The session in the State legislature ends this Thursday. This is the last chance we will have this year get Automatic Voter Registration passed. While both the House and Senate passed it, they did not pass the same bill, so they have less than a week to reconcile their differences and pass a single bill.
Action: Ask your state legislators to pass the stronger version of Automatic Voter Registration.
Both the House and Senate passed HB 2595, but only one version utilized the Health Benefit Exchanges (HBE) to register voters. Including the HBEs in the final bill will result in a more effective registration system.
Washington Voting Justice Coalition has provided an e-mail tool to contact your legislators, for your convenience. You can use their pre-written text, or customize it as you see most effective.
http://wavotingjustice.org/letter-to-leg/
Also, let us know using this form if you sent a letter, so we can track our progress:
https://goo.gl/forms/lbHUvI9h58f0dLqx1
Background:
Automatic Voter Registration could add 1.2 million new registered voters to the rolls by 2025:
http://www.sightline.org/2017/05/17/how-many-voters-could-automatic-voter-registration-add-to-the-voter-rolls-in-washington-state/
Editorial by former Representative Jessyn Farrell about why we need Automatic Voter Registration: https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2018/02/05/25782247/guest-editorial-its-time-for-washington-state-to-pass-automatic-voter-registration
Events this week:
MONDAY: DACA Deadline Vigil and Postcard Collection, Monday March 5 at 7pm at St. Matthew / St. Mateo Episcopal Church in Auburn
“On the day of the DACA Deadline, we’ll be gathering in Congressman Reichert’s District, sharing stories from our communities, collecting postcards to deliver to our congressional offices demanding they act now, and holding a vigil for those whose lives hang in the balance.” https://www.facebook.com/events/412284429213907/
TUESDAY: Resist Trump Tuesday continues on Tuesday, March 6 at 11:45 a.m. outside the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, followed by a meeting with our Senators’ Staffers!
We will be hearing from Vicki Rhodes from Whole Washington on Universal Healthcare, and from organizer Charlie James. https://www.facebook.com/events/576917569321926/
TUESDAY: Weekly Seattle Indivisible Meeting Featuring Marquese Averett from Fuse, Tuesday, March 6 at 7pm at Woodland Park United Methodist Church.
Marquese is an activist by passion and an organizer by training. Born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, he is no stranger of taking on tough issues. He has worked on many campaigns (from electoral to issue based) all across the country. He is now a senior organizer for the S. King County section of Fuse Washington.
Fuse has been doing this progressive work for 10 years, and we have a lot to learn from Marquese and his comrades. Please come, bring a friend, and join in the discussion.
The Woodland Park UMC can be reached by King County Metro routes 5 and 45.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1996943760584366/
Reminder:
Time is also running out on your chance to submit comments in opposition to the Department of the Interior’s plans to drill for oil off our coast. If you haven’t already, please submit a comment by Friday at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=BOEM-2017-0074-0001 .
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Do you have an idea for a daily action? Please send us an email at [email protected]
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