67 posts found, showing 20 per page

Alerts and Updates WVCCE April 24, 2020
Wisconsin a Cautionary Tale for WV: Help Your Neigbors Vote!
As we all grapple with grief and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in West Virginia we don’t have the additional worry of choosing between our health and our right to vote. However, due to coronavirus a few things have changed about the primary. While these changes are for the best, it's important for everyone to understand how important this election is and how to make their voices heard as safely as possible. Join us for the #VoteTogetherWV phone bank to help people vote in the era of COVID-19.  More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Health, Voting Rights, WV Supreme Court

Newsletter WVCCE April 4, 2020
Reaching Out, Checking In (Plus Action for Voting, Legislative Update)
We hope you are finding meaningful ways to connect with and check-in with one another in these times of physical distancing. (While we need to be physically distanced right now, we need to build more social connection!) Oft-repeated tips on how to stay healthy in both body and spirit while trying to navigate stay-at-home orders, work layoffs, and fears for the health of our families and communities include checking up on others by phone and digital means, setting daily goals, and deepening the sense of purpose you create for your life by your actions and activities. To that end we wanted to share some easy actions you can take, and also share a bit of good news in the form of a legislative update. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Health, Judicial Independence, Transparency, Voting Rights, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer April 3, 2020
WV House Rejects New Court Sought by Powerful Special Interests
If you were one of the people who responded to calls to action from WV Citizens for Clean Elections Coalition and our partners and allies during the 2020 WV Legislative Session, thank you! You helped defeat a bad bill sought by powerful special interests. Besides the intermediate court of appeals, there were also multiple constitutional amendments proposed that would have undermined the independence of the courts. We must continue to fight these attacks and push for increased transparency in our elections and the adoption of strong recusal standards to remove political pressure and conflicts of interest from our courts. More
Issues: Dark Money, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency

WVCCE Blog WVCCE April 3, 2020
COVID-19 Response for WV’s Criminal Justice System
What can be done to reduce the unique threat the COVID-19 virus poses to those who are incarcerated? An urgent response is needed from our Governor to prevent a severe COVID-19 outbreak that would put at risk the lives of inmates, correctional officers, their families, and jeopardize our health care system’s overall capacity to respond to this pandemic. West Virginia's criminal justice reform coalition, led by our friends at AFSC, is advocating for an urgent COVID-19 plan for the state's criminal justice system. More
Issues: Criminal Justice, Fair Courts, Health

Alerts and Updates WVCCE March 3, 2020
Tell Delegates to Reject Unnecessary Court
The West Virginia Legislature cannot justify the expense of creating a new layer of judicial bureaucracy, but the House Finance Committee voted to send SB 275, which would create an intermediate court of appeals, to the full House even though they couldn't pin down the exact cost. Tell the WV House committee members to reject SB 275 and invest the money that would be wasted on an unnecessary intermediate court on things West Virginia needs. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, WV Supreme Court

Alerts and Updates WVCCE March 2, 2020
Don’t Let Powerful Special Interests Have Their Way with Our Courts
The millions that would be wasted on this unnecessary court could be better spent on things that help our families and communities thrive—fixing our roads, improving our schools and providing job training for West Virginia workers. However, in addition to the state’s spending priorities, West Virginians should also be concerned about the millions that special interest groups will undoubtedly spend to pack this new court. Special interest groups spending big bucks on judicial elections see the Supreme Court as an effective vehicle to further their political, ideological, or financial agendas. Why would this new court be any different? Tell the House Finance Committee to say NO to SB 275. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency

Alerts and Updates WVCCE February 25, 2020
Tell Delegates to Fund Critical Needs, Say NO to Unnecessary Court
Why are powerful, out-of-state special interests demanding that West Virginia give them an intermediate court that the Mountain State doesn’t need? To delay justice for West Virginians like you and for our small businesses, property owners, consumers and workers. Tell legislators that the money that would be wasted on an unnecessary intermediate court is better spent on things West Virginia needs — road repairs, better schools, job training for workers, broadband access, senior and veterans services, food programs and pantries so no West Virginian is hungry, and more. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Dark Money, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence

Newsletter WVCCE January 31, 2020
Our Voice, Our Votes, Our Courts: Join Us for Good Government Lobby Day
Please join us for our first ever lobby day in support of our Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform on February 17. More details and registration information here. Several bills that advance the goals of the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform have been introduced and the list keeps growing. Read this post for a look at some of these bills, what we have to gain if some reforms are passed, and what’s at stake if others advance. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer January 29, 2020
Our Voice, Our Votes, Our Courts: What We Could Gain and What’s At Stake
Several bills that advance the goals of the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform have been introduced and the list keeps growing. In addition to bills that are part of the platform we are also monitoring other legislative proposals related to our courts. Here’s a glimpse at some of these bills, what we have to gain if some reforms are passed, and what’s at stake if others advance. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog WVCCE January 23, 2020
Join Us for Good Government Lobby Day – Monday, February 17
Join us for our first ever lobby day in support of our Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform. We will be participating in the Centennial Celebration of the WV Ratification of the 19th Amendment at the State Capitol. It’s also President’s Day. If you have the day off, come lobby your legislators about common sense policy solutions that can move us toward a government that's more transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of ALL West Virginians. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

Alerts and Updates Vivian Stockman January 14, 2020
This Session, Join Us in the Fight for a Democracy that Works for Everyone
The 2020 West Virginia Legislative Session has begun, and we’re ready to fight for a democracy that works for everyone — a democracy where everyone participates, every vote is counted, and everyone's voice is heard. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Dark Money, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Pro Democracy

Alerts and Updates WVCCE January 4, 2020
Happy New Year, YOU Did It!
Happy New Year, YOU did it! Thanks to contributions from folks like you, we raised the $5,000 needed to meet our #WVProDemocracy match. Actually, we more than made it. We raised $7,380! We hope we can continue to count on you — every session people like you help advance our Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform by calling legislators, writing letters to the editor, and talking with friends and neighbors. Stay tuned for updates and calls to action starting next week. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts

Alerts and Updates WVCCE December 2, 2019
You don’t have to wait for #GivingTuesday to give democracy a boost
The season of giving is here and you can help give democracy a boost by making a tax-deductible donation toward the WV Pro-Democracy Match today.  Every dollar you give will be matched up to $5,000. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts, Voting Rights, WV Supreme Court

Alerts and Updates WVCCE October 30, 2019
Tired of Being Ghosted by Politics as Usual? Support the #WVProDemocracy Campaign
Tired of being ghosted by politics as usual? Want to exorcise big money from our elections? It's spooky when politicians rely on campaign contributions from big money ghouls! WV Citizens for Clean Elections is working to restore health to our democracy, to clean up elections and assure that our courts are fair and impartial. But it takes money to fight big money. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts, WV Supreme Court

Alerts and Updates WVCCE October 15, 2019
Support the WV Pro-Democracy Movement by Making a Gift Today
WV Citizens for Clean Elections is working to restore health to our democracy, to clean up elections, and assure that our courts are fair and impartial. Right now WV Citizens for Clean Elections has an opportunity to receive an additional $5,000 for our work if we can raise $5,000 from our friends and supporters by the end of the year. Will you pitch in? Join us in the fight for a democracy that works for everyone—a democracy where everyone participates, every vote is counted, and everyone's voice is heard—by making a donation today. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Transparency, Voting Rights, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Vivian Stockman September 20, 2019
Ask WV Legislators to Join You in Supporting the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform
The 2018 WV teachers' strike is a recent example of how people power works. We, the people, know how to make WV a better place to live. But we need to fix a broken system. Here's a solution. Help West Virginia Citizens for Clean Elections advance the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform during the 2019 West Virginia Legislative Session. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog WVCCE August 20, 2019
Judicial Public Financing is a Racial Justice Issue
We know that protecting and improving public financing won't transform our courts overnight. In order for our courts to be more fair and just, there has to be a concerted effort, starting even before law school, to recruit a diverse pool of talented law students who could eventually become judges. We also know that you shouldn't have to be wealthy, white, and male to run for state supreme court,  and that West Virginians who end up before our judges should be able to trust that there are a range of life experiences represented.  More
Issues: Fair Courts, Public financing, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Vivian Stockman August 13, 2019
Delegate Danielle Walker Speaks on Voting Rights
"We must use our voice. We must join forces. We must take a stand." That’s why we urge everyone to demand that Congress pass HR4, and to do all they can to safeguard their right to vote and democracy itself. More
Issues: Dark Money, Democracy, Fair Courts, Secret Money, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog Vivian Stockman August 12, 2019
Rick Martin of NAACP Charleston WV on Voting Rights and the Courts
"The American people are entitled to judges who will decide cases on the facts and the law, not deeply rooted ideology or rank partisanship. Our rights to fully participate in every facet of political, social, and economic life, on an equal basis, lie in the balance." More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog Vivian Stockman August 12, 2019
Stand Up For Voting Rights: Restore the Voting Rights Act
At noon on Tuesday, August 6, dozens of people gathered outside the federal courthouse in downtown Charleston, WV to mark the 54th anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act and join with advocates nationwide in demanding that Congress stop the rise in voter suppression and move to restore the rights the Act was supposed to guarantee by passing HR-4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Voting Rights, WV Supreme Court