Voting

SOLIDARITY LOWEL ANNOUNCES STATE REP ENDORSEMENTS (Reposted)

The Primary will be held this upcoming TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th! Remember to vote!

Solidarity Lowell announces endorsements in four State Representative races, by vote of their members.

All four endorsees have shown they embody the values that Solidarity Lowell fights for and will work to improve our cities and state for all. We are proud that all our endorsees reflect the diversity of our state and the progressive value of equity. Focused on their constituents, they want to give back to the community and ensure they communicate with and serve the people of their district transparently.

Zoe Dzineku for State Representative in the 16th Middlesex District: Zoe has a strong work ethic and is dedicated to improving the lives of all in her district. Zoe understands the varied needs of the district. She raised two girls as a single mother, moved through the ranks in the corporate world, built her own business, and transitioned to Constituent Services Director for Senator Edward Kennedy. As Chair of Lowell’s Election Commission, Zoe successfully fought plans to reduce the number of polling places. One of her main focuses is mental health awareness and support, which she believes affects all parts of our society.

https://govotezoe.com/

 

Vanna Howard for State Representative in the 17th Middlesex District: In just her first term, Representative Howard has impressed us with her sponsorship of important legislation for our community, and with her tireless constituent advocacy.  She has co-sponsored more than a dozen Progressive Massachusetts priority bills. Representative Howard is a strong advocate on Beacon Hill for educating our kids, preserving and protecting women’s rights, addressing the needs of our refugee and immigrant communities, expanding the reach of healthcare and housing to all, childcare availability and affordability, social and economic justice, and protecting and preserving our environment and climate.  She regularly meets with her constituents in her Lowell office and is a constant presence in community activities, including the Lowell Litter Krewe and Downtown Adopt a Street.  Solidarity Lowell looks forward to working with Representative Howard to get even more done in her next term.

https://vannahoward.com/

 

Tara Hong for State Representative in the 18th Middlesex District: Tara earned a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice from UMass Lowell. He served as Civic Engagement Coordinator for the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and currently serves as a board member for both Lowell Litter Krewe and Mill City Grows. Tara’s platform includes a focus on adequate funding for schools, constituent services, affordable healthcare and housing, support for local business, and addressing climate change. Tara is a strong advocate for transparency in legislative work and will actively seek constituents’ opinions to help inform his decision making.

https://www.tarahong.com/

 

Teresa English for State Representative in the 22nd Middlesex District: Teresa’s experience as  a veteran and a teacher have led her to develop leadership skills and become a force for change. She is passionate that each child receive the education that is best for that specific child. Teresa is also interested in protecting the environment and working for affordable healthcare and housing. Her platform specifically includes attention to the needs of seniors and veterans. Teresa was endorsed by Solidarity Lowell in 2020, when she earned an impressive 45% of the general election vote through a write-in campaign.

https://www.voteteresaenglish.org/

 

Solidarity Lowell is a volunteer group of community members of Greater Lowell working toward social justice by defending the human rights, dignity, and equality of all persons against all forms of hate and discrimination.

Visit the Solidarity Lowell website at solidaritylowell.com

For more events not listed here, visit the full Events calendar: https://solidaritylowell.com/events/

June meeting notes:
https://tinyurl.com/2p9ke9h4

June meeting recording:
https://youtu.be/BKXwSQB0UFo

See recordings of past Solidarity Lowell meetings in our YouTube channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCohwMIkVdabQdDHsVTLIGsQ

For positive news visit Solidarity Lowell Upbeat on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/326202548419687

Solidarity Lowell is a chapter of Progressive Massachusetts. Join at: https://www.progressivemass.com/donate/

 

Posted by Caroline Snow in Things of Note, Voting

Got Questions on the Lowell Voter Lawsuit?

You may have heard something about the lawsuit being filed against the City of Lowell’s all at-large local voting system for City Council and School Committee. You might be wondering, why a lawsuit? And how is an all citywide at-large local government discriminatory? You can download this PDF, which answers a lot of these questions.

As a long time observer of city politics, I know that running an at-large campaign citywide is daunting, very difficult, and expensive. It’s prohibitive for many, especially people who come from different backgrounds such as immigrant communities. The outcome of many decades of an at-large system speak for themselves; with few exceptions, the city is largely represented by white, mostly male electeds residing in very specific areas of the city.

Download the PDF below to get more answers!

10 Things to Know about At-Large Voting in Lowell and the Voting Rights Lawsuit

For more info you can read the Ropes & Gray announcement on their website, as well as the text of the lawsuit (translations in Spanish and Khmer).

–Lynne

Posted by Lynne in Local Justice, Things of Note, Voting