Redistricting, community policing and school diversity - LWV ABC members are active on issues and elections

We all joined League of Women Voters to make a difference on issues that we care about, right?  Here are some excellent ways to be active and involved! 

LWV Minnesota is looking for volunteers to serve on a team working toward a Minnesota constitutional amendment to ensure that fair, not partisan, election district lines are redrawn after the census.   Look below the "Read More" link below for more information on this important work.  This will be a two-year commitment, with lots of support from LWV MN.

Locally, LWV ABC is looking for members to help us develop informational programs on community policing and school diversity.  This is a short-term commitment - just for a couple Zoom meetings in October and November to help us shape our programs for Jan-May 2021.   Contact LWV ABC at lwvabc@gmail.com to raise your hand!  

Community policing in Columbia Heights, LWV demonstration in favor of Fair Maps, school diversity in Columbia Heights

LWV ABC has been helping with election support, too.  Not only did we do a 750 piece  postcard mailing (read about that here) sending registration and voting information to unregistered voters in Anoka County, but we helped Anoka County Elections staff by separating "I voted" stickers - they come on rolls of 250 and had to be cut or  pulled apart so county staff could send one out in each absentee ballot envelope.   LWV ABC member Shirley Andreason wins the golden sticker award for her work here - she made this a priority and did thousands while enjoying life at her lake home!  

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People Powered Fair Maps Campaign –
    Team Members Wanted
 
Request for help from Paul Huffman
LWV MN ADVOCACY AND PROGRAM ACTION TEAM
 
Join the PPFM team!
 
As we enter Year 2 of the People Powered Fair Maps Campaign in Minnesota, we are updating our plan to reform the redistricting structure and process within Minnesota to prevent gerrymandering and ensure congressional and legislative maps represent the interests of voters.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we were not able to make meaningful progress in the 2021 legislative session.  As a result we now have a 2 year plan to support for the 2021 legislative session and redistricting cycle, as well as to advocate for a constitutional amendment in the 2022 legislative session.  Ideally, this will lead to a constitutional amendment on the 2022 General Election ballot. 
 
Local Leagues have many priorities and issues that they support and are limited in the effort and attention they can apply to any specific area.  In order to develop the capability needed for the long-term sustained effort to support the PPFM campaign, we would like to establish a statewide PPFM team composed of LWV Minnesota members and non-members. The members of this team will become knowledgeable in redistricting and gerrymandering, and help to support education, outreach and advocacy efforts over the next 1 - 2 years.  This will include the opportunity to be involved at both the state and local level as counties and some cities also must do redistricting after the Census results are received. 
 
Each person's role and commitment will be dependent on their individual interest and capabilities.   We will support team members in increasing their knowledge of redistricting and gerrymandering, and will offer them opportunities to play a meaningful role in this campaign consistent with their interest.  We will also ask PPFM campaign team members to help shape our approach to achieving the campaign goals.  Finally, we anticipate that team members will be a resource for local Leagues and the public on the PPFM campaign and the subject of redistricting. 
 
If you or someone you know is interested in being part of this team, please contact Paul Huffman, Census and Redistricting Coordinator, by replying to this message or directly at phuffman@lwvmn.org, or call him at 651-295-0489. 
 

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