As the November 7 municipal elections fast approach, there's a push for voter education in the Keystone State.

The Commonwealth is home to more than 1.7 million K-12 students in 500 school districts.

Amy McGahran is a volunteer with the League of Women Voters Central Bucks County. She said five seats are open for the school board race, and 10 people are running.

She said the district is facing challenges - based on policies that have been put in place by a majority of the existing school board that don't fairly represent the community and, as she said, are "discriminatory" and hurtful to the students.

"One of those policies being a library-book restriction policy," said McGahran, "which is basically a book ban, to remove books from our library that have already been selected and on the shelves by our library staff."

McGahran pointed out they also have a censorship policy that limits what can be taught in classrooms.

Therefore, she said the League - along with other advocacy groups - are hosting a webinar on censorship in schools and the actions that Pennsylvanians can take in their communities. It's Tuesday at 7 p.m.

McGahran said they want to bring common sense and compassion back to the school board. She added they are also concerned with what she calls "wasteful spending" by the Central Bucks County school district.

"Based on the book-ban policy, the school district hired a PR firm," said McGahran, "And also based on the ACLU complaint, there was a Philadelphia lawyer hired, a very expensive Philadelphia law firm that did a report for the school district that cost the taxpayers over $1.4 million."

She said the Pennsylvania American Civil Liberties Union - acting on a complaint - has taken legal action, and filed a suit with the Pennsylvania Department of Education against the Central Bucks School District for discrimination and harassment of LGBTQ students.

Elizabeth Downing chairs the educational advocacy committee for the League of Women Voters of Bucks County.

She said recent decisions by the school board have led to the removal of sex-education programs, leaving students without vital information and resources.

She emphasized the importance of civic engagement, stating - "Your vote counts."

"The super number one thing we are telling everyone is please, please, please vote," said Downing. "And even more importantly, be an informed voter - go to VOTE411.org and other information sites that will tell you where your candidate stands on these sorts of issues."

The last day to register to vote in the General Election is October 23.

October 31 is the last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot. These ballots must be received by the county board of elections by 8 p.m. on election day.

By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.
Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Collaboration

Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said he supports efforts to redistrict Indiana's U.S. House seats, and he's seen what could be redrawn maps floating around, but has not seen any official maps.

He shared his thoughts on Friday in a one-on-one interview with I-Team 8.

"People want to scream about gerrymandering. Listen, every state does it. Democrats do it. Republicans do it. I think what Republicans have kind of fallen into the trap of doing for many years in the establishment way of thinking is if we just play nice, they'll play nice, if and when they're in power. We found out that that doesn't happen. So, listen, we've got the ball. We need to run the ball down the field, and we should do everything we can to make big wins for Republican principles, constitutional concepts and I believe ... the Republican Party embodies those principles better than the other party does. So, I'm fully in support of President Trump and his offensive-minded strategy here."

Beckwith told I-Team 8 he does not know exactly what happened on Thursday in a closed-door meeting at the Statehouse with Vice President JD Vance, Gov. Mike Braun and other top state lawmakers.

However, Beckwith said, he is aware of the taxpayer cost to calling a special session.

He says it's worth it.

"I think in the long run, if we can get the outcome that we're looking for, I think it will be certainly we're going to have to spend money. Yes, they are expensive. Nobody takes that lightly. That is certainly a conversation that needs to be had, and we need to look at that. But, I do think if we can take the 1st and 7th districts back, and really make Indiana a powerhouse red state, and then also give Washington a boost with a little bit more in the majority there. I think, economically, it will pay off in the long run, and I think we'll see our investment have big returns."/p<>


Kyla Russell wrote this article for WISH-TV.


get more stories like this via email

A public funding mechanism for Seattle elections is up for renewal in next week's election.

The Democracy Voucher program was passed 10 years ago. It offers voters four $25 vouchers to use each election cycle for candidates who accept certain fundraising and spending limits. Supporters said it is a model for more inclusive democracy, touting higher turnout, increased participation from more small donors and a more diverse candidate field.

Spencer Olson, spokesperson for the group People Powered Elections Seattle, which supports Proposition 1, said the program helps level the playing field.

"It's really important that people's voices are heard and that candidates can run being supported by their constituents," Olson contended. "Versus just listening to those wealthiest donors, those special interests that have historically been the loudest voices at the table and really dominated what priorities rise to the top."

The voucher is supported by a property tax. Olson and other supporters hope to bring the model statewide. Critics said the program is not big enough to make a difference in elections and has not curbed outside spending. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Olson pointed out the vouchers have succeeded in encouraging more diverse participation in local elections.

"The intention of the program was to bring a public financing program to Seattle elections to help empower more candidates -- more diverse candidates, women, renters, people of color -- to have equal access to be able to run, and run competitive elections without having to rely on wealthy donors, special interests," Olson emphasized.

Olson noted because the money comes from a dedicated tax levy, unused vouchers roll over to the next election.

"The goal isn't to create an unlimited pot of money but to be able to provide resources for candidates to run with the community's support," Olson stressed. "But it's not a blank check at the same time."


get more stories like this via email

Texas lawmakers will return to Austin on July 21 for a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott.

The 18 items on the agenda include redrawing congressional maps. Redistricting usually occurs every 10 years, following the census, but Abbott added the item to the agenda after the Department of Justice drew attention to four Democratic seats.

Christina Sanders, founder of the nonprofit PoliChic Engagement Fund, said Texas maps are already caught up in litigation.

"Some of the court cases that are still even pending from the maps that have not been drawn fairly and the potential impact of new maps in the middle of a census cycle," Sanders explained.

The Biden administration sued Texas, alleging the state's legislative and congressional district maps discriminate against Latino and Black voters. The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from the lawsuit earlier this year.

The seats targeted by the Justice Department are held by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, and Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas. They are also focused on the vacant seat previously held by late Congressman Sylvester Turner. Following the 2023 legislative session, Abbott called four special sessions to pass a school voucher bill, which failed.

Sanders feels Abbott is using special sessions to push personal agendas.

"A special session would be for something like the flood that just occurred," Sanders argued. "It would be something that there is an emergency -- something immediate needs to happen at this moment -- because this policy for the state cannot wait."

Flood warning systems and communication are also on the agenda, along with hemp and THC legislation and changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test.