T T T H H H E E E L L L E E E A A A G G G U U U E E E O O O F F F W O O O M E E E N N N V V V O O O T T T E E E R R R S S S O O O F F F T T T U U U L L L S S S A A A M E T R O T U L S A V O T E R, V O L U M E 3, I S S U E 1 2 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 0 I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : A B R I E F C O N V E R S A T I O N W I T H A T T O R N E Y J I M T H O M A S M E E T T H E L E A G U E S N E W C O M M U N I C A T I O N S D I R E C T O R V O T E R S E R V I C E S 4 D E C E M B E R U N I T M E E T I N G C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S N E W D E S I G N F O R W E B S I T E 2 3 4 5 6 W H Y W E R E F I G H T I N G T O E N S U R E A L L O K L A H O M A N S K E E P T H E I R R I G H T T O V O T E The right to vote is one of the most important principles of a free society. We could probably debate whether freedom of speech or the right to vote comes first. They are certainly closely related. The League of Women Voters was founded 90 years ago to support the right to vote. We fought to gain the vote for women, for minorities and for 18-yearolds, and we have worked to remove barriers to voting like poll taxes and literacy tests. Voter ID is another roadblock to voting. The Oklahoma State Constitution protects the right to vote. It s pretty clear: No power, civil or military, shall ever interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage by those entitled to such right. Art. 2, Okla. Const. Bill of Rights, 4. Most of us have photo ID and many won t mind standing in line a little longer at the polls or being taken aside to cast a provisional ballot. We re accustomed to being asked for photo ID when we travel by plane or take advantage of other privileges presented in our daily lives. But voting is not a privilege, like air travel; it is the most basic right of citizenship and no barriers should be set up to stop our fellow citizens from exercising that right. V O T E R I D The recent passage of the State Question requiring that voters produce a photo ID or their voter registration card creates a barrier for some Oklahoma citizens. In fact, Governor Henry's office estimated that up to 78,000 Oklahoma citizens currently have no government issued photographic identification. And many of these people simply don t have the resources or ability to secure one. They are mostly elderly, poor or disabled people who do not have transportation. Does age, poverty or disability make a citizen any less worthy to have his or her voice heard at the ballot box? The state election board has estimated that enforcing Voter ID will cost upwards of $100,000 every year an unnecessary expense this state can hardly afford at a time of serious budget shortfalls with cut backs in education funding, medical services and other critical needs. This new Voter ID requirement is a solution in search of a problem. Election boards and polling places already have stringent protections in place to preserve the integrity of Oklahoma s election system. Even proponents of Voter ID agree that there is no evidence of voter impersonation in Oklahoma elections not one single case. The League will always stand up and advocate for the right to vote it is the reason we were founded; it is what we do; it is who we are.
M E T R O T U L S A V O T E R, V O L U M E 3, I S S U E 1 2 Page 2 A B R I E F C O N V E R S A T I O N W I T H V O T E R I D A T T O R N E Y J I M T H O M A S P rofessor James C. Thomas, University of Tulsa College of Law, is the lawyer offering his services on a pro bono basis in the lawsuit challenging Voter ID. We thought League members would like to know about Professor Thomas and why he s chosen to take on this case. Professor Thomas earned his J.D. from the University of Alabama and his LL.M. from New York University. He is a member of the bar associations of Alabama, Oklahoma, the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the District of Columbia Circuit. Professor Thomas joined the TU College of Law in 1963. Q: Why did you decide to take on the Voter ID issue? A: There is no simple answer to this, except that I view it an obligation to take on abuses of power by the legislature. Perhaps it comes from my being raised in an orphanage, where the residents stood up for each other. There was no individualism, as such. Then, there is the influence of the words attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller (a German theologian who spoke out against Adolf Hitler during WWII): They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up. Q: What does the Oklahoma Constitution say about the right of suffrage? A: No power, civil or military, shall ever interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage by those entitled to such right. Art. 2, Okla. Const. Bill of Rights, 4. All elections shall be free and equal. No power, civil or military, shall ever interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage, and electors shall, in all cases, except for treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance on elections and while going to and from the same. Art. 3, Okla. Const. 5. Q: What does taking on this case Pro Bono mean and how are you able to do this? A: Pro Bono is a Latin phrase, used quite frequently in the legal profession. Literally, the word Pro mean for or in behalf of. And Bono means good. So putting them together, you have for the good or for the public good. Pro Bono is equivalent to volunteerism, much as the members of the League do. How am I able to do this? As I stated above, I consider this an obligation, as I think all people should feel obligated to do something good for all people. I have the legal skills that allow me to handle these types of cases that go unattended absent volunteerism. I can volunteer my time and skills because I don t need the money. Q: Are there other things about this case that League members need to know? A: At this early stage, it s a waiting game. The legal system does not work at great speed. But, as the case progresses, I will keep you informed.
M E T R O T U L S A V O T E R, V O L U M E 3, I S S U E 1 2 Page 3 N E W B O A R D D I R E C T O R S P O T L I G H T : M E E T O U R C O M M U N I C A T I O N S D I R E C T O R W e have recently added a communications expert to the Board of Directors. Heather Hope Hernandez brings more than 18 years of public communications experience to our efforts to make our positions better known to the media and to the wider public. A native Tulsan and University of Oklahoma graduate, Heather spent 12 years in Washington, D.C., and New York City as a political journalist first covering the U.S. Congress for such publications as Congressional Quarterly and then covering national politics for an international cable news network. Upon returning to Tulsa in late 2003, she spent the next three years as a senior staff member on national, state and local political campaigns. She now works with her husband at his company, HKH Advertising, while also caring for their 14-month month-old old daughter Maggie. Heather is our new go-to person for media relations and communications policy. In that role, she will be working with us to improve both our external and internal communications so that we can get our message to the media while we continue to make sure our members stay informed. It s important for the League to speak with one voice, delivering consistent messages that accurately reflect our mission and positions. So, if you re contacted by a reporter or have an issue that needs to be shared with the news media get in touch with Heather: heather@hkhadvertising.com.
M E T R O T U L S A V O T E R, V O L U M E 3, I S S U E 1 2 Page 4 V O T E R S E R V I C E S R E P O R T W ith great enthusiasm and high voter turnout (about 81%) the November 2, 2010, elections came to an end. We witnessed democracy in action. On Election Day the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Tulsa provided free transportation to the polls to 13 Tulsans and assisted about 50 citizens with early voting. We also provided vital information via telephone to many registered voters. Congratulations to all our volunteers for a wonderful and well done job. For Better or for Worse the people of Tulsa spoke and we applaud their efforts. Hasta el próximo año! (Until next year!) Blanca E. Zavala Voter Services O N E U N I T M E E T I N G I N D E C E M B E R The Midtown Unit of the Tulsa League will be the only unit to meet this month. The discussion will be a continuation of November's study of city government, What s Best for Tulsa? Unit member Mary Jane Lindaman is researching what other Leagues may have for study materials on non-partisan municipal elections. Midtown Unit December Meeting Tuesday, December 14 Meet at 11:30 a.m. for social time Study hour 12:00 to 1 p.m. All League members are invited to attend and continue this timely discussion. Call Marjorie Swofford, 224-2599, for more information.
M E T R O T U L S A V O T E R, V O L U M E 3, I S S U E 1 2 Page 5 December 2010 Calendar of Events Sunday, December 5 2pm 3pm LWV Board Meeting Where: Sophian Plaza Lobby 1500 S. Frisco Ave. 3pm 5pm LWV Holiday Party Where: Sophian Plaza Lobby 1500 S. Frisco Ave. Wednesday, December 8 12pm 1pm LWV Local Study Committee What s Best for Tulsa? (Study of local government) Where: League Office 3336 E. 32nd Street Tuesday, December 14 11:30 am 1pm Midtown Unit meeting Where: LWV Office 3336 East 32nd Street Monday, December 20 Deadline Tulsa Metro Voter articles. Please send January events and articles to newsletter@lwvtulsa.org. Thursday, December 23 to Monday, January 3, 2011 The Metropolitan Tulsa League office will be closed for the holidays. Happy Holidays Please send January and February 2011 calendar items to newsletter@lwvtulsa.org no later than December 20th
T H E L E A G U E H A S A N E W W E B S I T E Same address, lwvtulsa.org, but a completely new look and feel. Visit our virtual home today and take a look. around. We know you ll love it as much as we do! T H E L E A G U E O F W O M E N V O T E R S O F T U L S A 3336 East 32nd Street Suite 1B Tulsa, OK 74135 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage P A I D Permit No. 156