Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Author: Michael Swayze

  • Living Near Poverty

    Most people don’t see poverty on a regular basis. It’s often out of site and out of mind. The other day a timely report was issued about families living near poverty. The numbers are astounding.

    A news story was published yesterday in the New Jersey Herald by reporter Jennifer Jean Miller. It is titled, Report: 23 percent in county struggle but not in poverty. Before reading the article think of the phrases we often use to describe unfavorable life situations, “trying to make ends meet” or “struggling to get by”. Think of those who work two or three jobs.

    For additional information visit the ALICE in New Jersey page of the United Way of Northern New Jersey. ALICE = Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. You can download the full 2018 New Jersey ALICE report.

    November 6 is Election Day. Make your voice heard. Be a voter.

  • Voter Registration Deadlines Approaching

    Elections matter. If you want to see change happen you must participate.

    Below is a set of voter information links. If you live in New Jersey you can download a
    voter registration application form to be then mailed to your County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendant of Elections.

    You can also check an Am I Registered page to determine if you are already registered. You should perform a polling place search if a new voter or recently moved to a new voting area.

    To register in New Jersey you must be:

    • A United States citizen
    • At least 17 years old and may vote when reaching the age of 18
    • A resident of the county for 30 days before the election
    • You are NOT currently serving a sentence, probation or parole because of a felony conviction

    If you live in Pennsylvania you can complete an online voter registration application. You can also check your voter registration status or find your polling place.

    To register to vote in Pennsylvania you must:

    • Be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the election
    • Be a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next election
    • Be at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next election

    Keep these deadlines in mind. New Jersey voters have until October 16 to register for the November election. The last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot is October 30 and must be returned by November 5.

    The last day to register for the General Election in Pennsylvania is October 9. The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is October 30. They must be returned by November 2.

    Be a voter.

  • Citizenship Question Threatens 2020 Census

    The Trump Administration is attempting to weaken another American tradition – the U.S. Census. A scheme has been proposed that would add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. The addition of this question will undermine the integrity of the Census Bureau. The inclusion of such a controversial question would have the effect of: 1) scaring certain members of local communities from participating in the Census, 2) threatening the flow of federal dollars to states and localities, and 3) cause an inaccurate and incomplete count of all person living in the United States.

    The Commerce Department is currently accepting public comment on their Census plans. However, written comments must be submitted on or before August 7, 2018. Everyone should be counted. Let your voice be heard.

    Take action and tell the U.S. Department of Commerce to remove the citizenship question from the 2020 Census.

    Individual email comments may be sent to PRAcomments@doc.gov under Subject: “Comments for USBC-2018-0005-0001”. To read the full request for comments visit regulations.gov portal.

    Note: The above email form is presented under the leadership of the League of Women Voters of the US. Thank you LWV.

    Comment period ends August 7.