League of Women Voters of Kitsap

Voters across the state can find information about the candidates on their ballots by visiting www.VOTE411.org.
The League of Women Voters of Washington has added local information to VOTE411.org to serve as a resource for all voters. The guide provides simple tools to help people navigate the voting process this November.

“Just key in your address and your candidate information follows,” said Linnea Hirst, LWVWA co- president. “This is one of the most important elections of our lifetime, and each of us has a role to play. Learning about our candidates and ballot issues is a good start.”

Nationally, in 2008, approximately 20 million voters found the information they needed through VOTE411.org, many of them young people and first-time voters.

“VOTE411.org is convenient, easy and empowering,” concluded Hirst. “I’ll be sharing it with my friends and family to help them prepare for Election Day. We hope you will, too.”

Share on Facebook

Wondering about health care reform and how it will work in Washington? Get answers to your questions at a public meeting, 1-3 p.m., Oct. 29, at the Norm Dicks Government Center, First Floor Chambers, 345 6th St., Bremerton, on the following topic:
Health Care Reform in Our State:
How Will the Marketplace Work?

LWV Kitsap and the Kitsap Public Health District will co-sponsor a presentation on our state’s Health Benefit Exchange (HBE). Michael Marchand, Director of Communications for the state’s HBE, will explain the program and how individuals and small businesses will be able to purchase health insurance that meets their needs.
The meeting will be televised later on BKAT. Premier media sponsor is the Kitsap Sun.
For information call 360-692-3571.

Share on Facebook

LWV Kitsap always has taken great pride in the wonderful work done by our members in service to the community. In the last month, three of our members have been singled out for commendation for their extraordinary efforts.

❈ Marge Thorne will be recognized by the State AARP with the Andrus Award for Volunteer Service at our next meeting.

❈ Susan Daniel received the C. Keith Birkenfeld Humanitarian Award for her efforts in founding the Dispute Resolution Center, Kitsap Legal Services and Leadership Kitsap.

❈ Lois Curtis was named 2012 Outstanding Philanthropist by the Bainbridge Community Foundation for her continuing financial support for a number of environmental, civic and educational causes over many years.

Share on Facebook

Here is the state League’s position on Referendum 74

Approve R-74, Civil Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

LWVWA supports this law which allows caring and committed same-sex couples to be legally married.

The Approval of Ref. 74 will provide equal access to the protection, respect and dignity of marriage, without taking anything away from other couples or families. It also firmly protects religious freedom, assuring that clergy and religious institutions will not be required to perform same-sex marriages.

The League of Women Voters was founded on a commitment to equal treatment under the law, regardless of sex. We continue to hold equality as a core value. This is reflected in the LWVUS’s position in favor of marriage equality.

Want to find out more? WashingtonUnitedForMarriage.Org

Share on Facebook

This news is from Pat Dickason, LWVWA Vice President and Action Chair:
You may remember that League filed an amicus brief in the Two Thirds Case (I-1053), challenging the Tim Eyman-backed initiative that requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate to boost taxes. And those of you who were at League Day earlier this year had the chance to hear from David Perez about the Voting Rights Act. David is the main attorney for our amicus brief, and there is a wonderful article about his work in today’s Seattle Times.

Please take a minute to read the article…and David’s comments below. Here’s the link: http://seattletimes.com/html/dannywestneat/2019234954_danny23.html.

And, here’s David’s comments (I had sent him an e-mail commending him on his great work):
Well, to be clear, I could not have done any of this if the League of Women Voters of Washington had not agreed to engage us as counsel. You are the ones who deserve the praise. Everyone’s calling it the “League of Women Voters’ brief” — so congratulations to you, too.

Share on Facebook

Mark your calendar and plan to attend our fall forums in advance of the general election. The first one will be Sept. 24 at the Norm Dicks Center in Bremerton.

Note a couple changes to our final forum, on Oct. 15. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. instead of 5:30. And it will include State Sen. Christine Rolfes (D), whose opponent has dropped out of the race.
Here is schedule of League of Women Voters of Kitsap forums:

Sept. 24, 5:30 p.m.
26th DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVES – POSITIONS 1 and 2
NORM DICKS CENTER, 345 6th St., Bremerton
Jan Angel (R) Doug Richards (R)
Karin Ashabraner(D) Larry Seaquist (D)

Oct. 4, 5:30 p.m.
35th DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVES – POSITIONS 1 and 2
NORM DICKS CENTER, 345 6th St., Bremerton
Dan Griffey (R) Drew MacEwen (R)
Kathy Haigh (D)) Lynda Ring-Erickson (D)

Oct. 11, 5:30 p.m.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER – DISTRICTS 1 and 2
POULSBO CITY HALL
Rob Gelder (D) Charlotte Garrido (D)
Chris Tibbs (R) Linda Simpson (R)

Oct 15, 6:30 p.m.
23rd DISTRICT
POULSBO CITY HALL

STATE REPRESENTATIVES – POSITIONS 1 and 2
Sherry Appleton (D) Drew Hansen (D)
Tony Stevens (R) James Olsen (R)

State Sen. Christine Rolfes (D)

Forums will be recorded and broadcast later on BKAT

For more information: 360-871-3993

Co-sponsored by NAACP Bremerton and Kitsap Historical Society
Premier Media Sponsor: Kitsap Sun

Share on Facebook

Mark your calendar and plan to attend our fall forums in advance of the general election. The first one will be Sept. 24 at the Norm Dicks Center in Bremerton.
Here is schedule of League of Women Voters of Kitsap forums:

Sept. 24, 5:30 p.m.
26th DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVES – POSITIONS 1 and 2
NORM DICKS CENTER, 345 6th St., Bremerton
Jan Angel (R) Doug Richards (R)
Karin Ashabraner(D) Larry Seaquist (D)

Oct. 4, 5:30 p.m.
35th DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVES – POSITIONS 1 and 2
NORM DICKS CENTER, 345 6th St., Bremerton
Dan Griffey (R) Drew MacEwen (R)
Kathy Haigh (D)) Lynda Ring-Erickson (D)

Oct. 11, 5:30 p.m.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER – DISTRICTS 1 and 2
POULSBO CITY HALL
Rob Gelder (D) Charlotte Garrido (D)
Chris Tibbs (R) Linda Simpson (R)

Oct 15, 6:30 p.m.
23rd DISTRICT
POULSBO CITY HALL

STATE REPRESENTATIVES – POSITIONS 1 and 2
Sherry Appleton (D) Drew Hansen (D)
Tony Stevens (R) James Olsen (R)

State Sen. Christine Rolfes (D)

Forums will be recorded and broadcast later on BKAT

For more information: 360-871-3993

Co-sponsored by NAACP Bremerton and Kitsap Historical Society
Premier Media Sponsor: Kitsap Sun

Share on Facebook

KCTS 9 and the League of Women Voters of Washington will present three pre-primary candidate forums this week on Channel 9:
• 1st Congressional District: Wednesday, July 25, at noon
• Washington Supreme Court: Thursday, July 26, at noon
• Washington Secretary of State: Friday, July 27, at noon

Local League member Kim Abel, former mayor of Port Orchard and now co-president of LWVWA, will moderate the forums along with KCTS 9 host Enrique Cerna. The debates will take place at the KCTS studios in Seattle and each will be one hour long.

Share on Facebook

It’s that time again. Election season is upon us once again, and this time it’s coming earlier than ever. The primary this year will be Aug. 7.
To help voters make up their minds, the League of Women Voters of Kitsap and the NAACP Bremerton will hold a series of forums in July.
Please plan to attend these free events and get to know your candidates. Here is the schedule:

July 9: Superior Court and Court of Appeals Judges, 6:30 p.m., Norm Dicks Center, 345 6th St., Bremerton

July 10: 6th Congressional District Candidates, 6:30 p.m., Norm Dicks Center, 345 6th St., Bremerton

July 12: County Commissioner Candidates, Position 2, 6:30 p.m., Norm Dicks Center, 345 6th St., Bremerton

July 16: State Representative Candidates, District 23, 6:30 p.m., Poulsbo City Hall

July 19: State Representative Candidates, District 26, Position 1, and District 35, Position 2, 6:30 p.m., Norm Dicks Center, 345 6th St., Bremerton

For information call (360) 871-3993.

Share on Facebook

Plan to attend the next League of Women Voters of Kitsap meeting.

Here are the details:

Kitsap County Shoreline Master Plan Update
Wednesday, April 18, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Eagles Nest, 1200 Fairgrounds Road NW, Bremerton
With speaker Dave Greetham, Land Use and Environmental reviewer, Kitsap County Department of Community Development
Greetham will present plans developed over a two-year span, with maps of designated shoreline environmental areas and regulations for each.
Come with questions, suggestions and comments. This is a work-in-process, but due to be completed by December 2012.
For information, call Judy Matchett at 360-830-4154.
The meeting will be videotaped and broadcast courtesy of BKAT.

Share on Facebook