2020 - 2022 Events
2022
Winter Conversations with the Interior Delegation
Nov - Dec 2022
We hosted both in-person (at old University Park School) and online opportunities for members to talk with the Interior Delegation. We had overviews and time for questions with Reps. Prax, Carrick, Stapp, Tomaszewski, and Dibert, and Sens. Bishop and Kawasaki (Joe Hayes). We missed hearing from Sen. Myers and Rep. Cronk.
GO Winter! Expo
October 21 -22, 2022
Thanks to everyone who participated in LWV's practice ranked choice voting demonstration at the Go Winter! Expo. We offered voter information and voters ranked their preferences for favorite winter activity: dog mushing, sledding, hockey and cross country skiing.
Among kids, the clear winner was dog mushing with 2/3 of votes in the first round. Because one option had a majority of votes (50% + 1 vote) in the first round, there was no need to further process ballots.
Among adults, there was an exact 50/50 split between the top two candidates, dog mushing and sledding. In an actual election, Alaska law states that the winner will be selected by coin toss. Similarly, if the ranked choice voting process were used and any round had a tie for least popular candidate, a coin toss would be used to determine which candidate continues to the next round.
The Alaska Division of Elections website, elections.alaska.gov, has many helpful resources to explain ranked choice voting if you'd like to learn more.
Register Wolfpack Students
September 29, 2022
Members Shari George and Martha Raynolds registered students to vote at West Valley High School. There are students who will be old enough to vote in November and can register in time but miss the PFD automatic registration. Lots of energy at the school! It was also the same day as their School Board Candidate Forum
New Citizen Ceremony
September 9, 2022
Morris Thompson Cultural Center
The Literacy Council hosted a wonderful New Citizen Ceremony at the Morris Thompson Building. Eleven new citizens were celebrated in the auditorium with certificates and flowers.
A few recipients told heartwarming stories about their paths to citizenship, like the young mother who delivered twin preemies in Fairbanks but still kept her citizenship testing & interviewing appointment by driving down to Anchorage three days later.
As you may know the Fairbanks Federal Courthouse no longer hosts citizenship applications, so Interior residents now have to travel to Anchorage at least twice for fingerprinting and tests.
Another young woman gave League members more information than we dispensed to her, by explaining to us how the application process can vary from three years to 10 depending on the applicant’s circumstances. She said she chose her pathway to citizenship through enlisting in the army because she felt she “wanted to give this country something in return for everything the country gave me, and to make my mother proud”.
After the short ceremony everyone enjoyed an excellent array of delicious foods prepared by Literacy Council staff and board members.
Carol Ann Varner brought the famous League Suitcase filled with beautiful decorations as well as Voter Information and Registration applications. Sue McHenry, David Weissman and Phyllis Tugman-Alexander assisted with Voter Registration, food sampling and clean-up.
Straw Poll Results
LWVTV at the Tanana Valley State Fair
July 29 - August 6, 2022
Over ten days at the Fair, LWVTV members helped voters with information on the upcoming elections, had educational information on Ranked Choice Voting, offered applications for mail-in votng for both the Borough and the state elections, had new information for voters with disabilities, registered new voters, and changed addresses, shared Get Out the Native Vote SWAG and answered many questions. Kids Vote offered the younger set an opportunity to rank their favorite candy. We ran a straw poll using official sample ballots for the upcoming Primary and the Special General Election. (see the results at left).
Juneteenth Freedom Day
June 18, 2022
LWVTV was there with information on voting and the upcoming elections and to register voters or update voter information. Members Gayle Garrigues, Shari George, Cathy Hanks, and David Weissman enjoyed the celebration and the great weather.
Ranked Choice Voting Education
Using presentation material put together by LWVTV based on the Division of Elections information, LWVTV offered sessions for the Fairbanks Retired Teacher Association, NAACP, Kiwanis, Rotary and others.
Alyeska Pipeline supported our efforts by providing a grant to purchase a laptop, and projector, and offering travel assistance.
The League of Women Voters of Tanana Valley presents
Mush for Kids
April 2, 2022
Pioneer Park
LWVTV members Shari George, Bernardo Hernandez, Janna Miller and
David Weissman offered information and gave kids and adults a chance to try Ranked Choice Voting.
League of Women Voters of Tanana Valley presents a free public forum on air quality in the Interior:
2021
Winter 2021 Chats with the Interior Delegation
Over the course of several weeks in November and December, we held Zoom chats with most of the Interior Delegation. Beginning on November 29, we spoke with Reps. Kawasaki, LeBon, Hopkins and Prax and Sen. Myers.
Redistricting with a Focus on Interior Alaska
On October 12, 2021, we hosted a forum on redistricting in Alaska with a focus on the Interior and the FNSB. We had speakers from all four 3rd-party map creators.
There was a live presentation of all the maps at the Carlson Center on October 18, 2021.
Click for a recording of the forum hihglighting the 3rd-party redistricting maps.
Municipal Candidate Forum - Sept. 24, 2021
Candidates for the FNSB School District School Board, trhe FNSB Assembly, the City of Fairbanks City council, and the mayors for the FNSB and the City of North Pole gathered at the FNDB Assmbly Chambers.
The forum was presented byu a partnership among the LWV of Tanana Valley, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and KUAC FM 89.9.
Alaska's Suffrage Stars
Sept. 1 - 30, 2021
Noel Wien Public Library
Alaska's Suffrage Stars, a LWV-sponsored exhibit from the Alaska State Museum tells the story of the first steps toward Alaska's women's right to vote and spotlights early Alaska women's voting-rights activists. The exhibit was placed all around the library. LWVTV mounted an exhibit at the entrance to the library highlighting the history of voting rights activists and the Suffrage Movement in the United States.
Tanana Valley State Fair
July 31 - August 8, 2021
Almost 1,000 Fair-goers tried Ranked Choice Voting. We practiced Ranked Choice Voting, registered citizens to vote, updated addresses, and offered voting information. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Bernardo Hernandez, Diane Lyon, and Sue Sherif, we had a simplified and informative booth that was staffed by members for the entire Fair. Information and take-aways from the Division of Elections, Vote Local and Get Out the Native Vote offered encouragement and voting calendar reminders.
Our Ranked Choice Voting practice using fun Fair food as candidaates was a big hit. 993 votes were cast. Ice cream won the election for both adults and kids. Elephant Ears were a close second for adults while cotton candy was the kids' second choice.
Juneteenth - June 19, 2021
Celebration with the Greater Fairbanks NAACP Unit #1001
We joined other advocates in the Virtual Vendor Booths and online for an enlightening, engaging and celebratory itnerary of spirituality, history, discussion, readings, financial literacy, farm-to-table insight, healthy lifestyle ideas, poetry, ourt education system, voting and a tribute to
Ms. Esther Cunningham.
Book Group 2021 -2022
- JULY ~ Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
- SEPTEMBER ~ Climate of Hope: How Cities, Businesses and Citizens Can Save the Planet by Michael Bloomberg & Carl Pope
- OCTOBER ~ Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash by Edward Humes
- NOVEMBER ~The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates
- JANUARY ~ Conflict in Ukraine: The Unwinding of the Post-Cold War Order by Rajan Menon & Eugene Rumer
- FEBRUARY ~ The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism by
Andrew Bacevich - MARCH ~ How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them by Barbara Walter
- APRIL ~ Life on the Line: Young Doctors Come of Age in a Pandemic by
Emma Goldberg - MAY ~ Go Back Where You Came from and Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American by Wajahat Ali
- JUNE ~ Book selection for the upcoming year
- JULY ~ White Identity Politics by Ashley Jardina
LWVTV Annual Meeting
May 22, 2021
It was a very busy 2-1/2 hours! We heard reports from the president and treasurer, on membership and the Diversity Committee. We adopted a program for 2021 - 2022. We also amended our Bylaws and policies and we elected new officers and Board members. We were privileged to be joined by Leah Edwards, Treasurer of the LWVUS, who gave us an update on LWVUS activities and influence over the past year, a reminder of the lead priorities for the national organization and what to be watching over the coming year.
Public webinar sponsored by the LWV of Tanana Valley, the LWV of Juneau and the Fairbanks Branch of the American Association of University Women
2020
LWVTV Supports
NAACP Position Statement on Policing and Our Community
City of Fairbanks City Council
Nvember 23, 2020
The League of Women Voters of Tanana Valley is committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion in principle and in practice. We are committed to equal justice and social equity and support the fight against systemic racial injustice and inequality. But more than words, we need change. We come as an ally in support of the NAACP Position Statement on Policing and Our Community as a step forward that promotes constructive change while endorsing the indisputable contribution that law enforcement brings to the safety and well-being of the people and property in our community. The statement simply advocates for reasonable inclusion in the selection of police leadership, pertinent training of officers and administrators, the undeniable need to include community mental health experts on public safety teams and a transparent, citizen-led mechanism to consider police actions. The real potential for change lies with local government. The actions outlined by the NAACP Position Statement on Policing and Our Community offer sensible steps to move our community ahead and begin to rekindle public trust and support for those who serve and protect.
LWVTV and Others Hit the Streets to Encourage Voting
October 26 - 30, 2020
Organized by LWVTV member, Bernardo Hernandez, members, friends and family covered streets all over the FNSB encouraging citizens to exercise their right to vote. Lots of honks, thumbs up, and waves were enjoyed from passing vehicles. It was plenty cold out there but waving signs keeps you warmed up.
LWVTV & Get Out the Native Vote Meet Young Voters
October 22 and 29, 2020
Partnering with Black Spruce Brewing Company, LWVTV member Nicky Eiseman had precinct maps, Division of Election election pamphlets, sample ballots, and access to search for polling stations available for voters and would-be voters visiting this craft beer business. Ballots and Brews provided a convivial atmosphere for meaningful conversations on voting, why it's important and how your vote makes a difference for you and democracy. Specialty beers, "I Voted Today DDH Pale Hazy Ale" and "People Power Triple IPA" were available
League Members Worked Early Voting and Election Day Polling Places for the 2020 Municipal Election
Early Voting - Sept. 21 - Oct. 1, 2-2-
Election Day - October 6, 2020
League members assisted both with Early Voting at Shoppers forum and aat election Day polling locations.
Voter turnout was 22.4% fora the FNSB, 17.7% for the City of Fairbanks and 1`5.4% for the City of North Pole. Sad turnout for our community and our democracy.
News Desert: Why Local Journalism Matters
A free public webinar - Zoom and Facebook Live
September 22, 2020
More than 80 participants joined Dermot Cole (reporter, columnist, and author),
Virginia Farmier (Snedden Foundation) and, Melissa Harter (Director of the FNSB Public Library) for a lively and enlightening webinar on the scary place local journalism is in today, the perils and effects of mis- and disinformation and some potential ways forward. There were many questions posed to the panelists by attendees on Zoom, Facebook and the phone. LWVTV member, Janna Miller, organized and moderated this very informative session.
The webinar was hosted by the LWVTV and the Fairbanks Branch of the American Association of University Women. A recording of the webinar is here.
League Members Assisted with the Primary Election
August 18,2020
League members were onstationto assist the Division of Elections with Special Needs voting during the Primary Election.
Book Group 2020 - 2021
- August 8
Salt by Mark Kurlansky - September 12
Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson - October 10
Give Us the Ballot by Ari Berman - November 14
Fascism by Madeleine Albright - December
No Book Discussion - January 9
What Does It Means to be White and White Fragility, both written by
Robin DiAngelo - February 13
North To the Night by Alvah Simon - March 13
How the Post Office Created America by Winifred Gallagher - April 10
Fate of Food: What We'll Eat in a Bigger, Hotter, Smarter World by
Amanda Little - May 8
Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan - June 12
Book Selection for 2021-2022 - July 10
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari and The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt
Safe and Secure Voting
A free public webinar - Zoom and Facebook Live
August 7, 2020
Division of Elections Supervisor Jeremy Johnson, April Trickey (Clerk of the FNSB),
Dani Snider (Clerk of the City of Fairbanks) and Aaron Rhoades (Clerk of the City of North Pole) led this informative discussion about ways to vote, dates, new equipment and measures in-place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
League members Phyllis Darrah, Shari George, Mary Lee Guthrie, Helenmarie Matesi,
Gael Murakami and Sue Sherif were joined by AAUW president Margaret Soden, FNA Communications Director, Diana Campbell, and Get Out the Native Vote/Doyon Ltd. lead Sharon Hildebrand to keep the webinar on track. Many questions from the attendees were fielded by Jeremy and the Clerks.
League Submits Letter of Support to Adopt FNSB Resolution 2020-29
The resolution was in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and civil rights for all people, notably those individuals from historically marginalized groups. The resolution passed unanimously after amendments.
Runnning for Local Office
June 27, 2020
LWVTV members Shari George, Phyllis Tugman-Alexander and Linda Witt were on hand in the FNSB parking lot with all the Clerks from the City of Fairbanks, the City of North Pole and the FNSB. We provided information and encouragement to potential candidates for local office. LWVYV also hosted a website with how-to's for local candidates.
LWVTV Members Support Juneteenth
June 19 & 20, 2020
LWVTV members participated in NAACP Juneteenth celebration affirming Juneteenth and celebrating moving forward. LWVTV VP Helenmarie Matesi helped organize the event and served as moderator for much of the commemoration. Music, poetry, history and discussion brought the celebration to life. Juneteenth memorializes the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas. Congress recognized the day in 1997.
Spring 2020 Hot Topics
Spring 2020 Hot topics were organized - we had the speakers, the dates and the location. Then COVID-19 hit and all was off. We covered Ranked Choice Voting & the Alaska Better Elections Initiative and an Alaska Revenue Recap and the Oil Tax Initiative in other ways. Let's Talk Trash - Recycling in the FNSB was delayed.