Local Government Meetings Scheduled
Local Government Meetings June 29 - July 2, 2020
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Monday Jun 29 |
Tuesday Jun 30 |
Wednesday Jul 1 |
Thursday Jul 2 |
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Roseville Planning Commission 6:30 |
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Advocacy
The League of Women Voters of Roseville Area that includes Roseville, Lauderdale, Little Canada, Maplewood, and Falcon Heights, has adopted positions regarding several issues of local importance. By clicking on the link below, you will be directed to a downloadable copy of those position statements. Click here for link.
Talking Points to Counter Attacks of Voting by Mail
LWVUS has provided some talking points you can use to counter attacks on voting by mail:
With the increased popularity of vote-by-mail in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, use the following messages to counter attacks on vote-by-mail and pivot the conversation to solutions. (Avoid saying the words “voter fraud” when interacting with voters, the general public, or media. Even the mention of potential fraud has a negative impact on voters’ confidence in our elections.)
Statement on the Death of George Floyd
The League of Women Voters of Roseville Area stands in solidarity with our fellow Minnesotans who grieve the loss of George Floyd and condemn the horrendous circumstances of his death. We join with the Leagues of Women Voters of Minnesota and the United States in calling on law enforcement officials to provide transparency during this investigation and to seek justice for George Floyd, his family and our community. We stand ready to work with our government officials in Falcon Heights, Lauderdale Little Canada, Maplewood and Roseville to pass meaningful reforms that will address systemic racism, the heart of these tragic killings that disproportionately target Black people. Our League studied policing in our communities in 2016 (see full study here) and called for police training and data collection in order to avoid racial profiling. Now would be a good time for community education on our progress in those areas and more. We must all advocate for anti-racist policies at every level of government.
You can read the statements on this topic released by LWVMN and LWVUS.
Advocacy
The May/June Voter contained tips when writing advocacy letters. League members are reminded that when writing letters, sending emails or texts, or making phone calls, they are speaking as individuals, not for the League (they should not mention that they are League members in their communication). Only the president speaks in the name of the League.
If you would like to participate in advocacy at the national or state level as a League member, consider adding your name to "action alerts" that will come to your inbox and identify prioritized pending legislative issues that need your support. www.lwv.org/take-action https://www.lwvmn.org/take-action
Interview With Secretary of State Steve Simon Regarding Mail-In Voting
The Civic Caucus is known for its in-person interviews. In this time of Safe At Home, they have transitioned to Zoom interviews. In their latest, the April 24,2020 interview of Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon addresses the issues of assuring that Minnesotans could vote safely in both the August primary election and the November election.
Make Every Day Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day April 22. As people did in 1970, we can make our voices heard and act responsibly with the environment. On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, because of social distancing, there won’t be millions of people across the country marching to support environmental improvements. Ironically, we will reduce carbon emissions by not driving, while millions of people unite online to draw attention to the environmental crisis. If you want to help make history, you can watch Earth Day Network’s online teach-ins, follow social media campaigns, or watch live coverage of global digital mobilizations at earthdaylive.org. Another link for Earth Day activities is mnearthday.org.
League Makes Local Studies Available
League of Women Voters U.S. requested that local studies be submitted to their clearinghouse to allow other Leagues considering similar studies be able to see how previous ones had been done. LWV Roseville Area has contributed both our police and affordable housing studies. If you would like to see other studies listed go to:
https://sites.google.com/a/leagueofwomenvoters.org/clearinghouse/.
Local Police Study Powerpoint
You can access a pdf of the Powerpoint presentation of the 2015-16 Police Study here..
Resources About Redistricting, Gerrymandering and the Census
A lively discussion was held during the March 20, 2019 event on topics of Redistricing, Democracy and the Census. Our speaker was Alberder Hampton-Gillespie, from the board of Common Cause Minnesota, and she explained the concept and process of redistricting, what the problems associated with it are, and how the census affects it. You will be able to view a video of the presentation and discussion on our YouTube channel soon. In addition, Common Cause Minnesota provided documents that you may be interested in:
Windows and Mirrors - So Now What? by Florence Sprague
While picking up a book after an LWVRA program at the Roseville branch of the Ramsey County Library, I spent a few minutes reading the two part messages posted on several tall wire frame display racks. Perhaps you saw this display, too. The messages were both touching and demoralizing.