The Soultown! Volume III: Issue 7 JULY 2019 | Page 13

SYMBOL OF PEACE
the district located in a significantly different area.
The stark differences in test scores, the percent-
age of English-language learners and low-income
students attending each school was surprising
to students. For many, it was the first time they
saw numbers so low associated with low-income.
Many didn’t realize how low-performing Taft is
in comparison to its neighboring school in the
wealthy area of Redwood City. For those who un-
derstood, it was still shocking to see the significant
drop in test scores between 3rd and 5th grade. An
accumulation of academic challenges as a result
of a lack of foundational skills in math and reading
was quickly concluded. After reviewing the data,
I asked them what kind of futures these students
had in Algebra 1 or freshman English. It was at
this moment I saw the dots connect and light bulbs
become brighter.
I left students with this: it is not my goal that you
leave this class becoming more engaged through
community service or civic engagement. It is my
Foothill students pose for group photo.
goal that you leave this class informed about how
decisions get made about you and those around
you that are not engaged. You need to be in-
formed and need to understand the impact your
engagement or lack of engagement has on you
and your community.
I am Esme Ortiz, the Symbol of Peace for
The Soultown International Magazine. I’d
like to thank my Foothill students for having
SOUL! ,
VOTING CHANGES • WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Iowa Legislature passed a new voter identifica-
tion bill in the spring 2017 session. Hereʼs what it
means for all voters, according to the Black Hawk
County Auditor's office.
Be Prepared:
1. Register to vote in the precinct where you live at
least 10 days before the election.
2. Always take your driverʼs license/non-operatorʼs
license with you to vote.
Voter Law Changes
• Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, registered voters must
show a driverʼs license or non-operatorʼs ID before
voting.
If you do not have your ID, in 2018 only, you will be
asked to sign an oath that you are who you say you
are. You can then cast a regular ballot. In 2019 and
on, a registered voter can verify/attest for two
people.
• If you do not have one of those IDs, you will
automatically be issued a free Voter ID card. The
state started mailing Voter ID cards in December
2017.
• If you did not receive the Voter ID card or lost it,
the BH County Auditorʼs Office can re-issue one. Call
833-3007.
Absentee Voting
An absentee ballot may be requested 120 days
before the election. Absentee ballots will be mailed
starting 29 days before an election (used to be 40
days).
Absentee ballots must be received 10 days before a
general election and 11 days before other elections.
Absentee ballot voters must include their Iowa
driver's license/non-operatorʼs ID number or their
Iowa voter ID card's PIN number on the absentee
ballot request form.
Registering to Vote
If you are already registered, you do not have to do
anything unless you move within the county or
outside of the county.
Online:
-
https://mymvd.iowadot.gov/Account/Login?
ReturnUrl=%2fVoterRegistrationRegister
By mail: Print the form, fill it out completely in
pen, and mail it to: Black Hawk County Auditor
Election Department, 316 E 5th St., Waterloo, IA
50703
Register In-person: Black Hawk County
Courthouse, 316 E 5th St., Waterloo, IA
Cedar Falls City Hall, 220 Clay St., Cedar Falls, IA
Other locations listed at: http://www.co.black-
hawk.ia.us/208/Registration-Locations
No straight party voting is available in Iowa now. Be
sure to vote for all of the offices/ballot issues listed
on the front and/or back of the ballot.
Special Groups:
High School Students - If you are 17, but will be 18
years old by the general election, you can register to
vote.
College Students - If you are going to school in Cedar
Falls or Waterloo, you can vote there. You must have
an ID that has an expiration date on it. A
college/university ID cannot be used.
Returning Citizens - Those convicted of a felony can
request restoring their voting rights after their
sentence is discharged. Complete the form on the
Iowa Governor's web sit under Services/Executive
Clemency (https://governor.iowa.gov/constituent-
services). Frequently asked questions about
restoring voting rights are on that same page.
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE NAACP?
Monthly Meetings:
2nd Thursdays
515 Beech St.
Waterloo, Iowa 50703
•
President -
LaTanya Graves
Blackhawk County
Branch
waterloonaacp.org
Email: waterloonaacp
@gmail.com
Facebook:
facebook.com/
waterloonaacp
P.O. Box 304
Waterloo, Iowa 50704
July 2019 • The Soultown International Magazine • Celebrating 2 years • Connecting Our Cultures to Our Cyber & Conscious Communities • thesoultown.com
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