for input into a final draft to present at the Convention in 2022.

 

Read the rest of Karen's letter in our Document Library, and
see below for more about LWVCO's election security position!

News You Can Use

Holiday Office Closure
 
In observance of the holiday season, the LWVCO office will be closed from Friday, Dec. 24 through Monday, Jan. 3. We will resume regular office hours on Tuesday, Jan. 4. We look forward to supporting you in the new year!

Recommended League Position On Election Security 

Election security has always been part of defending democracy. It became a pressing issue after the 2020 election. As you know, the League only takes action when we have a position on an issue. Current League positions on election security are inadequate for us to advocate effectively. Sparked by LWV Oregon’s recent position about election security, a small group read, consulted experts and wrote the documents below (also available in our Document Library), which include a draft position on election security. The LWVCO Board is sharing this information for discussion and consensus.

At the LWVUS Convention in June, we want to present a state position for national concurrence that may be used by Leagues everywhere. For that to happen, we must get an adopted position to LWVUS well before spring, so we have a compressed timeline.

Please join our statewide Election Security Consensus Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. to give us input in finalizing an election security position. Local League Leaders: You are welcome to hold your own consensus meeting, but the January 22 meeting is intended for all LWVCO members, so feel free to proceed with your existing January plans. If you have a Local Consensus Meeting, we need all feedback from your meeting sent to info@lwvcolorado.org by end of day on Sunday, Jan. 30. Thank you for your engagement in defending the security of elections and our democracy!

 

Questions? Please email Karen Sheek or Maud Naroll.


LWVCO Forms Healthcare Committee
 
 

The LWVCO Healthcare Committee is being created to engage members across the state to take action to better Colorado’s healthcare laws, policies and systems in alignment with League positions. By increasing the understanding of important aspects of healthcare through education, the Healthcare Committee will be action oriented and influence public policy and legislation at all levels through advocacy, while speaking with one League voice.

The LWVCO Healthcare Committee will coordinate education and advocacy with local Leagues and other organizations. The Committee may organize webinars, workshops and presentations on major topics of interest and promote justice and equity in healthcare through advocacy at all levels of government.

 

The Healthcare Committee will be closely aligned with and will inform LWVCO’s Legislative Action Committee (LAC). While the Committee may partner with the LAC on legislator outreach, Committee members are not required to be lobbyists. It will also collaborate with the Healthcare Reform network of League members across the country. At least one liaison to each of these groups will be maintained.

 

While Committee logistics will be determined by member consensus, LWVCO recommends a basic framework of issue-area subcommittees with co-chairs where possible. Subcommittee co-chairs will make up a leadership team to coordinate work of the Committee. Subcommittees will be created based on member interest; suggested topics of behavioral health, prescription drugs, reproductive rights, public health and universal health care have been discussed, although this list is not definitive.

 

LWVCO will provide the Zoom account, webpage(s), communications and support. Those interested in joining the Healthcare Committee should send their name to Beth Hendrix.


Rally To Save Our Democracy
Thursday, Jan. 6
12:00 p.m.
Presented by LWV Colorado
 
 

Join us as we mark the anniversary of the Capitol insurrection with a rally that shares the importance of election security. Let's reaffirm our commitment to uphold voting rights for all and protect our country's democratic processes!

 
We are honored to be joined by guest speakers from several allied organizations, including Colorado Common Cause, Mi Familia Vota and the NAACP.

Voting Rights Lab Year In Review
 
Nonpartisan organization Voting Rights Lab has published its key takeaways about how states handled voting rights in 2021.
 
  • Expanded in-person early voting
  • Restored rights for voters with felonies
  • Made it easier to vote by mail
  • Improved ballot tracking and curing
  • Protected access to polling centers and drop boxes
  • Partisan review of election results
  • Partisan influence in election administration
  • Made it harder to vote by mail
  • Criminalized election workers
  • Stalled federal reform

Do you have something in mind for your local League that will also help serve our overall program, education and outreach goals? Apply for a Project Grant!

 

These grants are awarded on a rolling basis with no deadline, but the review and approval process takes up to 45 days. Your application must be approved by your local League's Board before you submit it for state League consideration. Each local League is eligible for a maximum of $500 per fiscal year. Recipients are also required to provide an Outcomes Report within one year of being awarded any grant funds.

 

Learn more and apply today!


Upcoming Events

2022 Legislative Conference
Saturday, Jan. 15
10:00 a.m.
Presented by LWV Colorado
 
 
With the legislative session opening on January 12, we are excited to share our advocacy goals and priorities for the coming year.
 
This free event will feature local experts and special guests who are ready to explain the current issues that are facing our state. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link, so be sure to sign up today!

Jan. 6

12:00 p.m. - Rally To Save Our Democracy [LWV Colorado]

12:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. - Cultivating Civic Conversations: About The State Of Our Democracy [LWV Washington]

 

Jan. 8

10:00 a.m. - Member Coffee [LWV Boulder County]

10:00 a.m. - Zoom Coffee Hour: Stanley Home Museum [LWV Estes Park]

 
Jan. 10
12:00 p.m. - Monthly Speaker: National Alliance On Mental Illness [LWV Chaffee County]

 

Jan. 11

2:00 p.m. - Healthcare Committee [LWV Colorado]

5:00 p.m. - Defending Democracy Speaker Series: Voting Rights [LWV California]

 

Jan. 12

Colorado General Assembly Session Begins

1:00 p.m. - Program Planning Webinar [LWVUS]
7:00 p.m. - Informed Citizen Book Club: "The Premonition" [LWV Larimer County]


Jan. 13
11:00 a.m. - International Relations Great Decisions Discussion Group [LWV Arapahoe & Douglas Counties]
7:00 p.m. - Voter Registration Training [LWV Larimer County]

Jan. 15

10:00 a.m. - 2022 Legislative Conference [LWV Colorado]


Jan. 18

5:30 p.m. - Protecting Access To Reproductive Healthcare [LWV Denver]

 

Jan. 19

11:00 a.m. - Democracy, Disinformation & Distrust: Building Citizen Capacity [LWVUS]

4:00 p.m. - Book Discussion: The Remarkable Odyssey Of Angela Merkel [Women & Politics Institute]

6:30 p.m. - Book Discussion Club: "Caste" [LWV Arapahoe & Douglas Counties]

 

Jan. 21

9:00 a.m. - Legislative Action Committee Meeting [LWV Colorado]

 

Jan. 22
1:00 p.m. - Health Equity [LWV Pikes Peak Region]
 
Jan. 25
11:45 a.m. - Discussion Group: Great Decisions International Affairs [LWV La Plata County]
 

Are any events missing from this list? Please notify communications@lwvcolorado.org to be included in our next email. Thank you!


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