Updates

2021 Election Protection
We are four weeks away from the last day to vote early in-person. Many localities will open up their satellite locations in the coming weeks!  We need as many hands on deck to support Election Protection for the last two Saturday’s leading up to Election Day (May 29th & June 5th)! Volunteer with us!

Important deadlines: 

• May 17 – Last day to register to vote in the June 8th Primary
• May 28 – Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot 
• May 29 – All locations for early voting in-person open 
• June 5 – Last day to vote early in-person
• June 8 – Election Day! Last day to vote in the June Primary

After record turnout last year, we are amped to continue with that momentum.  In anticipation of a record number of Virginians exercising their right to choose their candidate for the November general election, increased presence of election protection volunteers will make a major difference for voters this year in Virginia! Every eligible voter deserves to have their vote counted — that’s the cornerstone of our democracy. Our democracy suffers when eligible, registered voters are turned away from the polls, unable to find their polling place, or otherwise blocked or disenfranchised from exercising their rights. 

Can you help us spread the word? By one of the following:

• Sharing our volunteer recruitment content on social media; or 
• Using this direct link to recruit volunteers for Saturdays during early voting. 

Volunteer with us to protect the vote, sign up today! Or visit www.protectthevoteva.com for more information.

Redistricting
The Redistricting Commission is hosting its next meeting this Monday, May 10th. We hope you can join us by signing up to provide comments here (by Sunday, May 9th at 10 am), joining our live viewing here, or reviewing the materials here. This meeting will be led by Redistricting Commission Co-Chair, Mackenzie Babichenko. We hope to see you there!

 News

Elections 
“The first day of in-person absentee voting, also called early voting, for the June 8 primary elections begins on Friday. April 23, 2021 in Virginia. The last day of in-person absentee voting at your local registrar’s office is Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 5 p.m.” [WUSA9]. READ MORE

Former Virginia prisoners are ready to vote in the primary election. Governor Northam’s action “opened the door for over 69,000 Virginians who had been released from jail or prison to vote, run for office, serve on a jury or be a notary public. But with thousands of new eligible voters and elections in June and November, the next step is to get them registered.” [AP News]. READ MORE

Census
“Virginia’s population grew over the past decade but not enough to gain an additional seat in Congress, according to new figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau [in April]… Data release was the first to emerge from the nation’s once-a-decade head count. It showed that from 2010 to 2020, Virginia’s resident population grew by 7.9% to 8,631,393. That growth will not change Virginia’s allotted number of congressional seats, 11.” [AP News]. READ MORE

National
“REAL ID Deadline extended again for Virginia and other states. The deadline has been postponed until May 3, 2023, for Virginia and all other states. Officials said the new delay is due to the pandemic, which is making it harder for people to get into state motor vehicle departments and get the new IDs. Fewer than 50 percent of Americans have obtained their REAL ID.” [Patch]. READ MORE

Upcoming Events

Biden’s Joint Address Roundtable
May 7 – As a follow-up to President Biden’s Joint Address to Congress this week, Virginia LCV will be hosting a roundtable discussion with the Blue Green Alliance and Sierra Club Virginia Chapter on today, May 7th from 12-1pm. The panelists will discuss the ins and outs of President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, exactly how the plan benefits Virginians, and the significance of taking action on climate at the federal level. RSVP HERE. 

National Black Climate Summit 
May 11 – The Red, Black & Green New Deal Initiative puts Black liberation at the center of the global climate struggle, and addresses the impact of climate change and environmental racism on Black communities. Join the first National Black Climate Summit from M4BL’s newest initiative, the Red, Black & Green New Deal. RSVP HERE.

Holding Court: The Importance of Professional Diversity on the Bench
May 12 – Please join Alliance for Justice on Wednesday, May 12th at 6 PM Eastern for a Holding Court conversation featuring comments by Senator Elizabeth Warren and a panel discussion featuring Chris Geidner, Editorial Director at The Appeal, Elie Mystal, Justice Correspondent at The Nation, and Kate Shaw, Professor of Law and the Co-Director of the Floersheimer Center for Constitutional Democracy at Cardozo Law School, for a discussion on the importance, necessity, and positive impacts of professional diversity on the federal bench. RSVP HERE.

FREE Virtual Zumba Class! 
May 14 – Join the Virginia Progressive Leadership Project (VAPLP) for its second-weekend kickoff with a fun virtual Zumba class on Friday, May 14th at 6:30 pm. This is a free class that’s open up to all VCET and VAPLP networks. The class will be led by Sarah Alvarez. RSVP HERE.