Here’s the text of the July 17 email newsletter from the Asheville-Buncombe League of Women Voters:
Today is election day!
First thing’s first: today is election day! If you haven’t voted in the second primary election yet, stop reading this email and get to the polls before they close at 7:30pm. All Democrat and Republican voters may vote in today’s election. Unaffiliated voters who either did not vote in the May 8th primary, or who voted in either the Republican or Democratic primary on May 8th, may also vote today. Just go to your usual polling location to vote. For more information about the candidates, check out our handy 2nd Primary Voter Guide blog post!
DISCLOSE Act
As many of you might have heard, the Senate will vote again on the DISCLOSE Act today at 3pm! Senator Kay Hagan is already a co-sponsor of this important campaign finance bill, but Senator Richard Burr needs to hear from you. Urge Senator Burr to support the DISCLOSE Act today — click here! The League of Women Voters wholeheartedly supports this piece of legislation. Secret campaign money has no place in America’s democracy. It undermines the role of the voter and corrupts the election process. Voters have a right to know — whether it is a corporation, union, trades association, or non-profit advocacy group making unlimited campaign expenditures and influencing elections. The DISCLOSE Act is an important step in the right direction. Give Senator Burr a call NOW at (202) 224-3154 and ask him to support the DISCLOSE Act, S. 3369.
Be sure to check out our newly-updated advocacy page on our website for more action alerts!
A note from our President
The newly elected League board enjoyed a wonderful retreat this weekend, at the home of our beloved secretary, Nelda Holder. The full minutes of the meeting are posted online, and we’ve posted some fun photos of the board over on our Facebook page. We sorted through a lot of programming ideas for the coming year, and we were able to determine five issues for emphasis over the coming year: campaign finance reform, non-partisan redistricting reform, voter registration, study of City/County boards and commissions, and advocacy training. Stay tuned as we work out all the details of some exciting programming offerings that tap into these five core areas!
Go ahead and mark your calendars now for our fall kickoff event on Friday, August 17th — stay tuned for the details as we pin down the time and location!
A few volunteer opportunities
-Want to help us register and educate voters at the downtown topless rally on Women’s Equality Day, Sunday, August 26th? Send an email to president@ablwv.org!
-We still need a few more volunteers to help out with our booth at Blue Ridge Pride on Saturday, October 6, where we will register voters, distribute information about the League’s issue positions, candidate forums, and activities, and hopefully offer a petition calling on Buncombe County to update its non-discrimination policy. Just click here to volunteer.
-Buncombe County Kids Voting is looking for November 6 Election Day volunteers. Click here to learn more about Kids Voting and get involved!
Until next month,
Karen Oelschlaeger
President, League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County
president@ablwv.org
Upcoming Events
7/17
2nd Primary Election
All Buncombe County precincts open 6:30am-7:30pm
8/1
Monthly LWV-ABC Board meeting
6:30-8pm (social time from 6-6:30pm)
Location TBD
8/14
Tentative Council of State Forum co-sponsored by the NC Center for Voter Education
8/17
Fall Kickoff Event
Tentative: 5:30-7:30pm, Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company on Coxe Ave. in downtown Asheville
Bring a friend or family member to this fun event: volunteer opportunities, information about League activites and issue positions, and a great opportunity to get to know your new board members!
8/26
Women’s Equality Day
Voter registration & education in downtown Asheville
9/5
Monthly LWV-ABC Board meeting
6:30-8pm (social time from 6-6:30pm)
Location TBD
9/22
North Carolina Women United Agenda Assembly
9am-12pm
YWCA of Asheville
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