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| President's Message:
Georgia on My Mind
By Rosemary Powers
One evening last week, after hearing some explicitly racist and sexist content captured at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, NYC, I watched Greg Palast’s new documentary titled “Vigilantes, Inc., America's New Vote Suppression Hitmen.” (It’s available free online). I mention these together because the documentary shows clearly how today’s vote suppression projects have ushered in an era of “Jim Crow 2.0.” | | | The efforts to make voting more difficult (while ostensibly making it more secure) largely effect communities of color, and in some states, like Georgia, appear to reflect a history of efforts to undermine the powerful equity work of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. In the film, Black voters who had been removed from the voter rolls or had their status challenged spoke with deep emotion about their experience of betrayal.
The film’s depiction of the situation in Georgia, and Georgia’s role as a “swing state” in national elections, made me wonder how the Georgia League of Women Voters was responding to these new laws—such as requiring hand counting of ballots (that would require substantial new resources and certification delays), and daily reporting on who is doing early voting. The Georgia State League joined with five other civil rights and democracy groups to challenge the new laws, and on Wednesday, Oct. 16, a Fulton County judge blocked implementation of most provisions, calling them “illegal, unconstitutional, and void.” The judge’s ruling was appealed, so this story goes on. But the League was there, living out the mission to defend democracy.
Beyond the state League engagement in legal action, our national League joins or initiates many legal challenges to attempts to disenfranchise voters. Sometimes we may wonder what we are getting for our financial contribution to the national League. I do get irritated at the constant email invitations to contribute more. But I really value the work of the national League’s Legal Center. I encourage you to check the League website for reports on how litigation in defense of voter rights helps defend democracy. For a brief introduction, browse recent press releases on League work here.
The Madison Square Garden rally and the “Vigilantes Inc.” documentary took me to a painful place, a place that flirts with despair of a common future as a democracy. But there is that hope still—in the legal and movement challenges to repression, and the recent decisions by some judges who see the risks to democracy and take a stand. November 5 comes and goes - transformative or terrifyingly polarizing. We will still be here. And democracy is stronger with the presence of our League.
| November Unit Meetings:
What now? Local League Response to 2024 General Election
Join members of our local League Board of Directors for a conversation about the results of the election. What are the policy directions suggested by election outcomes? How do we use our League positions to respond? Are there new/updated studies we should undertake on critical issues? Board members will share their assessment of the election in the context of their own board responsibilities, and gather information from members to help shape and strengthen our local League efforts.
| East Pierce/Puyallup Unit
Saturday, November 9, 10-11:30 am
Puyallup Public Library
324 South Meridian
Puyallup, WA 98371
Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula
Saturday, November 9, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Heron's Key, Anchor Room
4340 Borgen Blvd.
Gig Harbor, WA 98332 | | | 3 Current and Former WA Secretaries of State Discuss WA State Voting
By Katie Baird
Join three Washington Secretaries of State as they discuss the history and evolution of voting in our state—from the various systems in place to the complex and polarized climate we now operate in. Current Secretary of State Steve Hobbs joins former Secretaries of State Kim Wyman and Sam Reed for a panel discussion convened by the University of Washington's College of Arts & Sciences and the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance.
Entitled "Trust on the Ballot: Voting in Washington," this timely forum is scheduled for 7:30-9:00 pm, Thursday, Nov. 7, shortly after the Nov. 5, 2024, General Election. The panel will be Introduced by University of Washington Provost Tricia R. Serioand College of Arts & Sciences Dean Dianne Harris and moderated by Evans School of Public Policy and Governance Dean Jodi Sandfort.
Get location, livestream and registration information and more details here. | Pierce County Comprehensive Plan:
Comment Period to Council Starts This Week
The Pierce County Comprehensive Plan must be finalized by the end of 2024. The Pierce County Council is in the process of holding hearings on the proposed plan prior to adopting a final document. You can read the Plan here. This takes you to the previous comprehensive plan with track changes shown, with strikeouts of text to be removed and shaded text that is proposed to be added.
Comprehensive Plans are updated every10 years and are intended to establish land use, infrastructure, housing, transportation, climate change and other elements for a 20 year period.
The Pierce County Council's Community Development and Environment Committee will hold two meetings prior to referring their recommendations to the full Council for action in December. Both will have an opportunity for public comment.
- Nov. 4, 1:30 p.m. The committee will be considering POLICY amendments to the Comp Plan. One of the issues is the proposed deletion of a rural bonus density. The League has already submitted a written comment on that, supporting the deletion. See the letter here.
- Nov. 18, 1:30 p.m. The committee will be considering MAP amendments to the plan, including modifications to the Urban Growth Area. The committee hopes to also pass the plan out of committee at this meeting.
The Comprehensive Plan is scheduled to come before the full Council on December 3, 3:00 p.m., but is expected to be continued through the December 10 meeting before it is adopted.
All of these meetings are held in Council Chambers at 930 Tacoma Avenue S in Tacoma (10th Floor) but also have a zoom opportunity. Comments can also be sent by email to pccouncil@piercecountywa.gov. Oral comments are limited to 3 minutes per person. | Save the date:
Annual All-Member Program Planning Meeting
Sunday, Dec., 8 , 1:00-4:00 pm, Tacoma location TBD | | | Join other League members to explore how the League can become more effective in educating and advocating for democracy and equity through voter services, advocate for local environmental justice and shelter for all, promote women’s empowerment, and shed light on the operation of local government. If you are new to the League or wanting to become more active, this meeting offers an opportunity for you to promote ideas and activities you care about.
We share food and priorities with the goal of proposing a program of work for our League for 2025-2026 and making suggestions to the state League for consideration at the State League Convention in June.
While some actions are ongoing, the program will be presented for approval at the all-member Annual Meeting in June 2025. Participating in this December planning process means you will have a central role in shaping the direction of our future action.
The League’s mission--to defend democracy and empower voters—guides this planning session. With the current threats and polarizations, and the uncertainties surrounding Nov. 5 and beyond, our mission could not be more critical. | News from the Street: Homelessness in Pierce County
By Theresa Power-Drutis
Blue Falcon Tactical Solutions, a private security firm, was hired by the Hosmer Business Association to stop loitering and drug trafficking around local businesses in the Hosmer area of Tacoma. | | | The $17,000 operation began this week in response to escalating violence that included three firearm incidents and one fatality since October 1. In addition to clearing the area, Blue Falcon will patrol it for 30 days to ensure it remains clear.
The security firm plans to “offer resources” such as housing and drug treatment referrals. Unfortunately, Tacoma’s HEAL Team has used the same approach for years with little success. Start with sweeps and referrals to shelters that typically cannot accommodate partners, pets, survival gear, or serious physical, mental, and behavioral health issues. Next, report that most people “refused services” and recommend that business owners and neighbors “harden” their property. Then respond to the next call from down the block or wherever people moved after being swept. Repeat.
Low-income neighborhoods serve as containment areas for homelessness as unhoused people are moved around the city. Those without shelter continue to suffer from exposure and a host of other problems that can be reduced by simply not forcing them to move from one hostile environment to another again and again.
Unsheltered people are more often the victims of crime than the perpetrators. Businesses and neighbors (housed and unhoused) need protection from traffickers and other forms of violence. The cost of providing a wider range of options for unhoused people is steep, but the cost of lives lost, sweeps, fire & law enforcement, and community health is much higher.
When businesses can’t stay open without paying for “protection,” the system is broken. Sweeps and camping bans are inhumane and ineffective. We need smart policies and investments that keep us all safe.
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Private security team to sweep stubborn Tacoma homeless camp after spate of violence.
By Puneet Bsanti updated October 24, 2024 (Tacoma News Tribune) | Some Upbeat Climate News
By Chuck Jensen
Given the terrible damage suffered by the twin tornadoes in the southeast, let's consider some positive developments to toward climate mitigation.
First, some $2 trillion annually is being invested in clean energy projects, twice the amount in fossil fuel programs. Secondly, the Department of Energy states that $2 billion has been invested in 38 projects expanding the electrical transmission grid in 42 states.
Recent news has highlighted that development is proceeding on two lithium mines, one in Nevada and one in Arkansas. The latter contains up to 19 million tons of lithium, enough to meet the entire world's demand. A California company is making positive steps to market a solid state EV battery that will charge to 80% of range in in 15 minutes. | Ballot Curing was a Success!
By Carolyn Edmonds, Project Coordinator
The last meeting of the Ballot Curing Project was a celebration of success! As of October 21, 332 Surveys, out of a possible 366, had been returned to Pierce County Elections. A Survey was completed by volunteers for each door knocked.
Ninety-five voters turned in corrected signature forms. Forty-nine signed at their door and gave it to the volunteer to return. Forty-six mailed their forms to Pierce County Elections. According to Emma White, Outreach Coordinator for Pierce County Elections, this is a 30% return, which is excellent for a project of this nature.
There was a total of 20 volunteers for this project. Many expressed how rewarding it was to participate. New friendships were created and many saw parts of Pierce County they had never seen before.
HUGE thanks to the wonderful volunteers and to Emma White for a great collaboration. | | Erika Bartlett
Tiffany Elliot
Thuymai Fee
Becky Frehse |
| Susan Guidetti
Anne Lee
Aviva Lemberger |
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| Cynthia Macklin
Susan Paredes
Croix Stone and Jess Kovach |
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Thank You, Generous Donors
Holly Billiu Aviva Lemberger June Coloff Ray and Lois Vankat Family
| Observer Reports Support Voter Empowerment
By Lydia Zepeda
Do you want to find out what is going on in your local city or county government? Do you want to let others know? Do you want to use your writing skills? If so, join the LWVTPC Observer Corps! We need volunteers to report on their activities. This is how we ensure an informed community. This is how we hold our elected officials accountable.
Being an Observer involves attending at least one public meeting a month and writing up a meeting summary. Plan on a minimum of 3-4 hours a month. We especially need observers for the City of Lakewood, the Port of Tacoma, and the Clover Park School District.
As an Observer you choose what meetings and issues to follow. You can attend in person or watch remotely. While you cannot participate in the government meetings, but you can inform others what issues are being discussed, what laws and policies are being implemented, and how your local government is spending taxpayer money. It is a great way to learn about local government to prepare yourself and others to be better advocates to promote League positions.
If you are interested, please contact Lydia Zepeda at zepelow@gmail.com We can set up a time to chat about your interests and set up training.
Here are the recent reports:
| League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County
621 Tacoma Ave. S.
Tacoma, WA 98402
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