2023-2024 Program Priorities

2023-2024 Program Priorities

(July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)

2022-2023 Priorities extended into 2023-2024

1. Voter Services: Continued Voter education and action, including civics education and voter registration drives in a variety of venues and for varying populations. Education about and advocacy against voter suppression methods (voter ID requirements, limiting early voting, barriers to voting by mail, mis- and disinformation about voting security and voter fraud). Maintaining awareness of the importance of redistricting, advocating for an independent redistricting commission, encouraging the LWVNC to be active in this area. Actively counter voting mis- and disinformation. Continue monitoring meetings of Boards of Elections in Buncombe and adjacent counties. Work for increasing access to voting by all eligible citizens.

2. Equal Rights Amendment and Gender Equity: Continue to push for the completion of the process to enact the Equal Rights Amendment and for the North Carolina General Assembly to ratify the amendment and address women’s rights at the state level. Advocate for gender equity in pay, access to health care, education, employment, and housing.

3. National Popular Vote: Support direct election of the President/Vice President and specifically advocate for the North Carolina General Assembly to replace the current Winner Take All law with the National Popular Vote Bill. Educate League members, other League Chapters, voters, candidates for NC House and Senate, and NC senators and representatives about the National Popular Vote Bill. Advocate for the LWV North Carolina to add the National Popular Vote to the Public Policy Positions.

4. Vote 411: Publicize the utility of Vote 411 for voters to get a wealth of information and assistance in both English and Spanish: voter registration, checking voter registration status, determining where and when to vote, finding information on candidates and their responses to questions from the LWV. Use a variety of means to convey this message – social media, print media, broadcast media, billboards, etc. Encourage candidates in all parties to participate for the primary and general election.

Additional Priority for 2022-2023

5. Reproductive Rights: Protect the Constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.

All League activities including Board Meetings, Action Team and Committee meetings, and other activities will incorporate the guidelines below to the fullest extent possible to further the League mission and values.

• Continue to build awareness through all available outlets including Member meetings, emails, website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Outreach Circles, and letters to the editor for local publications. As necessary in person and/or remote participation will be facilitated. Use the website to promote transparency by including Board meeting minutes and reports of meetings of Buncombe County Election Services.
• Fundraising via solicitation of individual donations, in kind donations, grants from the LWVNC and LWVUS, and underwriting of major efforts.
• Outreach and alliance with external groups that expand the League’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values.
• Engagement of a variety of groups, including youth, young adults, new and prospective voters. Encourage efforts to involve high school and college students and continue collaborations with the Girl Scouts Peaks to Piedmont.