Stay engaged
Nominate your favorite history teacher
This spring, the Case Method Institute is inviting Leagues across the country to nominate high school history, government and civics teacher to attend its free online professional development workshop. After completing this workshop, teachers will be equipped to lead case-method style discussions in their classrooms and community forums. The training is designed to help teachers more effectively train students for active citizenship. If you know an enthusiastic, impactful high school social science teacher, contact Candy Birch to learn more or to nominate a teacher who might be interested in this exciting FREE professional training. We can nominate as many worthy candidates as we want.
Fewer rejected ballots. New potential restrictions.
Prior to the November election, many states were concerned about potentially high volumes of rejected ballots. In many cases, this led to widespread education campaigns addressing common reasons for rejected ballots. There were also extended "cure periods" to allow voters an opportunity fix minor errors.
The actual rate of rejected ballots dropped significantly. This implies the many education campaigns, improved instructions, and other efforts to reduce rejections worked, but some lawmakers argue that the drop supports theories of fraud. Several have pledged to restrict voting by mail in the future.
Read the full USA Today article, including rejection statistics, proposed changes, and more.
The For the People Act
The For the People Act, previously passed by the House but not voted on by the Senate, has been reintroduced to the House of Representatives. This Act contains a package of reforms that would:
- Expand and protect voting rights and access to the ballot
- Put ordinary Americans ahead of Big Money donors
- End gerrymandering to ensure electoral districts are fairly drawn
The national League is a sponsor of this act. Sign your name to show your support here.
SMSD bond issue
If you live in the Shawnee Missions School District area, your ballot on the district's proposed bond package should have arrived sometime last week. You can review information about the bond package here. Ballots are due by Jan. 26.
MLK Day virtual celebration
The University of Missouri will host “Infinite Hope: The Power and Possibilities of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Vision” with keynote speaker Ambassador Andrew Young. All members of the community are invited to this virtual celebration of Dr. King’s legacy, his civil rights work and how the changes he advocated for are profoundly affecting our world today. The event will take place 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26. More information, including a link to attend the event, is at www.mlk.missouri.edu
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