Benton County Democratic Central Committee

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WA Democracy Legislative Newsletter – January 9, 2023

Washington State Democracy Legislation & Action Needed

The Washington State legislative session begins TODAY, January 9, 2023. Each year, Washington state’s legislative session begins on the second Monday in January. The Washington state legislature operates on a biennium, meaning each legislative session lasts two years and bills that are not passed in the first year are automatically carried over to the next year. This is the first year of a new biennium, which is a longer session lasting 120 days. There will be new bill numbers for every bill, even if there were similar bills in previous sessions. 

We encourage you to contact your local legislators in support of bills listed below, as well as other legislation your support. You can find your local legislators HERE.

*Please note things move quickly during the legislative session, and some of the info shared may change. Please check each bill page for the latest information.

Current Legislation & Action Needed This Week:

Enhancing Automatic Voter Registration:

Advisory Votes (2 bills):

Enhancing Voting Rights Act (2 bills):

Updating Online Voter Registration:

Improving Access for Jail Voting:

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Other Expected Democracy Legislation This Session:

Public Funding of Elections for Legislative Races

Summary: Creates a democracy voucher program (similar to Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program) to publicly finance legislative political campaigns. The program would provide Washington state residents four $25 vouchers that can be pledged to eligible candidates running for state legislative district offices. It allows eligible WA residents to participate in local government by supporting campaigns and/or running for office themselves.

Ranked Choice Voting for Presidential Primaries

Summary: Allows the presidential primary to be conducted using ranked choice voting, unless a party has fielded two or fewer candidates, in which case the presidential primary for that party shall be conducted in substantially the same manner as a state primary under this title.

Local Options for Ranked Choice Voting

Summary: Would permit the use of ranked choice voting (RCV) in elections for offices in counties, cities, towns, school districts, fire districts, and port districts, and establishes certain requirements for RCV ballot design and vote tabulation. 

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Join us for

Democracy Lobby Week 2023 – February 6-10, 2023

Attend this year’s Democracy Lobby Week 2023, jointly sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Washington and Fix Democracy First. This event will be held online February 6-10, 2023.

It’s going to be a busy and exciting legislative session! Lots of important legislation will be introduced and voted on, so here’s a way to get in on the action, and make your voice heard, including the chance to meet online with your state representatives and senators. 

Planned sessions include hearing about current legislation, learning from issue experts, getting lobbying tips on how to talk to your legislators, and opportunities to speak with your own legislators.

Our goal is to facilitate your participation in our Washington State government, and to give you the tools you need to work effectively with your legislators.

Preliminary schedule:

Monday, Feb. 6, 2023: Main program

• Updates and talking points on current legislation and issues for the legislative session
• Hear directly from a panel of legislators, both Republicans and Democrats
• “How to Lobby,” presented by the LWWA Lobby Team, including contacting legislators, following the progress of bills, developing talking points, and Q&A session

Tuesday – Thursday, Feb. 7 – Feb. 9

• Virtual meetings with your legislators during the day plus evening programs on topics such as proportional representation & ranked choice voting, campaign finance reform, climate, health, and more.

Friday, February 10

• Wrap-up. Evening Celebration – Share Suggestions & Feedback

Important Note: All events will be recorded (except for legislator meetings). If you are not sure you can make it to one or more of the events, please register anyway, as all registrants will receive links to all events.

FAQ:

How will virtual legislative meetings work?

During Lobby Week, members will have the opportunity to meet with their legislators to discuss upcoming legislation. Meetings with legislators will be scheduled by a local Legislative District Meeting Coordinator based on legislative districts. Most meetings with legislators will be during the day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, although some meetings may be scheduled at other times. Legislative District Meeting Coordinators will provide Zoom links and other information as needed.

How much does it cost to attend?

The registration fee is $5 per person. All proceeds from these fees and any additional donations will go to defray the costs of this event. Any surplus fees and donations will be split equally between the League of Women Voters of Washington and Fix Democracy First to support our important advocacy work.

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