It’s another Take Action Tuesday from the ICCV Legislative Committee..This week we have voter suppression issues and the ongoing War in Iran to discuss. Our main action will be expressing our concerns about the Iran conflict to Congress.

Expressing our views to our legislators is not just something for policy nerds.  It is essential at a time when the administration is so busy increasing its power and suppressing those who disagree.

Board of Elections’ Proposed Rules

The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) is still accepting public comments on the proposed rules that would disenfranchise many voters in the state. The last day for public comment is Monday, March 16,2026. If you haven’t already done so, please consider submitting your own comments.  The legislature will not be voting on this matter; if you wish to have your voice heard, you will need to use the Public Comment Portal,  https://www.ncsbe.gov/about-elections/legal-resources/rulemaking/public-comment-portal-2026-rulemaking-list-maintenance

It is necessary to submit a separate comment on the portal for each rule you would like to address. 

Alternatively, you may submit your comments via e-mail at rulemaking.sboe@nscbe.gov

Suggestions for commenting on each of the rules can be found on the ICCV website at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/698265e079332c49b5d7dc9d/t/69a4bcd266df2f0625e82d7f/1772403922563/Follow+up+TAT.pdf

Several members of the ICCV Legislative Committee attended the Public Hearing in Raleigh on Monday, March 9. It was disappointing that the board members were not there to hear the public comments, but the attorney and Chief of Staff were very accommodating. They expressed great surprise at the number of people present, as they typically only have a few people for this type of public hearing. The room was at capacity, with probably 50 people present! The public comments overwhelmingly opposed the proposed rules. After the public comment period, all comments will be reviewed by the full NC State Board of Elections, then there will be a public meeting at which the Board will discuss approving, amending, or not approving them. We will update you when we have more information.

Priority Action: War with Iran

Our country has now been engaged in military conflict with Iran for 10 days.  This is an incredibly complicated part of our world, and it should first be noted that Iran has been the world’s leading sponsor of state terrorism for decades.  Whether or not one approves of this military action, several concerns should be communicated to Congress.

WHAT TO DO

Contact your elected representatives (see HOW TO DO IT below) with the following messages:

-       National security sources agree that there was no imminent threat from Iran.  Thus, unilateral action by the administration without congressional authorization should not have occurred. 

-       The Trump administration has given no coherent rationale for this action, nor has it made a statement of goals for the conflict or proposed a plan for what comes next. The American people and our allies want to know why we initiated this war. Was it Iran’s nuclear capacity, ballistic missile capability, the possibility of their perpetrating a terror attack, a need for regime change, or something else?  Who should rule?  Will the Iranian people have agency, or not?

-       The result of a lack of goals and of ineffective planning is already clear.  One of the first bombs was on a school for girls.  Thousands of Americans are stranded in the region without the capacity or a plan to evacuate them.  Six of the seven, now eight, US fatalities occurred due to a drone strike, a retaliatory tactic we should have expected and prepared for but did not.  Hubris did not serve us well in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Vietnam. It is not serving us in Iran either.

-       Most of the country does not approve of this war.  We need and deserve a rationale and a plan from our leaders, not just policy driven by assertions, accompanied by  accusations that those who disagree are unpatriotic.  Our nation’s blood and treasure is being expended, and truthful communication is both necessary and prudent.

HOW TO DO IT

Please use  https://5calls.org/issue/stop-iran-war/ or the above bullet points to contact your elected representatives.  They need to hear from you and from more of us.  Share this information with your family and friends and respond to ICCV if you would like to become more involved in saving our country during a time of peril.

- Senator Thom Tillis: (202) 224-6342

- Senator Ted Budd: (202) 224-3154

- Representative Pat Harrigan: (202) 225-2576

- Representative Virginia Foxx: (202) 225-2071 g t

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

The Constitution confers the power to declare war exclusively to Congress. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-1/section-8/. However, this President has unilaterally attacked another sovereign country without authorization. He and his administration have offered multiple conflicting rationales for the conflict. He also does not appear to have an exit strategy, other than demanding “Unconditional Surrender.” 

As the conflict spreads throughout the region, more and more civilian deaths can be expected. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/iran-wars-targets-widen-dangerously-into-civilian-infrastructure-and-saudi-arabia-reports-first-deaths

In addition, there is a heightened risk that Iran may strike the U.S. Iran has been designated as a “state sponsor of terrorism” since 1984. Former counterterrorism experts interviewed on CBS Morning discussed the likelihood of attacks on the U. S.  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-iran-attack-us-homeland/

The situation is fluid and continuing to escalate. The 82nd Airborne has had training exercises canceled, an indication that they may be deployed. There is a lot of information out there, and some of it is unconfirmed or mere speculation. We will continue to do our best to provide you with a broad overview of the issues that face our nation.

Don’t forget our “No Kings 3” rally at the Justice Center in Newton on Saturday, March 28 at 11:30. Bring a friend (or two)!

Thank you for everything you do to protect our democracy! 

ICCV Legislative Committee                                                                                                              

“With Liberty and Justice for ALL”