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Thankful for our country, fair elections, and YOU!
As we enter this holiday season, there is much to be thankful for. We need to be thankful we live in a country that still believes in fair and safe elections. We need to be thankful that, even when elections don't have the results we hope for, citizens still have the right to have our displeasures heard and vote to change outcomes.
The League of Women Voters mission is to help ensure that both of these can still be achieved, and for that, we at the League of Women Voters of Kansas are grateful for YOU! We are thankful for the time and attention you devote to our mission and your fellow Kansans, helping them to understand the importance of exercising their right to vote and being informed to do so. We are thankful that, even in the face of what seems like overwhelming odds at times, you persevere and do the work.
And while you gather during this holiday season with your family and friends to celebrate whatever you may be thankful for, please remember that we are thankful that you are a part of our League family. Happy holidays and safe travels!
| Suffragist Memorial Artist Phyllis Pease's Mural Chosen
By Marlene Merrill, LWVK 1st Vice President
The Suffragist Memorial Committee is pleased to announce that the Capitol Preservation Committee, the statehouse group that determines what is permitted to be displayed in the Capitol, has given provisional approval of our selected artist’s mural.
The Suffragist Committee selected Phyllis Pease from Manhattan. Phyllis is the daughter of a 2nd generation Kansas farmer and a proud Mexican Immigrant mother from Kingman County. She graduated from KSU with a BFA in 1987. In her words, she tries to tell a story with her art. Her murals are displayed at Sunset Zoo in Manhattan and the KSU multicultural center.
The selected mural depicts the rich history and profound imagery of the suffragist struggle. It features Clarina Nicholes surrounded by other Kansas women leaders, like Anna Waide from Lincoln, Laura Johns from Salina, Annie Diggs from Topeka, and Lila Monroe from WaKeeney. In the background is a row of suffragists wearing white dresses and holding a banner declaring the right to vote. The mural will be 18 feet by 8 feet on the first-floor wall across from the cage elevator in the Capitol.
We interviewed five finalists: Zak Barnes, Geraldine Craig, Stephen Johnson, Phyllis Pease and Ann Zerger/Chip Parker. Next steps include presenting Phyllis’s work to the Capitol Preservation Committee in January, when we are asking for full approval. It will take Phyllis a year to complete the art, and the Suffragist Committee is anticipating an installation ceremony in 2025.
How you can help! It is our wish that this public art inspires and educates people about Kansas women suffragists and passes on our values to present and future generations. Let others in your local League and community know about the Suffragist Memorial.
We need contributions to make this a reality! To donate, go to: https://kssuffragist.org/KS-suffragist-memorial-contribution-form.pdf .
| LWVK Office Administrator Needed for Topeka Office!
We continue to search for an Office Administrator for our Topeka LWVK office, averaging15 hours per week (job description found here). We will be unable to continue our events and mission without this important role. Also, LWVK has relocated our office to the old Stout Elementary School, 2303 SW College, Topeka, KS, 66611. Our phone785-234-5152 and P.O. Box 2366, Topeka, KS, 66601, remain the same. | LWVK Voter Notes Editor, Other Board Members needed!
By Grace Wilson, Retiring LWVK VOTER Notes Editor
Crisis may not be too strong a word to describe the future outlook of our organization. We need leaders to step up for LWV of Kansas board positions! The LWVK Nominating Committee needs to hear from local League members to fill our state slate by April of 2024.
But we also need reinforcements now. We really need an LWVK Co-President now as it is a huge job for one person. We can't continue our efforts including our lawsuits, our Suffragist Memorial, our advocacy, and events like League Day at the Capitol without the person-power to achieve our mission. Please send your suggestions for LWVK board members to teresa.briggs@outlook.com.
Editor's note: Because I need to have shoulder replacement surgery, this will be my last VOTER Notes. I have served on either my local board or the LWVK board for most of the 49 years I have been a member of the League. If you would be willing to step in either temporarily, or on the next LWVK board, as VOTER Notes Editor, please email me at gracewilsoneditor@gmail.com. | Election Administration Study Timeline
By Vicki Arnett, LWVK Study Chair
Dec. 9, 2023 - Vote on proposed position at LWVK board meeting to send to local Leagues for their consensus meetings.
Jan. 6, 2024 - 9 AM - Saturday - Statewide Zoom about the Election Administration Study with Richard Pund. Contact Richard.Pund@gmail.com if you have questions.
Jan-Feb. 2024 - Local Leagues hold consensus meetings on the proposed Election position.
March 1, 2024 - Local Leagues send comments/notes to Vicki Arnett to finalize in preparation for vote at April 2024 Council meeting.
| Kansas Supreme Court heard our case on Nov. 3 at 9:30 at Washburn University Law School. It was also livestreamed on the Court’s YouTube channel. Our attorneys believe now that the Court will come down with a combined ruling between both cases but have no idea when we can expect that. | Legislative Observer Corps Fast Fridays Start Jan. 5
By Cille King, LWVK Advocacy Chair
The LWVK Legislative Observer Corps plans to start meeting again for our "Fast Fridays at Four" (Zoom meetings at 4 pm on Fridays) on January 5, 2024, just before the start of the legislative session. We will discuss what is on the agenda for the next week, and what has happened in the past week. Paul Johnson has agreed to continue as our liaison to the legislature and will join in the calls. If you want to be added our Observer google group and receive updates and Zoom notices, email: advocacy@lwvk.org.
SAVE THE DATE: League Day at the Capitol Feb. 14
We have had rousing approval from league members following our last two "League Day at the Capitol" events, so we will hold another on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The format will be similar: a morning of pertinent presentations from Kansas leaders. Lunch. Then league members can meet with their legislators, attend hearings, or the Senate session that generally starts at 2:30pm. Please plan to join us.
| Local League Highlights
By Cathy Hedge, LWVK Communications Team, LWV of Manhattan-Riley Co
Across the state, our local Leagues helped present candidates to our communities. Whether by traditional forums, meet and greets (Great Bend), and even speed-dating (Salina), citizens from Leavenworth to Wichita met their future leaders. You helped us vote with confidence. Thank you.
LWV Salina offers their Lunch and Learn Series at their library’s Prescott Room. On Nov. 14, Jane Anderson of Friends of the River gave updates on the Smokey Hill River projects (Details). The video archive of their programs is available here.
LWV Topeka-Shawnee County celebrated their successful Purses with a Purpose “Fun Raiser” event. Vicki Buening reported they raised over $3,000. Congratulations! The League continues their Tuesday Topics programs at their library. The Shawnee County legislators are invited to speak on Dec. 5. Recordings of past speakers available here.
LWV Wichita-Metro Co-presidents Jessica Maldonado and Nancy Brown recommend an ALCU resource All Democracy Is (Still) Local. A Smithsonian travelling exhibit, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, will be at the Winfield Public Library until Nov. 19 - More information is here.
And in this crucial time: LWV Johnson County is learning about the Jewish Vocational Services of the greater Kansas City Area. The JVS is involved with resettlement of “…all persons from across the globe fleeing war and persecution in search of a better life."
Finally, know that more Kansans are informed voters because of your efforts. Please email Cathy Hedge about your activities. We are also eager to hear from our At-large members.
| We talk about Election Integrity on KTWU's I've Got Issues
Cille King, LWVK Advocacy Chair, and Susan Quinn, LWVK Voter Services Chair, were on KTWU Public TV's show I've Got Issues discussing Election Integrity. They both answered the questions with common sense detail, representing the League and remaining non-partisan while discussing election misinformation. Watch it at: https://watch.ktwu.org/video/igi-1310-election-integrity-xxqfpr/
| Rumor vs. Reality with Post-Election Issues
 Last in the series of three articles
By Janice Walker, Intra-League Co-Coordinator
Since the 2020 presidential election, the focus has been on election integrity for political groups. To counteract the many disinformation narratives on social media and TV news, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) developed an online information site on election security issues. This is an official website of the U.S. government and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Click here for this final article about 3 common rumors and corresponding reality checks which address Post-Election misinformation. | Board Briefs
Oct. 14. 2023 - In-person
By Marlene Merrill, Acting Secretary
- Met with Micah Kubic, ACLU, about election news, drop boxes, 3-day limit, hand-counting ballots.
- Zoom about new LWVUS business model Framing the Futureduring office hours onDec. 20. Kansas will be discussed Dec. 13 at 5 p.m.
- 29% response rate from candidates on VOTE411.org is low.
- Susan Quinn shared LWV Salina's Election Night board game, post cards, wrist bands.
- Suffragist Memorial Committee will make recommendation from artist interviews to Capitol Preservation Committee on Oct. 24.
Nov. 11, 2023
By Lana Balka, LWVK Secretary
- Need to hear from local Leaguers interested in Kansas Leadership Center Leadership Transformation Grant.
- League Day at Capital on Feb 14 - Martha, Cille and Teresa will pursue.
- Posible Election Administration statewide presentation by Richard Pund in January.
- Board plans to meet with Deb Kitchin for training on Google Workspace and Club Express.
- Will continue a contract with Paul Johnson and the Kansas Rural Center Policy Watch.
- Cille and Martha will work on edits to the brochure listing LWVK legislative priorities.
- Roster has problems with members listed as “at large” who are associated with specific Local Leagues.
- A Washburn student presented possible sources for grants: Alliance for Youth Action, Federation of State Humanities, Kansas Health Foundation, Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism, Proteus Fund.
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The League of Women Voters of Kansas is a grassroots, volunteer, political organization with members at large and nine local Leagues across the state. For nearly 100 years, LWVK has encouraged the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influenced public policy through education and advocacy. The League does not endorse candidates or political parties.
Support our ongoing work. Donate to LWVK today.
LWVK information is available on our website. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Making Democracy Work®
League of Women Voters of Kansas President
Martha Pint
president@lwvk.org
“VOTER Notes” Editor
gracewilsoneditor@gmail.com
LWVK Office Administrator
office@lwvk.org
About the Newsletter
Does your League have a success story, innovative program, or commendable action you want to share with your sister Leagues across the state? Send it to the VOTER Notes so we can feature a League each month! Share your stories; they encourage other Leagues and help everyone know that we are all in this work together.
- LWVK sends the VOTER Notes monthly newsletter to local board presidents and communications teams to distribute to their local League members, generally the first week of every month. If you are finding it online and not in your inbox, please tell us. At-Large Members receive the newsletter directly via email. Newsletters are also posted for public viewing on lwvk.org.
- During the legislative session, LWVK sends a weekly email containing Paul Johnson’s “Policy Watch.
- Submit photos or stories of your LWV activities. Deadline for the Jan-Feb VOTER Notes is Thursday Jan. 18.
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