TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Voters in Johnson county will decide 124 open seats in November.
(click HERE to learn more)
Voters in Wyandotte County will decide 63 open seats in November.
(click HERE to learn more)
Visit Vote411 to learn what you can do!
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VOTE LOCAL
I love Fall – the wearing of sweaters that resemble the changing colors of the leaves on a crisp autumn day. And, of course, all things pumpkin spice.
Fall with our League means two things: elections and the resumption of our monthly programs.
First, let’s talk about elections. Did you know EVERY year is an election year? You’ve heard of “buy local,” right? How about “vote local"? This election cycle is critically important as it’s all about local governing boards and local issues. We’re voting on local candidates who will represent us in local municipal government, local school boards, local community college trustees, and our local water resources with WaterOne. For Wyandotte County, local elections are similar. Wyandotte County residents will be voting on local unified government offices, register of deeds, BPU (board of public utilities), local school board, local community college trustee, and local municipal government in Bonner Springs and Edwardsville.
Here are just some of the local issues:
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Maintenance on our local roads we take for work, school, doctor’s appointments, and grocery shopping – just to name a few.
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Bus services for our children
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Bell schedules for start/stop school days
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School library books
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Local quality water resources
Voting is just one option you have for using your voice on these issues. Please exercise your right to vote during THIS local election cycle. Follow that up with encouraging your friends, family, and neighbors to vote.
Second, the League is returning to our monthly program meetings. We return to a new home - a single location to meet, share information, find ways we can engage in conversations with our elected officials, and to socialize with one another. September is also a return to our reimagined hospitality committee ready to offer a hot beverage and breakfast food to you.
We look forward to seeing you at our new location. Please take a few moments to say hello to someone you haven’t met before and introduce them to those you do know.
Finally, are you frustrated that we are in a state of limbo due to ongoing litigation efforts concerning local voter registration efforts? We could use your help with one of the following local League committees:
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Communications
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Programs
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Technology
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Membership
Co-Presidents
Janet Milkovich
Connie Taylor
| | September 9 Program Meeting - New Location (SMUUC)
9400 Pflumm Road, Lenexa
Immigration Crisis?
What is the state of immigration in the U.S. & Kansas in the 21st century?
Bring non-perishable food items and a friend!
Our panelists:
- Rekha Sharma-Crawford, immigration attorney in Kansas City
- Kim Steinmetz, Director of International and Immigrant Student Services at Johnson County Community College
- Joan Kelly, Community Integration Director at Jewish Vocational Services of Kansas City
Mary Sanchez, Senior Reporter with Kansas City PBS, will be our moderator.
You won't want to miss it. Bring your questions about the one area of confusion you have on immigration. Reservations are recommended; make your reservation here. The event may not be live-streamed or posted on our YouTube channel.
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Voter Registration Committee Asks for Your Help!
Look at these smiling faces seen at a recent voter event at Kansas City Kansas Community College! It feels great to spend time sharing voting procedures with fellow Johnson County and Wyandotte County residents. Please consider helping to staff a League table on one of the following dates:
- Saturday, Sept. 9 - Climate Action Conference at Rockhurst University, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 18 - Constitution Day at Johnson County Community College (Time TBD)
- Tuesday, Sept. 19 - National Voter Registration Day at Johnson County Community College (Time TBD)
- Tuesday, Oct. 5 - Lakeview Village, Lenexa 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 8 - Pride in the Park at Sar-Ko-Par Park, Lenexa, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Be watching our LWVJoCo League website soon for further details and an opportunity to sign up for these events. Go to the “Get Involved” tab near the top of the home page, then click on “Volunteer” from the drop-down menu to view the list of opportunities. Generally, we ask volunteers to serve only a 2-3 hour shift and most are indoors.
We need and appreciate any assistance you can give for these worthwhile and important events!
| | DEI - Honoring Latinos in America |
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15 each year to celebrate the Latino community. The 2023 theme is "Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power and Progress in America.”
Did you know that the Smithsonian will be building a National Museum of the American Latino as well as an American Women’s History Museum in Washington DC? The sites were identified in late 2022. The Molina Family Latino Gallery currently operates within the Museum of American History. The The National Museum of the American Latino has virtual exhibits and a Young Ambassador's Program (placing interns at Smithsonian-affiliated museums in Texas, Tennessee and Massachusetts).
The observation began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and became a month-long period in 1988. Sept. 15 is celebrated as a day of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates on Sept. 16 and Chile celebrates on Sept. 18. Many Spanish-speaking communities celebrate Dia de la Raza on Oct. 12, instead of Columbus Day. This “Day of the Race” recognizes cultures and traditions that were destroyed during European colonization.
Action steps:
- Research the amazing Latino murals throughout the KC area.
- Ask your librarian for books by Latino authors.
- Attend our League’s Sept. 9 program on immigration.
- Explore Hispanic and Latino communities of Kansas
- Support organizations such as El Centro, LULAC, AIRR, Kansas Latino Community Network, KS/MO Dream Alliance, Mattie Rhodes Center and the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission.
| SEPTEMBER OBSERVER CORPS REPORTS | READ SEPTEMBER OBSERVER REPORTS HERE
| GEAR UP TODAY AND PROMOTE THE VOTE! | Are You Ready for Election Season? Gear Up Today!
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Remind your friends, family, and neighbors that voting in local elections can make a huge difference. Make your statement in the LWV nonpartisan way. Use LWV merchandise to quietly speak loudly.
Election merchandise will be available at the September Meeting.
Car Magnets: $5
Yard Signs: $10
VOTE Pins: $20
T-shirts: $15
Please pay by cash or check. |
Monday - Friday, Sept. 11-15
Disability Voting Rights Week
Friday, Sept. 15
National Hispanic Heritage Month begins (ends Oct. 15)
International Democracy Day
Saturday, Sept. 16 - Monday, Sept. 18
KC Fiesta Hispana at Barney Allis Plaza
Sunday, Sept. 17
Constitution Day
Tuesday, Sept. 19
National Voter Registration Day
| Get the Latest Kansas Legislature News | LWV Kansas is a supporter of Kansas Rural Center's Policy Watch updates.
| Board and Committee Briefs
Saturday, Sept. 9
📆 Next Monthly Program: Saturday, September 9, 2023, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17
Announcement from the DEI Committee: NAACP Freedom Fund Annual Banquet (tickets HERE)
| LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS of JOHNSON COUNTY
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