“YOU ARE NOT THE BOSS OF ME” - ROBERTS RELEASES YEAR-END REPORT ON THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2024 03:00 PM Arizona on Zoom
Submitted by Bonnie Saunders w/edited excerpts from various news sources by Communications Chair, Judy Moor

The Supreme Court has been the subject of many recent articles about a variety of ethics violations by more than one Supreme Court Justice.  Public approval of the Supreme Court remains at historically low levels.  Yet Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts in his end of year report, made no mention of the ethics code adopted by the court in 2023 which has no enforcement mechanism.  Instead, he looked back on technological advancements in the nation’s court system, detailed developments from the quill pens used by justices in the 19th century and rambled on about artificial intelligence.  

The Supreme Court will be tested in the coming weeks to untangle politically consequential legal questions with the potential to reshape the 2024 presidential election. Join us for our fourth class on the Supreme Court Wednesday, Jan 17, 2024 at 3pm on Zoom.  We will discuss the issue of ethics in the Supreme Court.  It promises to be an interesting and civil discussion.
Join Zoom Here

NWMC MEMBERSHIP MONTHLY MEETING:
Empowering our Voices with AZ Legislative Request to Speak (RTS)

Saturday January 20, 2024, at 10 AM @ UU Church in Surprise

REGISTER HERE
Registration is required. Be sure to sign into the website before you register.  Click on Event Calendar and Jan. 20 meeting to complete your registration.

• Overview of Arizona state legislative process

• Review of how to use RTS online to respond to current bills

• Hands on training on setting up and signing into your  RTS account

• Hands on training on using your RTS account

If you have not requested a RTS account please fill out the Google Form Here  and a LWVAZ Advocacy member will set up an account for you at the Capitol. You will then receive an email with a temporary password which you can change when you create your RTS account on AZleg.gov.  We encourage everyone to bring a laptop or tablet to be able to participate and/or receive assistance with your RTS account. 

BOOK CLUB – TWO BOOKS ABOUT VERY STRONG WOMEN

Monday, January 22, 2024 at 3pm on Zoom
Submitted by Bonnie Saunders

We are reading two books about two very strong women for our next meeting.First is The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore about a woman whose inspirational journey sparked lasting change for women's rights.  The second book is The Other Einstein by Marie Benedi, which resurrects Einstein's wife, a brilliant physicist in her own right.  I hope many of you will read one or both and come to our discussion on Zoom at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024.  Come even if you don't read them or finish them -- our discussion might make you want to read them later.
JOIN ZOOM HERE  

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Sign up for 2024 Environmental Day at the Capitol

Note from Judy Moor—This is sponsored by the Sierra Club and is included in this VOTER as Climate Change is listed as a Tier I priority issue for LWVAZ for 2024.  This message is from Sandy Bahr, Grand Canyon Chapter Director of Sierra Club.

Thursday, January 25th 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
RSVP for Environmental Day at the Capitol here

Environmental Day at the Capitol is January 25th from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, so sign up now so you get all of the important preparation information leading up to the day. You can come for all or part of the day. Also we will be livestreaming portions of the program to YouTube so you can view it there.  This year, our theme is Save Water, Save Life. We will be focusing our lobbying efforts on water. You will hear from some great speakers, learn about what advocates from around the state are working on, and meet with legislators. More are being scheduled.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. No experience is needed and all are welcome!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
I HOPE YOU ARE READY FOR A VERY BUSY AND CRITICAL ELECTION YEAR!

Submitted by Bonnie Jackson, Voter Service Chair

GET INVOLVED LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MEMBERS!

• Start thinking about how you want to get involved because there will be a variety of activities coming up that you can choose from based on your skills and interest.  Our next membership meeting on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, presented by Lois Hansen, will involve learning how to use Request to Speak (RTS), an online program designed to allow League members and the public to register an opinion on bills that LWVAZ supports or opposes.

• Volunteer to track the progress of bills as they move through the state legislature that are the focus of LWVAZ.  This is critical because when bills are finalized, we will take on the responsibility of informing voters of any changes that might impact them and the election process in Arizona.  

• Another activity we like to be involved with is having our members get trained as a Deputy Registrar through the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office.  If already a Deputy Registrar, sign up to participate in registering new citizens at the Naturalization Ceremonies for January through April of 2024.  

• Another critical activity we are involved in now and going forward to July 1, 2024 is gathering petition signatures to get the Arizona for Abortion Access proposition on the ballot for 2024.  Get your blank signature forms from Tina Mollica, get the training available online, and take the petitions with you to encourage others to sign. 

• There will be several opportunities to gather petition signatures at the 38th Annual Arizona Gay Rodeo held on February 16-18, 2024 at the Corona Ranch and Rodeo Grounds, 7811 S 29th Ave, Laveen (Phoenix), Arizona. We are hoping to get groups of volunteers for 3-hour shifts over the three days.  We plan to carpool and enjoy the rodeo events as well!

In addition, we will host tabling events, collect and update information for VOTE411, participate in voter registration, provide handouts and voter information to community groups, and other voter activities as the year progresses.  Our next event is scheduled for the Sun City West Charter Clubs Open House, Wednesday, January 10th, 4-6pm.  If you are interested in participating in any or all of these activities, please contact me, Bonnie Jackson, jacksonb@outlook.com, or call 602-625-1298.

ARIZONA FOR ABORTION ACCESS CAMPAIGN AND LEAGUE INVOLVEMENT

About the Campaign

The Arizona for Abortion Access is a proposed ballot initiative that would amend the Arizona Constitution to add a right to abortion thus protecting abortion access in AZ, if passed in November 2024.  The League of Women Voters of Arizona has committed to obtaining a minimum of 10,000 signatures supporting the Arizona for Abortion Access ballot measure. The deadline for submitting signatures to the Arizona Secretary of State is July 3, 2024. The League petitions are identified by numbers within a range. For the League to get credit for the signatures, we urge our members to seek out a League location and sign our petitions.

The LWVMP is hosting an information session for members collecting signatures via Zoom on Monday, January 8th, 12:30-1:30pm.  Join Zoom Here The agenda will include:

• An update on the overall and the LWVAZ signature collection status.

• Share amongst ourselves what is working for gathering signatures

• Discuss any support you need

Distributing and Collecting Petitions 

ATTEND A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING IN JANUARY

 January School Board Meetings - Please check the school links for most accurate times and locations as events may change.

NWMC ANNUAL BOOK DRIVE

LAST CALL to donate to our 2024 Annual Book Drive for the Dysart Community Center in El Mirage.  We have collected 71 books valued at over $800. Thank you to all who have donated to this valuable project!
If you haven't donated, there are a few books we could use more copies of.  Order through the Amazon link, 2024 NWMC Annual Book Drive List, and the books will be sent directly to Tina Mollica.  The list has been updated with the number of books still needed (EXAMPLE: Need 5:Have 3).  We could especially use a few more copies of “Inspirational Sports Stories” (left).  Books will be delivered to the Dysart Community Center in early February.

RECORDER RICHER ENCOURAGES VOTERS TO CHECK BEBALLOTREADY.VOTE

For over 100 years, the League of Women Voters has been a nonpartisan, activist, grassroots, national organization that believes voters should play a critical role in democracy.  Your gift will help support our effective citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts at the local, state and national level, including voter services and education, outreach at collaborative nonpartisan events, team meeting activities, speakers and newsletters. 
You do not have to be a member to donate. We appreciate all donations!  The LWV is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(4) organization. Contributions, gifts, and dues to the NW Maricopa County LWV are not tax-deductible.  

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