Get Registered, Go Vote!
The role of the League of Women Voters has never been more important in registering voters and giving them the opportunity to vote in elections. Every person who exercises their franchise at the ballot box strengths our democracy. Every member of our League is needed to make our democracy work in Muscatine, Iowa and the USA. As you continue to read you will see many opportunities to reach out into the community to help citizens become voting members. Your participation is so important. I can’t wait to work with you on the following important events.
Sue
School Board Election September 12
LWV Muscatine County will host two forums for candidate. The school board forum will be August 22 at 7:00 at City Hall. Tammi Drawbaugh and Tim Bower have announced they are running. A candidate’s first day to file for election was July 10 and the last day is August 3.
City Election November 7
LWV Muscatine County is hoping and planning to have candidates for mayor and city council speak and answer questions on October 10 at 7 pm at City Hall. If candidates are not available, this could change. Mayoral candidates are Diana Broderson and DeWayne Hopkins. Candidates for At-Large are Scott Natvig and Phoneice Mason, 2nd Ward candidates are Michael Rehwaldt and Oz Malcolm, 4th Ward candidates are Bob Bynum, Nadine Brockert, and Larry Murray. The first day to file papers is August 28 and the last day to file is Sept. 21.
National Voter Registration Day – September 26
Leagues across the country will recognize National Voter Registration Day (NVRD. Plans are being made now to celebrate this day by registering voters at sites in Muscatine.
If you are new to League or have never registered voters before, and would like to help, we offer easy, on the job training so you will fit in at any of our upcoming events.
These events are a great way to meet other members and learn more about LWV.
Calendar
August 31 - School Board Candidates’ meeting
September 12 - School Board Election Day
September 26 National Voter Registration Day
October 10 - Municipal and Mayoral Candidates’ meeting
October 24 - Panel discussion on good government and transparency
November 7 Election Day
November 28 - Local Water Quality, Solar, and Billing with MPW
December - no meeting
January - State topic to be determined
February - Food Insecurity and Shelter
March - 27 - To be determined
April 22 - Annual Meeting
May 22 - Calendar Planning
Muscatine Port Gets the Green Light
The city of Muscatine and Kent Corp. were awarded in 2016 to study the feasibility of a port facility. The study, prepared by HDR, Inc. of Kansas City, found the site has “the right Attributes for the development of a river terminal and port district.” The site has access to the highway, is adjacent to an active rail line that serves industrial users and is near the industrial park. The site also has utility access and room for storage and other potential warehouse buildings. HDR, Inc., said the location is ideal because the area has deeper waters than other parts of the river, which would accommodate larger barges, making the port more competitive.
Muscatine’s Community Development Director, Dave Gobin, said shippers and Muscatine residents will see economic benefits from the development of the terminal.
The next steps in the project include designating a “port Zone” that would include all existing industrial activities in the city, developing a public-private partnership to govern the site, developing a site plan and business plan, and preparing for construction.
Muscatine Journal, Sarah Ritter, June 8, 2017
Voter ID in Iowa
Changes in Voter ID were not what the League wanted but we will persist! I see our role as helping the public know about the changes so they can continue to exercise their right to vote. These are the changes:
- Signature verification and ID to vote
- Limit absentee ballot requests to 120 days prior to an election
- Early voting was reduced to 29 days
- No more straight party ticket voting option
- 17 year olds will be able to vote in primaries if they are 18 by Election Day
From LWVUS
The League Opposed the Senate Health Care Plan
The U.S. Senate’s plan to cut health care for 22 million Americans, cut Medicaid and reduce access to health care for women has failed. This is a small victory to maintain quality affordable care for all Americans. Thank you to all who contacted legislators.
League Joins Letter to Secretaries of State Regarding Pence-Kobach Commission Data Request
The League joined a letter sent to all 50 Secretaries of State condemning and opposing the data request by President Trump's advisory commission. The League continues to stand with the election officials who have rejected the request for sensitive information and urges those that have not responded to carefully consider future responses to the commission.
Reject “Election Integrity” Commission’s Voter Suppression Agenda!
Join the 11,000+ League supporters who have signed the petition saying they will not let the ‘Election Integrity’ Commission’s efforts to investigate voter fraud threaten their ability to exercise their right to vote.
More on The New Jim Crow
Ban the Box
A new report released by the Center for American Progress highlights how mass incarceration and over criminalization in the United States have served as significant barriers to economic security and prosperity, especially for people of color. According to the report, “a criminal record is a permanent obstacle to economic security.” However, the report also finds hope: “Thoughtful, well-executed reforms can ease access to the labor market for people with criminal records. These fair chance hiring policies, including ban the box, can ensure that employers evaluate candidates not on their criminal history but instead on their ability to do their jobs successfully.”
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/reports/2017/07/27/436756/ban-box-beyond/