Weekly Call To Action - August 1, 2021

​Take Three Actions Now:

A Great Way to Help Maintain Free and Fair Elections Locally

This is from Jeff Sowers, TCD Chair    
            
We need to make sure we have Democrats observing ballot processing and counting. In particular, we need people to observe the August 5th random audit beginning at 9 AM. The August 5th random audit is a priority. Republicans in Thurston County are mobilizing to observe ballot processing and counting, and there is concern that they will create an inaccurate narrative of our local elections process and security. 
                                            
Observing is done at the Thurston County Auditor's office. We also need a ballot observing chair to help coordinate when people go down to observe. Ideally, we only need two observers at a time. 

Until recently, most of us took the mechanics of elections for granted.  Now, we understand the importance of being there every step of the way to ensure that our elections are kept free from interference. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the basic safeguards that we depend on, such as random audits and observers. We can demonstrate that OI members can be counted on to protect our democracy!    
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Action 1: Please fill out this form if you are available to do ballot processing/counting/audit observing.                                        
Go to this link for more information or contact: 

• Tele: 360-786-5408 
• Email: Elections@co.thurston.wa.us    ​

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Send Deschutes Estuary Comments to the Department of Ecology

​Action 2: Please submit a comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) regarding plans for transforming the Deschutes Estuary/ Capitol Lake by August 13 using the DES Comment Form.

Comments should not state which plan you prefer, but rather, what considerations and issues are important to you and your vision for this important waterway. The Department of Ecology will use our comments to help them evaluate which plan will be best for our community and our environment. The final decision will be made in Summer 2022.  This is a key opportunity for concerned citizens to weigh in.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is over 600 pages long.  Links for viewing it and recorded presentations are listed at the end of this action. 

Please click to review the Background Information. 

Points and concerns to consider for comments on the Alternative Plans (keeping in mind OI’s #1 Core Value is Environmental Protection)

• Any plan should include a mandate for a Deschutes Watershed Council, in accordance with the recommendations of the Water Restoration and Enhancement Committee, comprised of representatives from local jurisdictions: Thurston County, Lewis County, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, The TCD, the Squaxin Island Tribe, and other organizations.  Water quality and quantity are affected by Thurston County’s growing population, climate change and the management of the Deschutes River and its 15 watersheds.  So, watershed protection is important for sustainable ecosystems. 
• Alignment with the Thurston County Mitigation Plan, specifically carbon reduction and the positive effects of the estuary to absorb carbon from the atmosphere (carbon sequestration), must be part of any plan as we contend with the impacts of climate change.
• Recognition and restoration to the Squaxin Tribe of traditional cultural uses and legal rights to Steh-Chass (the traditional name of the Deschutes Estuary) is imperative. 
• The salmon that would use the estuary are from all over Puget Sound. Commission more detailed studies of the use by and impacts on the survival of various species of salmon in the estuary. This is critical given that salmon and the species that depend on them, such as orca whales, are imperiled.
• Collaboration with the State Department of Transportation to mitigate toxins in runoff from I-5 and the 101 that pollute the Deschutes Estuary is important.

Dept. of Enterprise Services (DES) Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary 
DES Comment Form
DES Presentation of Draft Environmental Services Statement to the City of Olympia 
Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team 

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Last Chance to Stop the GOP Gerrymander Freight Train!

​Action 3: Tell our Senators not to go home in August until they end the filibuster and act on Voter and Election Justice! Call Right NOW!

Contact WA Senators

• Senator Patty Murray, Phone: 253-572-3636 or Contact Form 
• Senator Maria Cantwell, Phone: 253-572-2281 or Contact Form 
  • Email both your MOCs at once using Democracy.io. 

Script: My name is ________ and I am contacting you from Olympia, WA. We cannot continue to let Republicans hold democracy hostage. Senator ________ must act to eliminate the filibuster and pass the For the People Act before she leaves in August. The Democrats in the Texas legislature took a courageous and risky step to protect voting rights in their state and shine a bright light on the issues nationally.  I also support the leaders in the black community, who were critical to the elections of President Biden and the Georgia Senators, and who are now demanding Congress protect their hard-earned rights.  Tell Senator _____ to make sure their bold move isn’t wasted; our Democracy depends on her courage to act.

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From OI’s Facebook Page

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