Democracy Happy Hour – March 9, 2022

Democracy Happy Hour, March 9, 2022 - Meeting Recordings & Chat File:

• Speaker View Recording:  https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/WtiKSpV7bbQD0TsulqcGmy2thRl2xg_TRNDfvwXsRORk1S5_AZARzEA_UEvl0JLV6-fRdd86WB-7zgkV.Yu758w8YmRDsgrAK
• Gallery View Recording:  https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/ZOYsijMXP_YSgxp7HIunVy1JorilE_z2TiCo8MtBt5J4kw-8BfEdteqGR1c4kkwm6QBPHzISS73nhBvr.wcjmXb0F-JAczQdi
• Chat (Link will download a text file to your computer):  https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/sdownload/dU6z3dIJ9ElQ15wwRsG8L8KU530xSihJmb--a2LRjp8J-NJhcKZXesMTcRnk1fkdqNRGaHnVo1vgn5H7.t0Ga7SI1ypeHNYEl

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View slides from the presentation here.

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Actions, Events & Misc. Links:

DONATE to Fix Democracy First or Fix Democracy First Education Fund @ https://www.fixdemocracyfirst.org/donate

Upcoming topics in March:

• Mar 16th - Redistricting Updates & Final WA Maps w/ Alison McCaffree, LWVWA
• Mar 23rd - U.S. Supreme Court: Impact of Recent & Upcoming Decisions
• Mar 30th - Social Media Management to Support Democracy w/ Jeremy Chase

YO VOTE! (Youth Organizers for Voter Outreach, Teaching & Engagement) - https://www.yo-vote.org/donate

WON (Women in Office Now) – https://www.fixdemocracyfirst.org/won

Training Module 2 – March 22nd @ 6 pm - WHERE TO START? QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF - https://www.fixdemocracyfirst.org/won-modules/module-02-where-to-start-questions-to-ask-yourself

Meaningful Movies Project is looking for a new Program Manager - https://meaningfulmovies.org/we-are-hiring-mmp-seeks-new-leader/

Sign Petition - Boeing, Support Our Fundamental Democratic Values - asking Boeing withdraw funding to Jan 6th seditionist Members of Congress - https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/boeing-support-our-fundamental-democratic-values/

Free the Vote! Celebrating Voting Rights Restoration in WA – April 7th @ 6 pm - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcucuCvrDsvGtXZGHqjR_08lpOT1s2YZJ-w

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WA 2022 Legislative Recap Links:

Democracy Bills that PASSED (some bills are awaiting approval of any final amendments before going to the Governor to sign):

Prison Gerrymandering: SB 5583 – Local redistricting to reflect last known residence for incarcerated persons

Community Councils: HB 1769 – Sunsetting Community Councils

Weapon Restrictions: HB 1630 - Establishing restrictions on the possession of weapons in certain locations.

Campaign Funds for Child Care: SB 5855 - Concerning the use of campaign funds to reimburse expenses for child care and other caregiving services.

Ballot Impact Statements: HB 1876 - Adds a fiscal impact statement to ballot measures

Voter Privacy Information: HB 1953 - Exempting sensitive voter information on ballot return envelopes, ballot declarations, and signature correction forms from public disclosure.

Ballot Casting Locations: HB 1716 - Concerning locations at which ballots may be cast.

Democracy Bills that did NOT Pass:

SB 5597 – WA Voting Rights Act Enhancements

SB 5636 – Expanding & Enhancing Automatic Voter Registration

HB 1156 & SB 5584  – Local Options for Ranked Choice Voting

HB 1926 & SB 5851 – RCV for Presidential Primaries

SB 5560 – Procedures for approval & submission of the redistricting plan

SB 5182 – Eliminating Advisory Votes

HB 1618 – Prohibiting weapons at election-related offices

HB 1727 – Eliminating Odd-Year Elections

HB 1919 – Public Disclosure Commission Recommendations

SB 5148 – Concerning the harassment of election officials.

HB 1910 – Conservation District Elections

SB 5170 – Close the Revolving Door – Employment after public service

HB 1485 – Women's Suffrage Day a Legal Holiday

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Democracy in the News Links:

Jan. 6 committee alleges Trump, allies engaged in potential ‘criminal conspiracy’ by trying to block Congress from certifying election - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/02/eastman-pence-trump-jan-6

Inside the Jan. 6 committee’s effort to trace every dollar raised and spent based on Trump’s false election claims - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/08/jan-6-fundraising-trump/

Former Proud Boys Leader Indicted in Jan. 6 Investigation - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/08/us/politics/enrique-tarrio-proud-boys-jan-6.html

Texas Man Convicted in First Jan. 6 Trial - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/08/us/politics/guy-reffitt-jan-6-trial.html

New evidence shows Trump was told many times there was no voter fraud — but he kept saying it anyway - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/03/trump-election-jan-6/

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell says he plans to sue 'all machines' over false election fraud claims - https://www.businessinsider.com/mike-lindell-to-sue-all-machines-election-fraud-claims-2022-3

Mark Meadows Spread Trump’s Voter Fraud Claims. Now His Voting Record Is Under Scrutiny. - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/08/us/politics/mark-meadows-trump-vote-north-carolina.html

Trump Just Endorsed an Oath Keeper’s Plan to Seize Control of the Republican Party - https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-just-endorsed-an-oath-keepers-plan-to-seize-control-of-the-republican-party

Trump wants to control who votes in primaries. Will anyone stand up to this? - https://thefulcrum.us/Elections/Voting/open-primary-2656844102

New Michigan audit debunks dead voter theory in 2020 election - https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2022/03/04/audit-debunks-dead-voter-theory-michigan-2020-election/9373387002/

Estimated Costs for Protecting Election Infrastructure Against Insider Threats - https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/estimated-costs-protecting-election-infrastructure-against-insider

Experts warn increased threats on officials could spark violence ahead of election - https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2022/03/07/experts-warn-increased-threats-on-officials-could-spark-violence-ahead-of-election/

Threats, vilification and screaming parents: The death of public service - https://thefulcrum.us/big-picture/Leadership/public-servant

Activists say debates over Ukraine, Supreme Court nomination show the importance of voting rights - https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/03/05/activists-say-debates-over-ukraine-supreme-court-nomination-show-importance-voting-rights/

On 'Bloody Sunday,' Harris reflects on the current fight for voting rights - https://www.npr.org/2022/03/06/1084841664/kamala-harris-selma-bloody-sunday-voting

'We're very concerned': Black voters fear changes to Georgia voting laws - https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/-concerned-black-voters-fear-changes-georgia-voting-laws-rcna17391

Alabama elections bill faces pushback from voting rights advocates - https://www.wsfa.com/2022/03/09/alabama-elections-bill-faces-pushback-voting-rights-advocates/

Florida Senate Passes Voting Bill to Create Election Crimes Agency - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/04/us/politics/florida-voting-election-crimes-force.html

Here's what the March 1 primary taught us about Texas' new voting law - https://www.kut.org/politics/2022-03-07/heres-what-the-march-1-primary-taught-us-about-texas-new-voting-law

Many voting locations throughout Texas did not open because of staff shortages - https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/01/texas-primary-election-voting-location-closures/

New restrictions causing roadblocks for voters with disabilities - https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/restrictions-causing-roadblocks-voters-disabilities/story?id=83210994

New York is about to let noncitizens vote. It could reshape local politics forever. - https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/02/new-york-noncitizen-voting-00012970

WA redistricting commission chair resigns after Democrats refuse to defend new maps - https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/wa-redistricting-commission-chair-resigns-after-democrats-refuse-to-defend-new-maps/

Ohio Republicans urge State Supreme court to OK latest state legislative maps; Dems urge court to have someone else draw them - https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/03/ohio-republicans-urge-state-supreme-court-to-ok-latest-state-legislative-maps-dems-urges-court-to-have-someone-else-draw-them.html

Ohio's new congressional district map faces another court challenge - https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2022-03-06/ohios-new-congressional-district-map-faces-another-court-challenge

Florida Supreme Court upholds new state legislative districts - https://news.wfsu.org/state-news/2022-03-03/florida-supreme-court-upholds-new-state-legislative-districts

What Redistricting Looks Like In Every State - https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-2022-maps/

Lawmakers may change how Kansas Supreme Court justices are picked as redistricting case looms - https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/state/2022/03/07/kansas-legislators-consider-changing-supreme-court-nominating-process-senate-redistricting/6972565001/

Supreme Court Allows Court-Imposed Voting Maps in North Carolina and Pennsylvania - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/07/us/supreme-court-voting-maps.html

Wisconsin Republicans to appeal redistricting case to U.S. Supreme Court - https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2022/03/04/wisconsin-republicans-appeal-redistricting-us-supreme-court/9381807002/

Supreme Court stays out of key state rulings on partisan gerrymandering, for now - https://www.npr.org/2022/03/07/1084681375/supreme-court-stays-out-of-election-law-for-now

Updated Katz Study: Substantial Decline in the Number of Cases Brought Under Section 2 of The Voting Rights Act and Plaintiffs’ Success in Winning Them - https://electionlawblog.org/?p=127890

States Aren’t Waiting for the Supreme Court to Tighten Abortion Laws - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/07/us/abortion-supreme-court-roe-v-wade.html

C.I.A. Black Sites Are State Secrets, the Supreme Court Rules - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/03/us/politics/supreme-court-cia-black-sites-guantanamo.html

Supreme Court Grapples With EPA Authority on Climate Change - https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/supreme-court-grapples-with-epa-authority-on-climate-change

Religious Objectors to LGBTQ Equality Will Return to the Supreme Court - https://www.thenation.com/article/society/supreme-court-lgbtq-rights/

The Dark Money Groups Spending Big To Shape The Supreme Court Are The Same Groups That Spent Millions Pushing Trump’s Big Lie And Funding Insurrectionists - https://www.accountable.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Dark-Money-Groups-Spending-Big-To-Shape-The-Supreme-Court-Are-The-Same-Groups-That-Spent-Millions-Pushing-Trumps-Big-Lie-And-Funding-Insurrectionists.pdf

Billionaire-Backed Group Enlists Trump-Supporting Citizens to Hunt for Voter Fraud Using Discredited Techniques - https://www.propublica.org/article/voter-ref-foundation

High-powered dark money group seeks to disbar 100+ Trump election lawyers - https://news.yahoo.com/high-powered-group-try-disbar-100014031.html

Turning the Focus on America’s Oligarchs - https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/turning-the-focus-on-americas-oligarchs

How private money and dark money undermine public education - https://wdet.org/2022/03/04/how-private-money-and-dark-money-are-used-to-undermine-public-education/

WA Attorney General Bob Ferguson announces $9M settlement in grocery industry campaign-finance case - https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/wa-attorney-general-bob-ferguson-announces-9m-settlement-in-grocery-industry-campaign-finance-case/

Congress finally passed a federal anti-lynching bill — after 120 years of failure - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/09/congress-finally-passed-federal-anti-lynching-law-after-120-years-failure/
Congress passes bill to shore up Postal Service, delivery - https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/congress-passes-bill-shore-postal-service-delivery-n1291248

American Democracy Is Broken. Can Proportional Representation Fix It? - https://newrepublic.com/article/165557/proportional-representation-fix-the-house

Women make strides in government, but still far from parity - https://thefulcrum.us/Pop-Culture/Diversity-Inclusion-and-Belonging/international-women-s-day