“Our Voice, Our Legislature” workshop series continues on Monday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Newcastle Fire Station, 86 River Road. The free sessions, hosted by the Lincoln County Democratic Committee, are organized around topics and feature guest advocates as presenters along with elected officials and other local experts. They are open to the public.

On April 22, the topic will be election reform, focusing on the proposed ranked-choice voting amendment to the Maine Constitution and joining the interstate National Popular Vote compact, as well as other proposed fair election and voting rights legislation.

The session will be led by Representatives Allison Hepler, HD53, and Holly Stover, HD89, and Sarah Rawlings, advocacy and organizing director for Democracy Maine (a new collaboration of the League of Women Voters of Maine and Maine Citizens for Clean Elections). Kirk Earl, northern Maine organizer for Democracy Maine, will also be introduced as a new resource for midcoast advocates.

Rawlings describes the mission of the new combined effort, "As Democracy Maine, we work together and with other partners to make government more equitable, inclusive, and accessible by improving elections, protecting and engaging voters, and reducing the influence of private money in politics." Democracy Maine is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that does not endorse or support any political party or candidate.

Following the overview of proposed legislation, attendees will receive expert instruction on providing testimony at public hearings, contacting legislators, and sharing their voice with friends, family, and neighbors through social media or by writing letters to the editor. Participants are encouraged to bring in drafts of letters or testimony to share for review. Attendees should visit http://lincolncountydemocrats.com/voice for full details, including links to the specific proposed legislation to read before the workshop.

Environmental and conservation lawmaking will be the final topic in the series concluding on April 29. Speakers will include Representative Chloe Maxmin, HD88, of Nobleboro and Kathleen Meil, director of policy and partnerships for the Maine Conservation Alliance.

Contact info@lincolncountydemocrats.com with questions. To register for the LCDC email list, visit http://lincolncountydemocrats.com/sign-up/