Voter Registration
Two lawsuits challenging how North Carolina legislators recently tightened same-day voter registration can continue, even though state election officials have recently made adjustments to address a judge’s constitutional concerns. U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder refused on Tuesday to dismiss the suits filed by several voter advocacy groups and a voter, rejecting motions from defendants who include Republican legislative leaders and the State Board of Elections.
The lawsuits target a 2023 law that changes when election officials can disqualify a vote cast by someone who registered the same day during the 17-day early voting period. With over 100,000 new registrants having sought same-day registration in North Carolina during each of the last two presidential general elections, adjustments in the same-day rules could affect close statewide elections this fall.
A provision of the new law stated that same-day applicants would be removed from voter rolls if election officials sent them a single piece of mail that came back as undeliverable. The previous law required two pieces of undeliverable mail. The groups who sued said the new procedure would increase risks that voters would be disenfranchised by paperwork errors or mail mishaps.
Early this year, Schroeder ruled that the provision was likely unconstitutional on due process grounds. In a Jan. 21 injunction, he said the change couldn’t take effect without administrative protections that would allow an applicant to challenge their vote from being disqualified. In response a week later, the state board sent county election offices an updated memorandum that amended same-day registration rules so as to create a formal way to appeal being removed from the voter rolls after one undeliverable mailer. The state board’s rule alterations were used in the March 5 primary.
Attorneys for the Republican lawmakers cited the memo last month in a brief asking for one of the lawsuits to be dismissed, saying “there is no longer a live case or controversy that the Court can redress.” But Schroeder noted that under state law, rules the State Board of Elections rewrites in response to a court decision are temporary. In this case, the changes expire in early 2025. Schroeder acknowledged that it’s likely the General Assembly will pass a law to make the state board’s rules permanent. But for now, the rules remain temporary, he wrote, and legislators haven’t shown that the “interim rule moots the complaint.”
In separate orders denying dismissals of the lawsuits, the judge, who was nominated to the bench by President George W. Bush, also wrote that the plaintiffs had legal standing to sue or that their allegations surpassed a low plausibility threshold.
At least three lawsuits have been filed challenging portions of the wide-ranging voting law that the General Assembly enacted last October over Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto.
The third lawsuit, filed by the national and state Democratic parties, challenges a handful of other provisions and was part of the January preliminary injunction. Dismissal motions in this case are pending.
Schroeder addressed the other two lawsuits on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the judge also set a June 3 trial date for one of these lawsuits, filed by Democracy North Carolina, the North Carolina Black Alliance and the League of Women Voters of North Carolina. [Source]
April is Autism Acceptance Month
The theme for this year’s Autism Acceptance Month is “Celebrate Differences,” with the goal of raising awareness about autism and fostering inclusivity and connectedness. Autism Acceptance Month is a time to commit to honoring the unique perspectives of people living with autism and support early intervention initiatives so that each child with autism can reach their full potential. Hashtags: #CelebrateDifferences #AutismAcceptanceMonth #AutismAwarenessMonth
Visit the CDC’s website for valuable tools on early evaluation, community support, and spreading awareness. You’ll find information for parents, educators, practitioners, and the community at large.
Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities:
Yesterday at the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid, NC DHHS Deputy Secretary Jay Ludlam announced that Medicaid Expansion had more than 416,000 enrollees, but DHHS has seen the number of daily applications decreasing which is to be anticipated. Additionally, DHHS expects to have more applications around community outreach events, media campaigns, back to school activities, and fall open enrollment.
Get Covered Winston-Salem
Friday, April 12th | 10 am -1 pm
Goodwill Industries Headquarters - Self Reliance Hall
More information: bit.ly/3UOSICi
Get Covered Sandhills
Tuesday, April 16th | 11 am-2 pm
Fayetteville Tech Community College, Tony Rand Student Center
More information: bit.ly/medexftcc
Join us for Advocacy Day 2024!
One of NAMI NC’s primary missions is advocacy - speaking out about mental health issues in front of legislators, policymakers, and influential decision makers so that real change happens. A primary goal of our advocacy efforts is to provide people living with mental illness, their families, and those passionate about mental health the information they need to become effective advocates for better mental health services and public policies.
Our Advocacy Day events for 2024 are designed to do just that - provide information and helpful tips on speaking to legislators about mental health in NC. We will prepare participants with three informative webinars before visiting the General Assembly in Raleigh at the culminating event on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
April 30, 10:00am - 2:00pm - Advocacy Day 2024
This event, held at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, allows mental health advocates to hear from government officials and legislators, tell their stories about mental illness, and let their voices be heard.
Questions about Advocacy Day? Please contact Lillian M. Davis, Director of Public Policy, at ldavis@naminc.org or by calling (919) 235-4749.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR NAMI'S ADVOCACY DAY EVENTS
Join us on April 30th in Raleigh! Second Chance Lobby Day is a time for all who believe in second chances to come together to speak to our NC lawmakers about the criminal justice + reentry issues impacting our communities. #IAMFORSECONDCHANCES
Moms Demand Action Event
First Presbyterian Church (meeting place)
112 S Salisbury St
Raleigh, NC 27601
When: Thursday, April 25, 9:00 AM
The most important day for Moms visibility and mission in NC is our Advocacy Day. Make a plan to join us on April 25 in Raleigh, where we will urge our lawmakers to support common sense gun safety laws we can LIVE with. As constituents, that is our right, and as Moms Demand Action, that is our goal. Join your Moms from all over the state on this exciting, empowering day.
NC Black Alliance
NC Black Summit : April 25-26, 2024
Raleigh, NC
Mark your calendars for the 18th Annual NC Black Summit in Raleigh on April 25-26, 2024. Hosted by the North Carolina Black Alliance, this year’s theme, “Igniting Progress, Demanding Equity,” perfectly aligns as we approach the pivotal 2024 election—one of the most critical in our lifetime, with implications extending far beyond this year.
With over 20 positions on the ballot, both in NC and nationally, the 2024 Summit offers a unique opportunity for Black elected officials, public policy advocates, community stakeholders, strategic partners, and advocates from across the state to strategize on mobilizing voters to the polls and safeguarding OUR voting rights. We will explore solutions to issues affecting OUR community and collaboratively work towards building a more just and equitable North Carolina.
Find More Information & How to Register CLICK HERE!
NC Budget & Tax Center
Our Dollars, Our Future 2024
Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM ET
Join the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center on May 2 in Raleigh for a day of advocacy to take the budget back to the people. We will be requesting meetings with legislative leadership to demand a more transparent and equitable budget process, and joining together to discuss how we can organize to ensure future budgets fund the services and programs our state needs so every North Carolinian — from Boone to Wilmington and all parts between — has what they need to thrive.
The 2024 Short Session begins on April 24, 2024. NASW-NC’s main legislative priority will be to get Senate Bill 718 -Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact passed during the 2024 short session. The Social Work Compact creation was initiated by the Department of Defense to promote licensure portability for military spouses. Many Republican lawmakers, who have the supermajority in both the NC House and Senate, support military populations. The bill’s primary sponsor is Senator Joyce Krawiec, who has announced her plans to retire at the end of the 2024 session. The compact does have bi-partisan support in the NC Senate and was referred to the committee on Rules and Operations on April 10, 2023. It was not subjected to crossover as it was not tied to appropriations. The Social Work Compact will go into effect when at least seven different states pass it. You can see more about the states that have introduced the compact here. NASW-NC has already been speaking with lawmakers about supporting and passing SB 718 when the short session begins. Be sure to watch for updates in upcoming Advocacy Alerts.
Thank you to the members of NASW-NC for supporting the advocacy work we do. We would not be able to advocate for the social work profession or social justice issues in North Carolina without a robust and engaged NASW membership. If you are a social worker and not a member, we ask that you join NASW today. Our voice is louder with your membership.
Learn more about NASW-NC membership here.
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