By Christine Grantham, LWVBF member, Special Projects

In preparation for the LWVWA’s 2023 State Convention, I printed famous quotes as tabletop decorations.  This line by Abraham Lincoln stood out. “Nations do not die from invasion; they die from internal rottenness.”

My worst fear is that we may lose our democracy due to disinformation, lack of confidence in our electoral process and voter apathy. To encourage participation in what is still considered our most precious right as Americans, “The Vote,” I wanted to make a video directed at young people before the 2024 primary.

I wanted an effective “GET OUT THE VOTE” tool to encourage voters to turn out and vote.  We would produce two 30-second videos, one in English and one in Spanish.  

In the summer of 2022, I looked at short clips and videos mostly by professional entertainers promoting voting.  There were some that could possibly work, but there are always trademark and licensing restrictions. I would need just the right combination of actors for a play or video and/or background music. The whole project seemed overwhelming.

Then in the Fall of 2022 the LWVBF was asked to participate in the Pasco School District All Staff Welcome Back Expo. At the close of the event, I happened to hear some snappy music and spotted Pasco High School’s Dance Team—the dance team of my dreams! Their performance was impeccable, the choreography outstanding and each member unbelievably talented. They fit the bill right down to my wish for a multi-cultural group representing the America of the future. I found the coach and asked if they had ever done any performances like one to encourage voting.  The coach was all in and so was the team.  It was a GO!

The team selected the slogan “YOUR VOTE, YOUR VOICE, YOUR FUTURE” and had the slogan printed on their red, white, and blue tee-shirts. The Dance Team coach, Rebecca Schwan, has been with the Pasco School District for 24 years and is an outstanding choreographer.  She has coached semiprofessional dance and cheer teams and was inducted into the Washington State Hall of Fame for Dance and Cheer in 2015. Most importantly, she has a unique connection with her team. Together they create incredible routines. So now I could begin the project.  

The next piece of the puzzle was to find a videographer. Most of the professionals I interviewed were out of my price range, but I happened to find Tyler West who had just moved to the area. He understood the frustration of voter apathy and was eager to be part of the project.   

There was another bonus that came as a total surprise. At the suggestion of the dance coach, I talked to The Pasco School District Community Outreach Supervisor, Gracie-Valle Chimal.  Gracie was familiar with the League’s work and immediately offered to assist in any way.  She understood the importance and urgency of a community project to stimulate interest and turnout prior to the 2024 election.  Gracie has worked in radio and broadcasting, has public affairs experience, and also speaks fluent Spanish.

She and I hit it off immediately and I know my project would never have come to fruition without her professional guidance, suggestions, and advice. She critiqued our practices and proved to be a master of what to cut to keep us within our 30 second limit. Ultimately, she knew the importance of protecting the League’s name and the integrity of our project.  

The GOTV video was finally finished in June 2023. It was completed with the help of a $1,500 grant from the State League’s Education Fund, which paid the cost of the videographer. We had a lot of fun collaborating with the Pasco High School Dance Team for this video and look forward to promoting the video in the lead up in the 2023 Election!

by Raelene Gold, LWVWA representative to the Columbia River Treaty NGO Caucus and LWVWA River Advocate

The Leagues of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana have been persistent and united in their long focus on the Columbia River. It began with writing the extensive “Wild River of the West” in 1956, which focused on the entire Columbia River and its dams. At the time, the 1964 Columbia River Treaty with Canada was being written. The Treaty ended up being an international model for cooperation for mutual benefit between nations sharing a river to maximize hydropower and prevent flooding, both of which the treaty achieved.

In 1980, the LWVWA did a study and wrote their positions for the Columbia River. The League of Women Voters of Washington engages in a formal study process to create our positions and issue reports to present current information about important subjects. Learn more about our study process, the formal process by which The League of Women Voters does studies and takes positions on issues.

In 2013 we sent comments that contributed to the Northwest Regional Recommendation for a modernized Treaty. Currently, the LWVWA belongs to the Columbia River Treaty NGO Caucus, working with religious and environmental organizations, as well as consulting with tribes and environmental groups in  British Columbia.

Our priorities are a modernized treaty that adds to the two existing treaty goals to prevent flooding and maximimize hydropower along the river. The new goal focuses on "ecosystem function," which includes the health of the river and managing flows to assist salmon migration, and also calls for an environmental or tribal voice to be added to the US Entity (treaty governance) to over see this new goal. We also have presented the LWVWA’s recommendations at the September “listening sessions” held by the US State Department and the US Entity.

The U.S. and Canada have been negotiating for a new modernized treaty for 18 sessions, and are planning another session October 12-13 in Portland, OR. Both countries have presented their proposals for the other to review, meaning the most difficult issues to resolve are in focus. One issue is a new flood control management agreement needed by September 2024, without which the U.S. would have to “Call Upon” Canada to prevent flooding by withholding water from its treaty storage reservoirs. This doesn't allow for the pre-planning preferred by Canada.  Also having a flood control agreement is of upmost importance for the lower Columbia River near Vancouver and Portland where most of the transportation infrastructure is in the floodplain.

Another possible contentious issue may be the “Canadian Entitlement,” the amount the U.S. pays Canada for hydropower benefits, which the utilities strongly insist needs to be reduced. The future impacts of climate change are also being considered; Canada is requesting more flexibility in its operations in this area.  

A welcome recent surprise with this work was the Biden administration and upper Columbia River tribes reaching an agreement to restore salmon populations to the upper Columbia River Basin, which have been blocked by the large Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph Dams. Money from the Bonneville Power Administration and Department of Interior will fund a tribal-led implementation plan for this project. This along with the third treaty goal of “ecosystem function” will further the restoration of the river and its iconic long migrating salmon.

Be alert for new “listening sessions” coming up that you may comment on or listen to. 

In early September, the LWVWA Board of Directors gave the Local News Committee the green light to move forward with advocacy and education in connection with the League's new position to support local news. This work is important because, as our study “The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy" notes, local news plays a crucial role in defending democracy and empowering voters. 

The committee's early efforts will include meeting with newspaper publishers around the state to discuss the League's work and support of Washington State SB 5199—bipartisan legislation that passed earlier this year that enables publishers to apply for a state Business & Occupation tax exemption. Attorney General Bob Ferguson asked that the legislation be introduced, saying the decline has made his work more challenging in several ways, including making it more difficult to educate people about how to file complaints about fraudulent business practices. Ferguson noted that one of his office’s highest profile cases, which resulted in a $12 million settlement against a motel chain, stemmed from a newspaper article that he read about the chain illegally providing information about customers to federal immigration officials. 

The Local News Committee is also invested in promoting greater news media training for students and the general public. Local News Committee member Joanne Lisosky (LWV Tacoma/Pierce County) is kicking off a pilot program to offer News Media Literacy training to teachers to Spokane Public Schools social studies instructors in early 2024. Lisosky, a Pacific Lutheran University professor emeritus, taught News Media Literacy, journalism, and communications for more than 20 years. 

Meanwhile, other state Leagues across the country continue to express their interest in LWV Washington's Local News Committee efforts. The Colorado state League was in contact with questions about the LWVWA study and position in preparation for a late September workshop titled: “No Local News: The Crisis Facing Democracy.” And in mid-September, Local News Committee member Lauren Snider (LWV Seattle/King County) responded to questions about the study and position for members at a Local League meeting in Virginia about rebuilding local news. The event in Hampton Roads was held in the wake of a series of newspaper closures in Virginia.  

The League's study can be read on our website and is also available on Amazon. You can purchase the paperback version for $9.52 or the e-book version for $1.99. 

What do local news, VOTE411, and an amicus brief filed on behalf of the State of Washington in State of Washington v. Meta Platforms have in common? These are all areas where the state League has been active in recent weeks.

The amicus brief asserts that voters are entitled to know who is paying for campaign ads posted on social media; finding out must be possible so voters can cast an informed ballot. News regarding a local news organization in Kansas speaks to the importance of keeping local communities informed about what's happening so voters can cast an informed ballot. Finally, Vote411, when it goes live on October 9th, will offer voters a way to learn about candidates' views in their own words. All of these are integral to empowering voters and defending democracy. This is what League does—in these ways and many more!

The League has many active volunteers and not everyone can be active at different points in their life; but if this is a time that works for you, check out your local League or contact the state League office to find out how to plug in. Democracy thanks you!

After hearing about the events in Kansas, the Local News Committee decided an op-ed was needed. Below is the op-ed created by Local News Committee Chair Dee Anne Finken (Thank you Dee Anne!) and sent out to newspapers across the state:

"News of the police raid at the Marion County Record in Kansas on Aug. 11 ignited outrage across the nation. Similarly newsworthy was the announcement by the county’s top prosecutor days later that he had insufficient evidence to justify the search or the seizure of the newspaper’s property or material.

Few of us know much about what happens in Marion County, an hour and a half southwest of Topeka and home to fewer than 12,000 people. The last time national attention focused on that section of Kansas was in 2010, over construction of the controversial Keystone Pipeline.

Condemnation of the raid by news organizations like The Seattle Times and free-press advocates is understandable. But beyond the police action, the events of the past week or so also should remind us of the vital role local newspapers play throughout the country, serving us all.

The county’s oldest newspaper, the Record has seen a number of owners, publishers and name changes in its 154-year lifetime. With a newsroom across the street from the Marion County Courthouse, it provides an accounting of the administration of justice in the region every Wednesday. Both its print and online pages keep readers informed about decisions by elected officials, developments in the schools and the ups and downs of local business, like recent coverage of the 50th anniversary of a local furniture store and an area dairy’s award-winning cheese.

Why does this matter?

In the past 15 years, for a variety of reasons, a quarter of local newspapers nationally have gone out of business; if the trend continues, we’ll have lost one-third by 2025. Washington has lost more than a fifth of its local newspapers and more than two-thirds of their newsroom staff members.

Research by the League of Women Voters of Washington as well as by scholars and others tells us local newspapers are critical to healthy communities. “The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy,” which the League published earlier this year, along with reports by Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and others, have linked the loss of a community’s newspaper with higher government costs, reduced voter participation, reductions in the number of candidates vying for local office, increased political polarization and less effective public health campaigns.

When they are robust and independent, local newspapers also fulfill the vital role of watchdogs, keeping an eye on the work of government and politicians, allowing the rest of us to sleep more soundly.

The League of Women Voters is about defending democracy and empowering voters. Local news is critical to this enterprise."

Mary Coltrane,
LWVWA President

by Karen Verrill, The State We're In: Washington Project Manager

The LWVWA is happy to report our popular civic education textbooks are now available in Spanish! This is one way of helping our Spanish-speaking residents feel welcome and to help them learn how government works in our state.

Our books, The State We’re In: Washington. Your guide to state, tribal and local government (TSWI) are available in two editions. One is designed for grades 6 and up and the other for use in elementary schools. These textbooks include information about Native tribes in Washington—how tribes governed themselves pre-contact, how they are governed today, and how they interact with Washington’s state and local governments. These colorful books include the ethnic and geographic diversity of our state and are designed to inspire students to become active citizens in their community.  

The Washington State Council for the Social Studies and the Washington State Indian Education Association have both endorsed these materials.   

Two years ago, the League learned the largest and fastest growing population in Washington are Latinos.  Thus, with the urging and support of LWV Snohomish County, we had our poster "What Does It Take to Be a Good Citizen?" produced in Spanish. This was followed by research on and the production of The State We're In: Latino History in Washington, which is available in both English and Spanish.

Recently the League shared these books with the Directors of the Multi-Language Learning Department at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). They encouraged us to get the elementary edition of TSWI and Latino History in Washington translated into Spanish because these textbooks would be useful in dual language classes. More than 40,000 students in WA are in these (English/Spanish) classes.

All of the above materials are now translated into Spanish, and digital copies of most can already be found in our shop. The rest will soon be available there and at the OSPI website.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to print the Spanish edition of the elementary edition of TSWI, the teachers’ guides, or Latino History in Washington due to lack of funding. We are currently pursuing grant opportunities to fund these amazing books—if you have experience with grants, we could use your help! Please contact Karen Verrill.

Please help us spread the word about these textbooks!

The books and downloadable materials in this article, as well as our other civic education materials, can be viewed here.

By Irene Finley, LWV Clark County Redistricting Committee Lead, Member of the LWVWA Redistricting Reform Task Force  

A Washington Western District Court judge ordered on Thursday, August 10, 2023, that Washington “redraw a legislative district in the Yakima Valley region because its current boundaries undermine the ability of Latino voters to participate equally in elections.” You can learn more here.

Highlights from the decision: 

• U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik invalidated the map for the 15th Legislative District drawn by the bipartisan state Redistricting Commission in 2021. 
  

• The district encompasses parts of five counties in south-central Washington and is represented by three Republicans.

• Lasnik wrote in his 32-page decision that the “line-drawing which, in combination with the social and historical conditions in the Yakima Valley region, impairs the ability of Latino voters in that area to elect their candidate of choice on an equal basis with other voters.”

• The state needs to reconvene the Redistricting Commission and draw up new boundaries, due to the state Legislature by Jan. 8, 2024, for enactment by Feb. 7.  
  

• If the commission does not meet the deadline, the federal court will decide the maps. “Regardless of whether the State or the Court adopts the new redistricting plan, it will be transmitted to the Secretary of State on or before March 25, 2024, so that it will be in effect for the 2024 elections,” Lasnik concluded.

The current redistricting process was established in 1983, when the WA Legislature created the bipartisan Redistricting Commission configured to have two commissioners from each of the major political parties and a non-voting chair. The redistricting process occurs every ten years, and is when new legislative districts are drawn nation-wide. This process was last undertaken in 2021.

The League of Women Voters of Washington has a long history with redistricting reform—with positions dating from 1955 ("Redistricting and Reapportionment," p. 17). Before the redistricting process in 2021, the League released a 2017 report, “A Review of Redistricting in Washington State” which concluded the need for redistricting reform even before the 2021 Commission failed to finish maps and settled or lost multiple lawsuits.

Before redistricting in 2021, the LWVWA also led public education and training opportunities, called Speak Up Schools, and convened listening sessions for communities across the State that resulted in a League-supported legislative map for the Yakima Valley, presented to the Commission. This map kept together most of Yakima and the Yakima Tribal Lands in southern Yakima County.  

Whether the Redistricting Commission is reconvened, or the federal courts remap the Yakima Valley, the new maps could change the 15th, 14th, 16th, and 8th legislative districts, perhaps others as well.

The Redistricting Reform Campaign Task Force is working to bring about needed change. To become involved, contact Issue Chair Alison McCaffree, amccaffree@lwvwa.org, (253) 720-6813.

Remembrance of Ruth Coffin Schroeder 2006-2023
LWVWA President 1983-1987

Ruth Coffin Schroeder, president of the League of Women Voters of Washington from 1983-1987, died on June 24 at her home in Yakima, six days after celebrating her 97th birthday.

Ruth grew up in Yakima where she developed her passion for community service and volunteer work, including the League of Women Voters, eventually becoming president of the local league. She moved to Seattle in the late 70s, enrolling at the University of Washington, and was soon invited to serve on the state board, taking on the human resources portfolio. In 1983, she was elected president of the state league.

Following her League presidency, Ruth was appointed by Governor Mike Lowry to a new citizens commission on government ethics and campaign finance reform. She also served on the Governor’s Commission for Judicial Conduct.

Ruth joined the board of Planned Parenthood of Seattle-King County after her League service, and also a book club composed mostly of League members. After her husband’s death she returned to Yakima, so was unable to attend book club. However, during the pandemic, when we all had to stay home, Ruth was able to rejoin the book group from Yakima, via Zoom.

Ruth was a wonderful and talented leader, a good friend and will be missed by all who knew her. A memorial will be held later in the year. 

Did you know that citizens can form a public hospital district (PHD) to fill unmet health care needs in their communities? Most people don’t know that—even when they live in an area that has a PHD.

What is a Public Hospital District? It is a special services district (think your library or fire department) organized to assure that a community has access to the services it deems necessary or desires.  It is formed by a vote of the people, governed by elected officials and paid for in part by property taxes like any other special service district, so the community has a vote on decisions made and on who makes those decisions. Typically the taxes required are similar to the other districts, because insurance, Medicaid and Medicare pay most of the costs.

PHDs are not just hospital providers. They can offer Emergency Management Services (EMS), hospice, palliative care, behavioral health and much more —and in fact, many do not even have a hospital. Look at this map to see if one of the 58 PHDs is in your area and links to what each PHD provides.

As hospital mergers become commonplace, especially in rural and medically underserved areas where healthcare is often paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, and fewer secular healthcare options are available, the role of PHDs in filling gaps in needed healthcare services such as end of life options and full reproductive healthcare may be seen as increasingly attractive.

There is now a webinar, PHD 101, that is available to local Leagues and the public, that explains what PHDs are and gives examples of what they do and how. It explores all aspects of PHDs to adequately inform people who are interested and to support League members feeling comfortable providing education for other League and community members.

You can view this webinar at one of the presentations scheduled this summer. At each of these, there will be a League team to answer questions.

•     Wednesday, August 16, 6:30 pm, register here

•     Saturday, September 9, Health Care Affinity Group, 1:00 pm 
  

•     Thursday, September 14, 6:30 pm, register here

For more information, see League of Women Voters of Washington—Public Hospital Districts: Making Democracy Work for Local Healthcare.

By Jen Winckler, LWVSC Communications Chair  

Among other tips and reminders for voting found in the Snohomish County Official Local Voter's Pamphlet, voters can find a QR code on page 38 that can be scanned with a phone's camera to open League of Women Voters of Snohomish County’s Candidate Forums page. From there, readers can find links to view or listen to all of the "virtual doorbelling" forums LWVSC hosted for this primary election.  

Thank you to the Snohomish County Auditor's office for helping spread the word about these nonpartisan forums! 

 

Are you ready for the August 1 primary election? Whether you are trying to choose between candidates for the races on your ballot, understand the ramifications of the state’s top-two primary system, or just register as a new voter, Vote411 can help.  

Vote411.org is a product of the League of Women Voters Education Fund. It's a prize-winning, nationwide online voters’ guide. In the state of Washington, it offers explanations of the election features peculiar to Washington as well as information on every candidate in every race in the state. 

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization which does not endorse candidates. Instead, it offers Vote411 as a tool to enable voters to make their own informed choices. All candidates for a race receive the same questions and voters can see their responses displayed side-by-side for comparison. 

The League of Women Voters of Washington publishes this online guide as a service to all voters.