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We are Winners!
From the launch on October 9th 2021 to sign waving in White Salmon on November 7th 2022. I (we) have been from one end of this district to the other like no other campaign. And as a result we have achieved great things while making many friends along the way.
For all you have done, thank you
The true heroes are those that give every day to strive for a better future for everyone. They do it without pay, privilege or acknowledgment. It is these selfless acts made on behalf of others, some of them hostile against them, because they believe that no person should be diminished. I am grateful.
Giving Tuesday is almost here…
Support democracy & receive some great gifts, too!
Giving Tuesday is almost here…
Giving Tuesday 2022 is November 29th. This year please support our work to strengthen democracy, and also receive some special gifts with your donation! It’s our way to say thank you for supporting our efforts for democracy.
We have two ways to give…
Donations to Fix Democracy First Education Fund, our 501(c)(3) civic education and outreach organization, supports all our civic outreach and public education programs including, our Democracy Happy Hours, our youth outreach program YO VOTE!, and Women in Office Now, which offers free training to women running for office. All donations to FDFEF are tax deductible.
Donations to Fix Democracy First, our 501(c)(4) advocacy organization, supports our work to expand and strengthen democracy through various reforms, including public funding of elections, getting big money out of politics, expanding access to voting, eliminating gerrymandering, and alternative voting systems like ranked choice voting and proportional representation. Donations to FDF are not tax deductible.
We can’t do this work without you!
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Artists Communicating Climate Change: Nelda Swiggett’s Jazz Quintet is Coming to Town
Richland WA: Climate change is fundamentally a science and technology problem, but the arts can drive the human response. Nelda Swiggett, a Seattle-area pianist, singer, and composer, created her multimedia jazz piece “The Alaska Suite: a story of beauty, loss and hope” to evoke a response from your heart.
“The Alaska Suite” features a five-piece chamber jazz ensemble performing Swiggett’s original music. But “The Alaska Suite” is not just a concert. The piece engages the power of artistic expression—live music, spoken words, images, poetry and audience participation—to connect audience members deeply and emotionally to the scientific realities of climate change. Swiggett’s artistic goal is to present a story of hope that leaves audiences inspired to take action.
Audience response speaks to Swiggett’s success at achieving her goal: “… spliced with a dialogue about climate science and solutions. It touches the emotional edges of our understanding and invites action from a deeper place.” —Louise S., concertgoer
“… wonderfully inspiring…. The content was informative without being
preachy; the music was magical….” — Gail M., concertgoer
Experience “The Alaska Suite.” Swiggett and her quintet will be performing “The Alaska Suite” on Saturday December 3 at Shalom United Church of Christ, 505 McMurray Street, Richland. Doors open at 6:30 pm for the 7:00 to 8:30 pm performance. Tickets are $15.
As transportation is the primary contributor to climate changing pollution in Washington state, this concert is raising funds to get more Columbia Basin College students on bicycles, the most efficient form of transportation. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Wheelhouse Community Bike Shop, which trains students of all ages to refurbish, repair, maintain and safely ride bicycles. Students earn bicycles and gear by completing their training and refurbishing two bikes under the guidance of Wheelhouse volunteer trainers. Each $150 in ticket sales will pay for the cost of a bike, helmet, lock, pump, and lights. Wheelhouse volunteers will be available at the event to answer questions and display a refurbished bike.
This concert is part of a tour to Yakima (7:30 pm Friday) and Ellensburg (6:30 pm Sunday) too.
Richland tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-alaska-suite-a-story-of-beauty-loss-and-hope-tickets-434745584747.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/431173352434425.
Yakima tickets at https://theseasonsyakima.com/events/partnership-events/nelda-swiggett-quintet-alaska-suite.
Ellensburg tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-alaska-suite-a-story-of-beauty-loss-and-hope-tickets-427471126647.
Learn more about “The Alaska Suite” available at http://alaskasuite.com.
The Wheelhouse Earn-A-Bike program is described at https://wheelhouse.bike/earn-a-bike/.
Contacts: Nelda Swiggett, Nelda Swiggett Quintet, nswiggett@gmail.com
Steve Ghan, 509-308-9023, steven.ghan@gmail.com
BADGER FORUM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 | 12 to 1PM
Should Washington State Adopt Ranked-Choice Voting?
FairVote Washington
University of Washington
Is Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) a better way to tap into the broader will of the people and improve the function in our civic affairs? RCV made several appearances in this election cycle. Various jurisdictions around the country have adopted RCV—from mayoral races in New York to congressional seats in Alaska.
Proponents argue that RCV makes democracy more functional by encouraging moderate candidates who would have to appeal beyond the party’s extreme base. Opponents often say RCV is costly, confusing and undemocratic, that a candidate who initially led voting with a plurality (say 43%) might not be the ultimate winner.
This is how FairVote Washington describes the process, “All of the first-choice votes are counted. If one candidate gets more than half the votes, they win – just like in any other election. However, if no candidate gets more than half of the first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. If your candidate was eliminated, your ballot goes to your next choice! That elimination process repeats until a candidate has majority of the votes.”
To explore this question more deeply, the Badger Club will present two speakers: Lisa Ayrault, Director of FairVote Washington, who will explain the format and rationale behind the RCV proposal to be introduced in the upcoming legislative session. Mark A. Smith, University of Washington political science professor, will provide research and perspective on both sides of the issue.
ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULED
January 19, 2023: 11:30 AM The Agenda will include election of Directors along with a report to the Membership on the club’s finances, programs, and plans for the future. The Badger Forum at Noon will be “Around the World in 412 Days, with former Pasco Mayor Matt Watkins. Register Here
COMING UP
(Registration is not yet open)
February 23, 2023 A Special 90 minute Badger Forum on Homelessness in the Tri-Cities, including a presentation by former Tri-City Herald Publisher Rufus Friday, who now heads a homelessness program in Lexington, Kentucky.
March 2023 (Date tbd) Extremists in Our Midst
This is just a reminder that the Washington State organization of the League of Women Voters has some excellent resources on becoming involved in your democracy.