Visits since September 8, 2020
Priority Items, Meetings and Events
Next Meeting,
April 26: Final Legislative wrap up! What legislation passed and will be come law? What bills are now on hold until next year's session?
People Powered Fair Maps is a nationwide redistricting campaign of the national League of Women Voters, focused on creating fair voting districts in all 50 states. Learn more about how Skagit LWV is supporting this national effort and how Speak Up Schools are part of the effort in Washington State. Register for Redistricting 101 and learn about district maps and how you can make your voice and your vote count.
National Day of Action on April 29
- Saturday, April 24. Attend the public premiere event of Politics of the Possible in Action's play Many Maps, One Voice - now in video.
- Thursday, Apr 29, 5:00-6:00 pm, Statewide Map Listening Session: We are planning to reveal a draft map and then have groups by region discuss pros and cons.
- Thursday, April 29, 6:00-7:30 pm: Data Lenses Workshop: Explore the demographics of Washington state and the implication of changing district lines along these demographics. This session will give an overview of the state and have examples from the Kitsap Co. area.
Upcoming Meetings
Washington LWV 2021 CONVENTION: THE NEXT HUNDRED YEARS: DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
June 24 to June 28
Filibuster Rule Statement
3/30/2021
WASHINGTON – Today the League of Women Voters CEO Virginia Kase issued the following statement about the Senate filibuster rule:
“The League of Women Voters calls on the US Senate to amend the filibuster rule that continues to stand in the way of progress for the American people. The League has a history of calling for filibuster reform to ensure a functioning democracy. In 2011, the League called for filibuster reform to end gridlock and partisan warfare in the Senate. Today, we are seeking the same reform to limit obstruction.
“The American voters elected senators to legislate, and we want to see Congress pass laws—not use outdated, arbitrary rules with a history of racist ties to obstruct our democracy. The Senate filibuster is a Jim Crow relic, historically used to protect the South’s dependence on slave labor and later to defend segregation and block civil rights legislation.
“The League supports reforming the filibuster to prohibit a minority party from blocking opening debate of a bill. We support instituting a ‘talking filibuster,’ ending silent holds, putting the onus on minority parties to produce 40 votes, and lowering the cloture vote threshold to bring bills to a final up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.
“As long as senators can hide behind the filibuster, they are not beholden to the American people. Under current rules, senators far too often abuse the filibuster to delay important legislation and conceal debate behind closed doors, out of the view of the American people.
“This does a disservice to our democracy. The American voters deserve to see which of their elected senators are obstructing a vote on issues that matter to our communities, the nation, and the health of our republic. Those wishing to block action should be held accountable and required to hold the floor of the US Senate to explain themselves to the public.
“Our nation deserves better. The American people are tired of seeing this archaic tool used and abused to delay progress. It is time to amend the filibuster for the health and safety of our democracy.”
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CONTACT: Sarah Courtney | 202-263-1332 | scourtney@lwv.org
Additionally, we have published talking points and FAQs for Leagues to use on the League Management Site CLICK HERE.
