eVOTER
Newsletter of the League of Women Voters of Williamsburg Area
August 11, 2024 - Vol. 6, No.02
| All members are welcome to attend!
- 04 Sep 2024, Wed 6–8pm: Board meeting | Williamsburg Reg. Library/Schell Rm - 515 Scotland St
- 02 Oct 2024, Wed 4–6pm: Board meeting | Williamsburg Reg. Library/Schell Rm - 515 Scotland St
- 06 Nov 2024, Wed 4–6pm: Board meeting | Williamsburg Reg. Library/Schell Rm - 515 Scotland St
- 04 Dec 2024, Wed 4–6pm: Board meeting | Williamsburg Reg. Library/Schell Rm - 515 Scotland St
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Meet Lonnie Mattes, Treasurer
I remember my first voting experience at 18 years of age … so full of pride, and I have not missed an election since. The League is an important organization working to protect, encourage and inform voters. Not only does it work hard to our right to vote, but also helps us in our responsibility to be informed voters. Our ultimate choices are personal, but being knowledgeable to make thoughtful decisions is paramount to protecting our American values. I have served as our treasurer for so many years I’ve lost count and will be “retiring” from this position this year. It is an honor to work with so many dedicated members to achieve the League’s common cause. ~ Lonnie Mattes, Treasurer
Meet Maryann Simpson, Voter Services Chair
I joined the League upon our retirement move to Williamsburg in 2012/13. The work of the League has always been admirable and inspirational to me, in its activities and in its core respect for the work of women for voting rights and social justice. Voter Services is my area of keen interest, and I have loved learning more about elections in Virginia. My professional background has been in Human Resources management, with stints in banking in New York City, and in oil exploration and production in Calgary, Alberta. We lived in Canada for 14 years and my daughters are dual citizens. I have always been involved in volunteer activities, and always admire the dedication of League members who are always the first hands up when it comes to hard work and dedication. ~ Maryann Simpson | OCTOBER 17 - BACK TO LEAGUE
| | Oct 17 | 4-6pm | Legacy Hall
Mark your calendars for our annual Back to League meeting. We will have a distinguished panel:
- Don Scott, Speaker of the House of Delegates, addressing felony disenfranchisement
- Matthew Russett, Co-President W&M Election Law Society, speaking on issues motivating younger voters
- Rachel Loria, Attorney at The disAbility Law Center of Virginia with an expertise on the voting challenges facing the disabled
We are honored to have as our moderator Attorney Thomas (Tommy) K. Norment, Jr., former Republican Majority Leader of the Virginia Senate.
| | | With the 2024 Election season upon us, LWVUS is offering webinars to help League members prepare for our heaviest season of election work. All League members are invited to attend these webinars live or watch the recordings! The webinars cover crucial topics relating to election work. The goal is to empower League volunteers who are focused on these areas.
- 15 Aug, Thu 5pm | Action Calendar
- 22 Aug, Thu 5pm | In-Person Registration & GOTV Events
- 27 Aug, Tues 1pm | Media & Rapid Response Messaging
- 05 Sept, Thu 1pm | Social Media & Branding
- 12 Sept, Thu 1pm | Issues with Debates & Candidate Forums
- 19 Sept, Thu 5pm | Direct Voter Contact
- 03 Oct, Thu 1pm | Preparing for Post-Election
- 10 Oct, Thu 1pm | Bystander Training & Voter Intimidation
Slides and resource links will be made available following each webinar at lwv.org/2024electionwebinars
Empowering voters and defend democracy in 2024!
|  | In July, the Virginia Gazette published this anonymous comment in their Last Word section:
The League of Women Voters is providing yard signs that say "Vote Like Democracy Depends on It (It Does)" - a common liberal talking point. So much for LWV "neutrality." However, our form of government is a constitutional republic and not understanding that is something that our local registrars should consider when they allow LWV to register voters in elder care facilities and high schools.
Our LWV-WA President Susan Bivins July 21 letter to the editor, Voting is not a partisan position, provided a robust response, defending democracy and voting rights!
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - VIRGINIA GAZETTE: Voting is not a partisan issue
The Williamsburg Area League of Women Voters was recently criticized in The Last Word anonymously for signs that read "Vote Like Democracy Depends on It (It Does)." These are signs available through the U.S. League promoting the Vote 411 program. Anonymous claims that this makes the League a partisan organization. The League of Women Voters was created 104 years ago following women winning the vote. The goals, then and now, are to encourage citizens to participate in our democratic process by exercising their right to vote and to educate voters about the issues. We register students who are about to turn 18 to vote, help new residents get properly registered and host forums where candidates from all parties can discuss the issues with voters. The Vote 411 program provides information on voting locations and provides the issue information supplied by all the candidates regardless of party affiliation.
The LWV does not tell anyone how to vote. We do not endorse political parties or candidates. We are totally apolitical. We know that our democracy (yes, it really is a republic as created by the Constitution, but we are a democracy) works best when everyone is involved.
Our democracy works best when those who vote understand the system and the issues. Making everyone better informed only makes better citizens. Please consider joining your local League of Women Voters in 2024! Men, women, students, everyone is welcome! Voting is not a partisan issue!
It is a right and a duty.
Susan Bivins
President, Williamsburg Area League of Women Voters
| Thank you renewing members! And a Special Welcome to new members! Names with asterisks gave an extra amount above basic dues!
Marjorie Biddle, Nancy & Alan Bolash, Virnell Bruce, **Timothy & Sally Graumlich Campbell, Kathy & Philip Casey, **Deborah Cuffy, Louise Cumpson, Patricia Dalton, Pat & William Evers, Barbara Fowler, Geoffrey Gay, **Lynn Griswold, Mary Beth Hennessy, Caroline Johnson, Birgit Kingsbury, **Diane Lederer, Jeanette Matthews, Mary Christine Miller, Tammy Moore, Laura Moye & Eric Mack, Ione O'Connor, Aimee Potash, Janet & Alexander Ross, Kristan Sammons, Dina Smith, Mary Swain, **Leslie Viccellio,Sudie & Rich Watkins, **Marie White, Hoda Zaki.
And a special recognition for Bonnie McNail, who although not a member, generously gave to our local League.
(*as of 8/9/24**)
| | Nov 07 | 4:30pm | Member's Home
Discuss with us The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend It by Corey Brettschneider.
"Imagine an American president who imprisoned critics, spread a culture of white supremacy, and tried to upend the law so that he could commit crimes with impunity. In this propulsive and eminently readable history, constitutional law and political science professor Corey Brettschneider provides a thoroughly researched account of assaults on democracy by not one such president but five..." - Publisher website.
| | | | Volunteer with us to observe meetings of the York County School Board. We currently observe and take notes for the WJCC School Board, and we want to cover York County. You can observe the monthly meetings online (live or rebroadcast) and then write up your report which we will post on our website to share with membership.
Take a look at a typical report here
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Access to York County Meetings
Attend or watch York County School Board Meetings and School Board Work Sessions:
(1) In-person: regular meetings held on the 4th Monday of the month at 7 pm at York Hall, 301 Main Street, Yorktown and work sessions held on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6 pm at York Hall, 301 Main Street, Yorktown
(2) Online
Live broadcast on YCSD-TV (Cox Cable channel 47;Verizon channel 39)
Live broadcast or on-demand at York County School Board YouTube Channel
| Our Intrepid Voter Services Team
Our local League Voter Services leaders, Maryann Simpson and Denise Koch, organize numerous voter registration events and candidate forums. Many voting services events are scheduled for this fall! Get involved. Contact Us | On August 8, we issued our last Sentinel. The monthly newsletter was the creation of League member Harry Chancey who vigorously and rigorously researched and condensed volumes of information to keep us abreast of developments germane to the League's mission of Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. You can see the back issues at Newsletters & Alerts.Many thanks and kudos to Harry for his work and dedication.
| | |  | Like many other states, Virginia needs Election/Poll Workers as we head into the November 5th Presidential Election. Being a poll worker, also known as an Officer of Election, is a way to serve your community, your state, and your country.
Apply to be an Election/Poll Worker. The application process is the first step. An Officer of Election/Poll Worker must be a competent citizen and a qualified voter of the Commonwealth and complete an application. Apply Here!
Here’s a synopsis of information from the Help Virginia Vote website:
- Roles: Officers of Election/Poll Workers help the election run smoothly during Early Voting and on Election Day. Roles are based on the needs and staff availability in your location. Duties may include: Greeter; Pollbook Officer; Ballot Officer; Voting Equipment and Booth Officer; Chief Officer; Assistant Chief Officer
- Training: All Officers of Election/Poll Workers will be trained before Election Day.
- Early Voting: Volunteers are needed during Early Voting (September 21 – November 4) based on scheduling.
- Election Day: If you’re able to work on Election Day, November 5, please be aware you will be there for the entire day. Polls are open from 6:00am until 7:00pm unless hours are extended by court order. You will be asked to arrive before 6:00am and stay past 7:00pm. During the day you will fulfill your responsibilities and help neighbors as they cast their votes. When polls close, you will assist in securing equipment and ballots, complete paperwork and pack up materials and supplies.
- Payment: Some Officers of Election/Poll Workers even get paid, but payment depends on the type of appointment and the locality.
- State Code: “Any person who serves as an officer of election as defined in § 24.2-101 shall neither be discharged from employment, nor have any adverse personnel action taken against him, nor shall he be required to use sick leave or vacation time, as a result of his absence from employment due to such service, provided he gave reasonable notice to his employer of such service. No person who serves for four or more hours, including travel time, on his day of service shall be required to start any work shift that begins on or after 5:00 p.m. on the day of his service or begins before 3:00 a.m. on the day following the day of his service. Any employer violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. § 24.2-119.1”
| | (L to R): Susan Thomas, Laurie Hertzler, Jeannette Potter, Jim & Susan Bivins, Tammy Moore, Laura Tripp, Les Solomon
| Despite ominous storm clouds, members of the community gathered at the WJCC Courthouse Wednesday, July 17, 2024 to mark the fourth anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis. Members of the League of Women Voters of the Williamsburg Area and Williamsburg JCC Indivisible co-hosted the Candlelight Vigil to commemorate his death and more importantly his life's work to secure voting rights for all people.
League members Laurie Hertzler and Laura Tripp set up a Voter Registration table with voter registration forms, cards with a QR code linking to the Virginia Department of Elections, Facts for Votes brochures, and League membership applications. We had a number of people take our applications. Both the League and Indivisible had information available to educate, motivate, and activate our community to work towards the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, the Native American Voting Rights Act and DC Statehood. President Susan Bivins and VP Laura Tripp read portions of the program.
League members gathered for a photo behind the official banner that shows the League as a sponsor. | In July, Our League's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and our Voter Services team partnered with Birth in Color, YJCW NAACP, and Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center to host a Community Baby Shower in recognition of Maternal Health in Virginia. At the event, we also registered voters!
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