Vote Nevada Supporters,
The Nevada State Democratic Party conducted its officer elections yesterday and I served as the ad hoc Election Chair. I have worked with members of the Republican Party who attended the Nevada Republican State Party officer elections as well. Based on those experiences, I strongly support addressing Nevada’s toxic political culture. The problem is more than the negative political ads each election cycle and it is not enough to have an anti-bullying policy.
We need frank discussions about how our two main political parties not only treat each other but also how they treat their own members. I plan to create opportunities for frank discussions as well as offer workshops this summer on civil conflict management and resolution; possibly with the Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution at UNLV. https://law.unlv.edu/saltman-center
There are better ways of practicing politics. Please take time to listen to Congresswoman Mary Peltola explain how her indigenous culture informs her approach to politics that rejects negativity:
https://vote-nevada.news/Mary-Peltola-Webinar-Recording
Vote Nevada hosted a Know Your Rights Zoom meeting with Rogelio Colon from the EECO and Athar Haseebullah from the ACLU NV on Friday. Rogelio provided an in-depth explanation of what the EEOC can do as well as the steps to take when filing an EEOC complaint. While Athar spoke about our new Equal Rights Amendment and how we implement a new part of our state constitution. You can watch the recording here: https://vote-nevada.news/EEOC-ACLUNV-Know-Your-Rights
Tomorrow, the Carson City Democratic Men’s Committee luncheon is featuring Karen Gedney MD, author of 30 Years Behind Bars: Trials of a Prison Doctor. Dr. Gedney is an internal medicine specialist who spent almost three decades as a physician in Nevada’s correctional system. The event starts at 1:30 pm for anyone who would like to Zoom in; you can request the Zoom link by emailing Rich Dunn at richdunn as one word and then @aol.com.
Tomorrow also begins week 5 of our legislative session. I am working with a large coalition that supports AB195, which has a hearing on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 1:30 pm.
1:30 PM
Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure
- Room 3143 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
- Videoconferenced to Room 4406 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.
We know a major barrier for formerly incarcerated Nevadans integrating back into society is the lack of a government-issued driver’s license when trying to access supportive services. AB195 will waive the driver’s test fee as well as the fee for a driver’s license for all formerly incarcerated Nevadans who apply within one year of release. These vulnerable Nevadans need this bill to pass.
I am working with the Disability Community this legislative session, so, I will be in Carson City Tuesday to help prepare for Developmental Disability Day at the legislature on Wednesday, March 8th. The disability community is interested in AB195 because they also face barriers to living fully integrated lives due to not having a “valid” ID. AB195 does not include providing free IDs for disabled Nevadans, but the hearing offers an opportunity to lift up the disability communities’ needs in a public space.
I hope one day the issue of needing an ID will be decoupled from the partisan debate over voter ID. Marginalized Nevadans need help getting a valid ID to access supportive services. We must help these Nevadans.
Reminders:
On March 8th, at 5:00 pm, via Zoom, Northern Nevada Indivisible is hosting an event: OUR FRAUGHT ELECTIONS, with Jamie Rodriguez, Washoe County Registrar of Voters. Ms. Rodriquez will review her plans for the 2024 election. RSVP: t.ly/-lFK
Ms. Rodriguez is working to improve internal procedures and training, and she also has plans to form a group of outsiders to provide input on how to improve the process in Washoe County.
It is vital that we work with our election administrators. We need as many solutions as possible to ensure mail-in ballots go to voters as smoothly as possible and to ensure we reduce the number of ballots that go uncounted due to uncured voter errors on mail-in ballots. 6,000 uncounted mail-in ballots in the general election is just too high. (Reference: t.ly/iTlx1)
Represent Women is hosting a Democracy Solutions Summit on March 7, 8, and 9th, via Zoom. Here is the description:
Our second annual virtual Democracy Solutions Summit brings together experts and leaders in election administration, voting rights, and democracy reform who are working on innovative solutions that upgrade and strengthen our democracy. Women experts will discuss a range of critical issues related to fair access, fair elections, and fair representation. Experts will focus on viable, scalable, and transformative solutions to build a 21st century democracy that reflects today’s needs and values.
Each day’s sessions run from 3-5 pm ET.
Day 1: Fair Access – Ensuring ballot access for voters and candidates
Day 2: Fair Elections – Upgrading US Presidential Elections
Day 3: Fair Representation – Ranked Choice Voting and the Fair Representation Act
You can register here: t.ly/rguc
On March 10th, from 9 to 10:30 am, via Zoom the College of Southern Nevada Women’s Alliance is hosting Women’s Hidden Diseases to discuss equity in health care. You can RSVP here: t.ly/jAecs
Thank you for being Nevadans with me,
Sondra
Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics
Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.
Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization. Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues. We do, however, accept donations Here
Vote Nevada 