Environmental Voter Education Campaign (EVEC) is the Sierra Clubs project to hold policy makers accountable for their environmental positions and to ensure that the public is aware of the candidates’ positions as they prepare to vote. The goal is to educate the American public about the importance of environmental issues, the voting records and positions of our elected officials and candidates, and create demand for environmentally responsible leaders. The focuses in Iowa is on the race for Senate with Senator Harkin and Representative Ganske and the congressional race in Iowa fourth district with Representative Latham and John Norris. EVEC has four main elements: grassroots lobbying, voter guides, voter contact and education, and Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) activities. EVEC grassroots lobbying activities must highlight an official’s votes, policy initiatives, co-sponsorship of legislation or public statements about environmental issues. EVEC accountability is generally conducted during an election year to educate the public about particular candidates’ positions on issues. EVEC Grassroots lobbying activities are intended to: influence the vote or position of a targeted official or candidate, connect environmental issues with a candidates positions on those issues in the minds of the public, educate the public about an official’s or candidate’s environmental voting record. The Sierra Club is a local organization. Members of the Sierra Club have been working locally for many years to improve their community. EVEC is a local activity run by local volunteers – people who are part of the community. A staff person will be able talk about the voting records of elected official and urge the public to contact their representatives requesting them to take action on behalf of the environment. The environment is at risk in Iowa and we believe Iowans need to know about an official’s or a candidate’s record and upcoming votes on this issue and the voter guides educate the public about the records of the candidates on critical environmental issues that matter to our families and our future. The public cares passionately about the environment. It is our job to expose the records of the candidates so that the public is fully informed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]