-
MWEG UT Official Statement on 2021 Redistricting
Yesterday the Utah House and Senate discarded the fair and transparent Independent Redistricting Commission maps and instead passed the redistricting maps created by the Legislative Redistricting Committee. We are concerned that what we have just witnessed, especially with regards to the congressional map, is a clear attempt by legislators to exercise undue influence over voters, doing so in a way that does not engender trust in processes or follow standards of transparency. We recognize that these maps have passed with a veto proof majority, but the governor has not only refused to speak in defense of the people of Utah, he has justified his disengagement by claiming he is doing…
-
Mormon Women for Ethical Government Statement on Arizona Cyber Ninjas Election Review
Free and fair elections are the bedrock of our democracy. Last November, notwithstanding a global pandemic, millions of Arizonans exercised their right to vote, and these votes were counted and certified using tested and true processes. As had always been the case, counties certified their respective results, and the entire election was then certified by Secretary of State Hobbs and witnessed and signed off by Governor Ducey, Attorney General Brnovich, and then-Chief Justice Brutinel in accordance with state law. The governor asserted his faith in Arizona’s elections system and encouraged those with concerns about either election processes or results to follow the state’s robust procedures for election review. None of…
-
MWEG’s March on Utah
Thousands rallied today in Washington, DC, and around the country to march for voting rights, and MWEG Utah leaders Melarie Wheat and Elizabeth Vanderwerken spoke at the Utah event. They explained what is at stake, why our voices matter in this fight, and how we can protect this most basic democratic right. Read the full text of their speech below, or watch the video here. Civil rights activist and Black voting rights champion Amelia Boynton Robinson was a key figure in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. On “Bloody Sunday” she was beaten by police on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and photos of her lying bleeding and unconscious drew national…
-
Utah State Board of Education Public Hearing on Educational Equity in Schools (R277-328)
The Utah State Board of Education hosted a public hearing on July 22, 2021, to allow for commentary on R277-328 — an administrative rule that dictates what Utah schools can and cannot teach about diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Utah chapter of Mormon Women for Ethical Government shared their position at the meeting with the following text and presentation. When sharing any of the below information, please share it in its entirety to maintain the integrity and context of the message. As parents and members of Mormon Women for Ethical Government, also known as MWEG, we wish to express our appreciation for and concerns regarding R277-328. We take seriously the…
-
An Open Letter to Idaho Legislators on Early Childhood Education Funding from the Idaho Chapter of MWEG
Dear Idaho legislators, On behalf of the Idaho chapter of Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG), we call on you to vote yes on SB 1193 in support of early childhood education funding for the state of Idaho. These previously approved funds will cost the citizens of Idaho nothing to accept — but will pay significant dividends for them in the years to come. Our children, who make up 20% of our population and all of our future, need access to early childhood education to prepare for their K-12 education. Idaho is one of only four states that does not fund education for children under 5. Local school boards and…
-
An Open Letter to Montana Senators on Federal Refugee Funding from the Montana Chapter of MWEG
Dear Senators, On behalf of the Montana Chapter of Mormon Women for Ethical Government, we strongly encourage you to reinstate the federal pass-through funding for the refugee resettlement program in HB2. Federal pass-through funding for the refugee resettlement program is beneficial to the state. This funding does not incur costs for the state of Montana. It contributes to healthy communities through job creation and funding in the areas of health and human services, education, and housing. When refugee communities benefit, the state benefits as well. Montana has a history of welcoming displaced people since the ’70s, when the state welcomed Hmong families who had helped the United States during the…
