Voting resources, parent researchers, an environmental lawsuit + more

A Note From Joy

Greetings,?

In a democracy, the notion that we all stand as equals before the ballot box should not be threatening.

Yet history is littered with efforts to make it harder for people to vote, and those efforts continue today.?

This election season in North Carolina, for example, we’re navigating a new voter ID law and new rules about mail-in ballots, which will make it more difficult for people’s votes to be counted.

At ZSR, we believe that voting should be made more accessible, not less, and that every person’s vote should count equally.

With Primary Election Day around the corner, we're especially grateful to our grant partners and community members who work to ensure that North Carolinians have what they need to make their voices heard in elections, from accurate information to language translation to rides to the polls.

So, in the spirit of “one person, one vote,” I hope you’ll share the non-partisan resources below with your friends and neighbors in preparation for Primary Election Day on March 5.

There already are too many barriers that prevent people from casting their vote – let’s be sure that lack of information isn’t one of them!

All For NC,??

Joy Vermillion Heinsohn

Executive Director

Voting Resources to Share with Friends and Neighbors

Wonder where to start? Check out www.ncvoter.org and this voter guide, both of which cover the basics of when, where and how to vote.?

Have trouble voting? Call the 1-888-OUR-VOTE hotline, which can assist voters in multiple languages.?

Need voter identification? This year, voters will be asked to show identification in NC, and you can go here for help.

Not sure what races are on your ballot? Check out this tool or visit the NC State Board of Elections’ voter search to see your sample ballot, among other info.

Concerned about voter safety or want to vote by mail? The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the Primary has already passed, but this voter safety and protection site provides information for the general election (Nov. 5).?

Formerly incarcerated? Check out this resource regarding your eligibility to vote.??

Get Inspired

Stories of hope and action from ZSR grantees and partners

• Through ISLA (Immersion for Spanish Language Acquisition), four dedicated parents embarked on a yearlong independent research journey to assess the needs of Latine families with children who have learning differences. They recently released their full report, which contains helpful information for anyone working with Latine families and is a testament to the power of community-driven research. ?
• For decades, residents in Sampson County have fought to protect their families from NC’s largest landfill. Now, Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN) plans to bring a lawsuit against the landfill operator, alleging that the company has contaminated people’s air and groundwater with dangerous chemicals. Southern Environmental Law Center will represent EJCAN in the lawsuit. ?
• In 2019, North Carolina set one of the most ambitious goals in the nation: for 2 million North Carolinians aged 25-44 to hold an industry valued credential or postsecondary degree by 2030. This month, myFutureNC released a report that analyzes progress made toward that goal. The report is packed with data to inform nonprofit work in K-12 and postsecondary education, college access, workforce development and more. myFutureNC also released updated “attainment profiles” that offer detailed insights into educational achievement at the local, regional and state levels. ?
• Nieman Lab, a Harvard-based news research organization, recently gave a shout-out to NC nonprofit newsroom EducationNC for doing right by their employees. In a thought piece on how to avoid burnout, Nieman Journalism Lab praises EdNC’s approach to employee wellbeing and highlights human-centered policies such as wellness stipends and paid sabbaticals every seven years. ?
• NC Conservation Network , Environmental Defense Fund and Southern Environmental Law Center voiced their support for Governor Roy Cooper’s executive order to protect NC’s forests and wetlands. Forests and wetlands are critical ecosystems that benefit all North Carolinians; they help prevent flooding, sustain wildlife, and absorb greenhouse gas emissions.?

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What's New with ZSR?

• We're thrilled to partner with the North Carolina Local News Lab Fund and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust to lead the North Carolina chapter of Press Forward , a national initiative that?aims to strengthen communities by infusing more than $500 million?into local news over the next five years.? ?
• Save the date!?On Wednesday, March 13, from 6-7:30 p.m., Wilmington's Cameron Art Museum will host a virtual discussion about about the power of art to open the door to conversation.?Panelists include ZSR Executive Director Joy Vermillion Heinsohn and artists and community leaders from ZSR's Inclusive Public Art initiative.?Learn more and register.?