Public Policy Blueprint 2019-2020 AAUW Summer Leadership Meeting 27 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Public Policy Blueprint 2019-2020

AAUW Summer Leadership Meeting 27 July 2019

Voter Registration and GOTV Legislative Agenda and Public Policy Priorities Survey

Voter Registration and GOTV

• Next Virginia Election: 5 November 2019

General and Special Elections

• Deadline to Register to Vote (or update an existing registration): 15 October 2019
• Absentee Vote: In person or by mail beginning about 28 September 2019. Special requirements

must be met. Key ink for information: https://www.elections.virginia.gov

GOVT Goal

• Making sure that every woman -- every person -- we can reach is

registered to vote.

• Making sure that the registered voter has all the information

needed to cast an informed vote (including bringing a photo ID and where her voting precinct is located).

Getting Out the Vote

• Key link for voter registration:

https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/registration drives/index.html

• Online voter registration course required yearly if 25 or more persons are

expected to be registered:

• https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/registration-drives/training-

video.html

The Do Nots of GOTV

• The activities do not expressly advocate the election or defeat of

any clearly identified partisan candidate or political party.

• The preparation for and conduct of election-related activities are

not coordinated with any candidate or political party.

• It is illegal to have AAUW advocacy materials at the voter

registration table. Emphasize that AAUW is non-partisan.

Legislative Action Plan

• Goal: Focus on AAUW public priorities with emphasis on Pay

Equity/Salary History legislation. This is a priority for the January 15, 2020, state lobby day when a trifold pamphlet will be distributed.

• Continue to work with VA Ratify ERA on ERA legislation.
• Support AAUW of VA Branch action on Human Trafficking

education and legislation.

Legislative Agenda

• Prepare voter guides, with assistance from AAUW National, for the upcoming elections

(perhaps with LWV) as a useful educational tool for voters to base decisions on which candidates to vote for and a means to highlight AAUW’s public policy priorities for current and future legislators.

• Reach out to the Virginia Department of Elections to ensure we are in compliance with

state laws about collecting information about legislators’ or candidates’ stands on AAUW

• issues. I.e., the guide cannot include non-public domain sources (such as direct or private

contacts with candidates or their staff).

• Send congratulatory letters to all newly elected delegates and senators as an introduction to

AAUW of Virginia and convey our strong support for pay equity/salary history bills and urge their support of equal pay legislation. Ask prior supporters of Pay Equity for continued support in 2020.

Sample Survey Question

Pay Equity

• No employer shall rely on the wage or salary history of a prospective

employee in determining the compensation for such individual.*

• Candidate X’s stand = Supports/Opposes/Unknown/Mixed

* 2019 Senate Bill No. 1636

Legitimate Sources

• Candidates’ speeches and public statements, stated positions, voting records and

co-sponsorship of legislation.

• Examples:
• For returning senators and delegates (based on an analysis of 2019 voting record):
• Delegate X sponsored HJR 579 (Equal Rights Amendment)
• Delegate Y voted “yes” for HB 1732 (Human Trafficking and Violence)

HP 1817 HB 1734 HB 2014 Note: entries were color-coded in the study to enable cross-comparisons with other legislators.

Decisions to Make

• Issues to survey: Pay Equity, the ERA, Human Trafficking?

Other?

• Strategy: Team effort by a volunteer committee?

Branch research on local candidates? Other? Please stay tuned. We will be in touch with AAUW of Virginia Branches for

• ther ideas and how each may want to support this year’s Public Policy Priority
• bjectives.

Save the Dates

• AAUW of VA Federal Lobby Day: Thursday, September 26, 2019 (tentative)
• Women Legislators’ Reception: January 14, 2020 (tentative)
• AAUW of VA State Lobby Days: January 15, 2020

February 12, 2020 (also, LWV’s Lobby Day)