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April 2024 Commentator

Calendar:

April 10, 2023- By-laws Committee Meeting, 7 PM

April 17, 2024 Energizing Young Voters Program at Livingston High School- for LHS Students

April 17, 2024- Board of Directors Meeting, 6:45 PM Via Zoom

April 17, 2024, Great Swamp Watershed Program, Via Zoom 7:30 PM





PRESIDENTS’ MESSAGE

Our April program will feature Sally Rubin, Executive speaking about the history and current challenges related to the Great Swamp. Director of the Great Swamp Watershed Association, Rubin, will delve into the history of the Great Swamp starting with the fight against the proposed jetport in the 1950s which would have drastically negatively impacted the entire region. Ms. Rubin will talk about current challenges of the Great Swamp and the

Passaic River region, what the watershed association does, including environmental education, water monitoring, land preservation, and land stewardship, and the need for watershed advocacy.


The link for the Zoom meeting which will be at 7:30 on April 17, is as follows:



Membership

Please remember to renew your membership if you have not already done so. You can fill out

membership forms and pay online this year. You will still be able to submit checks if you wish. Please contact us if you wish to pay by check or are unable to connect to our website:


Voter Service

On March `14th, Laurie Babij and Robin Weiss assisted the League of Women Voters of the Montclair area in registering voters and providing voter information at a new Citizens swearing-in ceremony at the Federal Courthouse in Newark. Former residents of countries throughout the world became new US Citizens and were enthusiastic about the prospect of voting in US elections.


As part of the State “Energizing Young Voters” program our League, with the help of our student members will educate Livingston High School students about the importance of voting and register eligible students to vote.


The legislative committee consisting of Nishna Makala, Amy Ipp, Judith Friedman, Robin Weiss and Hudson Stelmak (And Montclair League member Jennette Williams) interviewed Assemblywoman (And our League member) Rosura Bagolie asking that LWVNJ provided. This is part of an effort for Leagues around the state to interview all of the State legislators. We are still trying to schedule interviews with State Senator John McKeon and Assemblywoman Alexian Collazo-Gill. Assemblywoman Bagolie provided insightful, well-thought out responses.


From the LWVNJ


The County Line:

In a resounding victory for democracy, the Court in Kim v. Hanlon, a case challenging New Jersey’s use of the unconstitutional and discriminatory county line, granted plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction – barring use of the county line on New Jersey’s ballots in the June primary election. The Court ordered counties to use the fairer and more commonly used “office block” design on their ballots. The League of Women Voters of New Jersey, along with Salvation and Social Justice, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice and New Jersey Policy Perspective – represented by the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and Campaign Legal Center - filed an amicus brief in this case. "It's a new dawn for democracy in New Jersey," said Jesse Burns, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of New Jersey. "Power is finally shifting to voters, where it belongs. This decision is years in the making and wouldn't be possible without the efforts of so many in our state working to chip away at the undemocratic and unconstitutional line."


OPRA:

Earlier this month the League jumped into action when dangerous guts to the Open

Public Records Act were proposed by the NJ Legislature. When A4045/S2930 was rapidly

scheduled for committee hearings in the NJ Assembly and NJ Senate on March 11th we

mobilized our members and partners to fight back. Over 3,600 people used our action

alert to urge their state legislators to oppose the bill and slow down the process. Our

hard work meeting with legislators, testifying in Trenton, educating the public, and

organizing a coalition paid off when A4045 was pulled from the Assembly

Appropriations Committee schedule at the last minute on March 14th. Slowing down the legislation was an important victory, but our job is not done. Join us on April 2nd at

6pm to stay updated and discuss the next steps needed to ensure OPRA stays intact in New

Jersey. OPRA Campaign Update for League Members:


Join us on Tuesday, April 2nd at 6pm for a detailed update on the proposed OPRA legislation (A4045/S2930) and next steps for local Leagues and League members to take.


All Hands – Voter Services Call 4/4 at 6pm.

o Join us for a final strategy call in advance of the 2024 primary election. During this call,

League members will go over best practices to actively engage in voter registrations,

educating the public, leading candidate forums, and getting out the vote for the NJ primary.



Election Information - Important Dates/Deadlines:

April 10, 2024 – Affiliation Change Deadline

High School voter registration week: 4/14/24 through 4/20/24

May 14, 2024 – Voter Registration Deadline

May 28, 2024 – Vote-By-Mail Application Deadline (by mail)

June 3, 2024 – Vote-By-Mail Application Deadline (in-person)

May 29 - June 2. 2024 – Early Voting

June 4, 2024 – Primary Election Day

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