Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins at the Limelight

The Bellingham League is co-presenting Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins. Playing at the Limelight as part of the Pickford’s Doctober Film Festival. Buy your ticket at the Pickford.

We will be registering voters and sharing information about the upcoming election at the theater.

The Life & Times of Molly Ivins tells the story of media firebrand Molly Ivins, six feet of Texas trouble who took on the Good Old Boy corruption wherever she found it. Her razor sharp wit left both sides of the aisle laughing, and craving ink in her columns. She knew the Bill of Rights was in peril, and said "Polarizing people is a good way to win an election and a good way to wreck a country." Molly's words have proved prescient. Now it's up to us to raise hell!

Dates: Friday, September 27 through Thursday, October 3

News from LWVWA President: LWVUS Launches Fair Maps Redistricting Strategy

By Lunell Haught, LWVWA President

The League of Women Voters of the United States will be leading a national 50-state redistricting campaign focused  on creating fair political maps nationwide - the People-Powered Fair Maps Campaign. Although Washington is in much better shape than many states, we’ll be part of this effort.

The June 27, 2019, decision by the United States Supreme Court in three partisan gerrymandering cases (including Rucho v. League of Women Voters of North Carolina) was a call to action for the League of Women Voters. When the court decided to take a hands-off approach to redistricting, the League decided to jump into a people-powered fair maps campaign to ensure fair representation across the country.

Because the Supreme Court has said they won’t hear any more of these cases, state legislators have a green light to continue this undemocratic process that silences voters. We don’t have an equal playing field when it comes to election maps across the country, and the redistricting process set to begin in 2021 is in danger. We do not have to rely on the Supreme Court to solve partisan gerrymandering.

The LWV campaign includes:
-Education/Advocacy
-Organizing and Mobilizing
-Partnership Building
-Ballot Initiatives/Referendums
-State Constitutional Option/Litigation
-Federal Legislative Fixes

The League will ensure that there is an opportunity to restore the Voting Rights Act prior to the redistricting cycle in 2021. The pending Voting Rights Advancement Act modernizes the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

The national board authorized half a million dollars to launch this campaign, and every state League will receive some of that funding through grants. This work will look different in each state, and the campaign will be unveiled to all members on the People Powered Fair Maps Campaign Tele-Town Hall on September 4th from 3:00-3:45 p.m. PDT. Register now!

This campaign is going to be the major focus of the organization over the next several years, and I’m excited for Washington to be a part of it.

Volunteer to Register Voters

Calling all members of the Bellingham/Whatcom County League of Women Voters.

Do you enjoy meeting new people, like helping people and enjoy providing a service to your community? If so, we have great opportunities that check all the above boxes.

Be a Volunteer with Voter registration at local Whatcom County businesses, community events, and schools. The LWV is non-partisan and welcomes volunteers who are interested in spreading the word “EVERY VOTE COUNTS”. For more information, contact: Cam Kerst, camkerst@comcast.net

Primary Election

Ballots Mailed on Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Get ready to vote Whatcom County, Primary Election ballots are being mailed Wednesday, July 17th.  Voters can also expect to receive the Local Voters’ Pamphlet within a few days of the ballot, Auditor Debbie Adelstein said.  

Ballots can be returned in an official ballot drop box up until 8:00 pm on Election Day, August 6.  All 18 drop box locations are printed on the insert that is enclosed with the ballot as well as in the Local Voters’ Pamphlet.  

If you decide to return your ballot by mail, no stamp is needed. The ballot envelope will still need a postmark no later than Election Day, August 6, for your ballot to be counted, however.  The USPS recommends mailing your ballot one week before Election Day.  

If a voter doesn’t receive their ballot by July 26, they should call the Election Division of the Auditor’s Office at (360) 778-5102. 

For additional information contact:  County Auditor Debbie Adelstein at (360) 778-5105.