Today is Labor Day, which became a Federal holiday in 1894 to celebrate the solidarity of unions and the working class. Here are two pieces to dive into as we recognize the efforts of working people who fought for their rights:
1.) Be sure to check out a recent Democracy Forum episode: Democracy and Unions: Do They Need Each Other? The show covers the historical and contemporary link between labor organizing and expanding political rights like voting. Listen here on demand.
2.) Check out the op-ed Unions and democracy go together co-authored by Ann Luther and David Madland. "Some advocates and analysts have been suggesting a symbiotic link between strong unions and a vibrant democracy. Their argument is that union organizing is an important, if not essential, tool in building a vibrant democracy, and has been almost since our founding." Read more here.
NEWS:
Our Legislative Scorecard is Almost Here: In the 2021 legislative session, we supported a number of priority bills that would improve our democracy and modernize our elections. Our scorecard reflects seven of these bills, ranging from Online Voter Registration to a Corporate Contribution Ban. You'll be able to see how your legislators voted on the bills and whether or not they participated in the Clean Elections program. Our scorecard will go live on Wednesday, September 8. Follow us on social media or keep an eye on your inbox for this special release.
Redistricting Update: The Apportionment Commission has a deadline in late September to submit a final proposed map to the Legislature, and we continue to urge the Commission to release draft maps as soon as possible so the public can offer substantial feedback on its proposals. The Commission is having its next meeting on Friday, September 10th at 9:30 AM. According to the BDN, the Commission may attempt to take on Congressional and State Senate maps at that time.
WHAT THE LEAGUE IS WORKING ON:
Vote411.org Volunteers Needed: As the summer draws to a close, we're looking ahead to voter engagement work this fall, and it's time to get Vote411.org going again. That’s our online voter guide. November is just around the corner, and we can't build the Vote411 database alone. We need dedicated volunteers who are excited to provide nonpartisan, accessible information to voters. That could be you! If you're interested in covering upcoming races in your area — or anywhere in the state — you can schedule a 45-minute workshop on how to use the system. If you're already trained and want to sign up to cover a few towns, just send a message to Evan at evan.tess@lwvme.org.