Summer 2024 - Get Engaged! |
Primary Election - August 6
Please use these resources for yourself and share with friends to help our mission of enabling voters and civic engagement.
Registration Deadlines
- By Mail: Must be received by Monday, July 29, 2024
- In Person: By election day, Tuesday, August 6, 2024
- Online: By Monday, July 29, 2024. Change or confirm your voter registration here.
Ballot Return Deadline
- Ballots must be postmarked by August 6 or placed in a dropbox before 8:00 pm on August 6.
- The best way to assure your ballot is counted is to mail it early.
Resources
- Check out LWVTPC candidate forums and recordings of prior forums sponsored by LWVTPC here.
- See the Washington State Attorney General Candidate Forum presented by LWVWA and NWPB here.
- Check out candidates' answers to League questions at Vote411, here. You will find candidates for your specific precinct.
- The 2024 Pierce County Video Voters Guide from Pierce County TV (PCTV) is here.
- The Pierce County August 6, 2024, Primary Election (Voters' Pamphlet, Dropbox Locations, Resolutions, etc.) is here.
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Join the Ballot Curing Project
By Carolyn Edmonds
Did you know there are hundreds of voters in every election whose ballots are rejected and, therefore, not counted? Many of these voters have had their ballots rejected in multiple elections. | | | Now, thanks to many of our awesome LWVTPC Members, rejected ballots for many voters will not happen. LWVTPC is partnering with Pierce County Elections on a project to resolve some of the ballot rejection issues. Emma White, Elections Division Education and Outreach Coordinator, is working with us in this effort.
The project involves teams of two going to the houses where the voters live. Volunteers talk with the voter about the problem and try to resolve it. Typically, the problem is the voter's signature. Pierce County Elections provides us with forms for the voter to fill out to resolve the problem.
The first round of canvassing was a great success. The teams of 2 - 3 people worked very well. Many voters were found at home and our Volunteers got corrected signatures. Goal achieved! More importantly, no one ran into any major issues. The voters our teams talked to were, for the most part, polite and cooperative. The biggest obstacle was locked buildings because volunteers could not leave materials.
We have many more lists to complete!! Please join us at our next meeting, Monday, July 22, from 4:00-5:00 pm, at the LWVTPC office.
If you are new to this project, we will provide you with some training and a bag of materials and match you up with a partner. Volunteers do not have to be members of the LWVTPC, so, bring a friend! We look forward to seeing you. |
President's Message
Working Together
By Rosemary Powers
Sometime in June, I received an email from a League member with a question about paying annual membership dues online. She had forwarded the message she received from our Club Express web host (that sends the dues notices and provides on-line receipts for payments). I don't recall if I was able to help with the question, but I do know it felt strange to see my name attached to that impersonal computer-generated message about dues. I don’t talk that way or write in that unengaged way. | | |
I understand that the e-mail notice needed a sender, and the president IS an obvious official voice. Perhaps we can change this notification approach, but in the meantime the experience made me think about the importance of fostering genuine personal communication and friendship through working together.
As the 2020 COVID pandemic challenged us to find ways to continue our work, we came to rely on those small Zoom boxes as how we were introduced and knew one another. We were often surprised at how our whole selves appeared when we were again able to meet in person. I had joined the League in 2018 at the “Homefulness Conference” the League organized, and by 2020 hadn’t met many members. During my time on the League Board, and now as President, I have come to know many wonderful people as we’ve taken on various projects. I also know how much more we could be doing together in this critical time for democracy.
At our Annual Meeting in June, we prioritized strengthening member engagement in our Program of Work for the coming year. Organizing informal events and inviting one another to collaborate on things that matter can help focus our energies. This summer edition of The Voter offers several such opportunities in the near future—volunteering to participate in the ongoing collaboration with the Auditor's Office on Ballot Curing, joining the group planning actions to “get out the vote,” attending the all-member picnic on August 17, and saving the dates for September unit meetings featuring the theme of “Defending Democracy with the League: Past and Present.”
Returning to the anecdote that began this message, I invite you to renew your League membership for 2024-2025 if that has slipped off your “to do” list. Please feel free to contact me if you have difficulty signing up online and also know that we want to make sure cost does not keep you from participating. We receive donations to cover scholarships and are happy to do offer these.
In this time of deep uncertainty about the future of our democracy, having hardy companions on the way is essential. Thank you for your commitment to our League. |
Unit Meetings - 2024-25
This year our League will prioritize voter education and increasing voter turnout as well as promoting engagement of League members in our work.
For September, we will focus on “Defending Democracy with the League: Past and Present.” Whether you have recently joined the League, or bring many years of experience to the work of defending democracy, please join one of the meetings listed below. We’ll learn about League history and practice, and hear from members engaged in current projects – ongoing as well as special events.
Unit meetings are open to the public, so consider inviting others to join you for this introduction to the League.
September Unit Meetings for 2024 dates and times are as follows. Locations will be provided in the September Voter: | Virtual Unit (by Zoom)
Wednesday, Sept 11, 6:30-8:00 pm
Tacoma Unit
Thursday, Sept 12, 1:00-2:30 pm + organizational discussion
| East Pierce/Puyallup Unit
Saturday, Sept 14, 10-11:30 am + organizational discussion
Gig Harbor: September Program
Saturday, Sept 14, 1:00 – 2:30 pm + discussion of possible regular unit meeting | | | For October, we’ll discuss election issues. Programs for November and January through May are still to be determined. There will not be unit meetings in December; rather, you are invited to the annual all-member planning meeting to propose priority work for the following program year.
Note: For these regular meetings in different parts of Pierce County, we need volunteers to assist with notifying members, on-site hospitality, and securing no-cost venues. Library policies limit who can reserve spaces to card holders, and often cannot be reserved more than a month or two in advance. For each of the sites listed, the September program will be followed by a brief discussion of the preferences and capacities of those who attend for the management of unit meetings in this geographic area. |
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Both Committees are seeking new members
Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Committee
The next meeting is Monday, July 29, from 4:00 - 5:00 pm, in the League office at 621 Tacoma Ave South, Tacoma. Join us if you are interested in participating in the ballot curing project or in planning for upcoming voter education efforts and League presence at summer community fairs. There will be something for everyone to do. Contact Rosemary Powers at rpowers@eou.edu for more information.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee meets next on Monday, August 12, from 2:00 - 3:30 pm at the League office, 621 Tacoma Ave South, Tacoma. We’ll be finalizing the unit meeting program for September and continuing planning for an in-depth new member orientation early next year. You are welcome to join us and bring your questions to help inform our work. For questions, contact Joanne Mansfield at yanahana@hotmail.com.
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Annual Meeting Highlights
By Rosemary Powers
The LWVTPC all-member Annual Meeting was held on June 8, 2024, from 10:00 am-12:40 pm in Tacoma at the Friendship Hall of the First United Methodist Church and was followed by a potluck lunch. With 23 members present, there was a quorum. The agenda included discussion of the 2024-2025 proposed program of work, the annual budget, and the proposed slate of officers and board members, among other matters.
Program of Work. The approved program of work includes prioritizing “get out the vote” (GOTV) activities, deepening member engagement, continuation of the ongoing advocacy/action projects, and encouragement to investigate other local League positions on banning of books in schools and libraries (for possible concurrence). There were no proposals for new studies. Discussion included the need for clarification on how to strengthen past positions with new data, when a new study needs to be proposed to update a position, and how we can use general state and national positions to advocate locally.
Budget. The 2024-2025 budget was passed as published in the Annual Meeting Book, which includes transferring some money from reserves into the operating fund. This offers a strong reminder that we need to develop a community fundraising plan to ensure adequate operating funds into the future. It is important to highlight the value of our “defending democracy” work and how community financial support can help. We will be looking for volunteers to help plan a fundraising strategy for the year.
Board of Directors. The 2024 -2025 officers and board members who were elected include co-presidents elect. RuthAnn Hatchett will join Carolyn Edmonds as our co-presidents elect for this year, assuming the role of co-presidents at the conclusion of Rosemary Powers’ term. Officers and Board of Directors members elected or continuing for 2024-2025: | Newly elected or elected for another term:
Co-Presidents-Elect Carolyn Edmonds 6/2023-6/2025 and
Ruth Ann Hatchett 6/2024-6/2025
Secretary Lydia Zepeda 7/2024-6/2026
Treasurer Julie Offner 7/2024-6/2026
Director Liz Knox 7/2024-6/2026
Director Katie Baird 7/2024-6/2026 | Continuing officers and directors:
President Rosemary Powers 6/2023-6/2025
Immediate Past President Cynthia Stewart 6/2023-6/2025
Director Holly Billiu 6/2023-6/2025
Director Theresa Power-Drutis 6/2023-6/2025
Director Jamica Tatum 6/2023-6/2025
Director Chuck Jensen 6/2023-6/2025 | | | The Nominating Committee for 2024-2025 includes Chair Sharon Peace-Doane, 7/2024-6/2025, and members Susan Eidenschink, 7/2024-6/2025, and Ann Williams, 7/2024-6/2025.
Other. We head into the 2024-2025 program year with commitment and also uncertainty. At the organizational level, we will have new office arrangements that we expect to involve sharing space with a compatible group. Since the Annual Meeting took place before the National League Convention, we did not know what changes might emerge relative to dues structures, and agreed that our delegates should vote against the changes as proposed with freedom of conscience to agree to reasonable amendments made at Convention. For now, we will carry out our financial process as usual until we hear differently.
The meeting concluded with a presentation by past president Cynthia Stewart on “Polarization, Democracy and the 2024 Elections” followed by informal discussion of shared concerns. Our mission to defend democracy and empower voters, in the face of authoritarian threats, polarizing ideologies and rampant disinformation, makes our work during the coming year all the more critical.
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Participatory Budgeting for Tacoma District 2
Open Now Through September 20
Help decide how $1 million should be spent in Tacoma's District 2. Three options are offered:
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- Design and construction of a covered skate park featuring public art in downtown Tacoma, in a location under I-705
- Funding of youth programming for the new dedicated teen area, community hub, and “maker” space at Tacoma Public Library’s main location
- Upgrade of accommodations at the City of Tacoma’s emergency shelter site on Puyallup Avenue with two shower/bathroom units, additional access to electricity, ADA accessibility, and more.
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Hilltop Street Fair - August 24
Opportunity to Volunteer at LWVTPC booth | | | LWVTPC will again have an information booth at the Hilltop Street Fair in Tacoma from 11am – 7pm on August 24. In addition to assisting with voter registration, we’ll provide information about voter education opportunities, and distribute “get out the vote” (GOTV) materials. Volunteers are needed to take shifts throughout the day.
The GOTV committee also welcomes help now in securing the materials needed to create an attractive and inviting space. They will meet on Monday, July 29 from 4-5 pm at the League office to continue planning. If you can’t make the meeting but are interested in helping staff our booth, contact RuthAnn Hatchett at Ruthann6257@msn.com. | Pierce Transit Grant - Electric Buses & Facilities
Pierce Transit recently celebrated receiving a $14.8 million Buses & Bus Facilities grant award from the Federal Transit Authority for purchasing new battery electric buses and installing new charging equipment. This project will improve efficiency and help facilitate expansion of Pierce Transit's zero-emission fleet. | | | | Pierce Transit has developed a Zero Emission Bus Strategy to align with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Zero Emission Transition Plan guidelines. Their goal is to electrify the entire fleet by 2042. These new zero-emission buses contribute to significant fuel cost savings and reduced tailpipe emissions. | Take the Pierce Transit Destination 2045 Long Range Plan Priorities Survey
Pierce Transit asks residents to help guide the next 20 years of transit in Pierce County. Recognizing that over the next 20 years the population will grow, that new technologies will change how and why we travel, and that the funding to deliver great service will continue to be a challenge, Pierce Transit | | | is developing a new strategic plan, Destination 2045.
Pierce Transit has provided a survey to get residents' opinions about how to address all of the changes and uncertainty expected in the future. Get more information and take the survey here. It should only take five minutes or less. |
Is a Heat Pump in your Future?
By Chuck Jensen
With climate issues more in the news these days, the topic of heat pumps has become a common subject of discussion. | | | | To clarify, the term itself is somewhat misleading as the equipment not only provides seasonal heat, but also functions as an air conditioner in the warmer months. Only 53% of Puget Sound homes currently have air conditioning.
There are three reasons actually to consider such equipment in the near future, especially if you are now heating with natural gas or oil. First, as mentioned, you get season cooling without having to resort to window box or portable AC units. | | |
Second, given that they are powered by electricity off our northwest grid (which is 80% or more supplied with non-fossil fuel sources), you are helping to minimize your carbon footprint, and contribute to a healthier planet.
Third, rebates and incentives from governmental agencies, such as those funded by the federal Inflation Reduction Act, will lessen the cost of equipment.
Even if you are not a candidate for a heat pump, please stress these features in discussions with friends and family, Our planet will thank you!
For more more information about heat pumps, see:
| These reports were filed since the last Voter. Please note that some of our Observers are taking the summer off.
| League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County
621 Tacoma Ave. S.
Tacoma, WA 98402
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