Thank you, NC Family, for this great reminder. Once the United States of America officially became an independent country, the Founding Fathers knew that religious liberty needed to be a core part of our founding documents. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1777, which influenced James Madison when he wrote the First Amendment, including significant measures to protect religious liberties, which was adopted in 1791. In the two centuries since, our country has had many discussions to further clarify what religious liberty means and set parameters for when religious liberty does and does not apply. “Separation of Church and State” While religious freedom has historically meant protecting the practice of religious beliefs from outside influence, today it is often portrayed as though it was intended to protect people from religion. For example, one of the most common phrases associated with religious freedom is the “separation of church and state,” often used in the context of trying to keep religion out of public life. What is interesting, though, is that this phrase is not found in the U.S. Constitution. It is, however, found in other constitutions, such as the one for the Soviet Union. The phrase originated in a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote, known as the Danbury Letter. The letter was written to a group of Baptists, a religious minority who faced intense persecution at the time. The phrase was included in Jefferson’s letter to reassure the Danbury Baptists that the government would not try to interfere with or punish them for their religion. Not only is this phrase not in America’s founding documents, but it was actually stated in the context of keeping the state out of the church, and not the opposite. The idea was that the government was not to establish a national religion, and it was also not to keep individuals from exercising or expressing their personal beliefs or convictions. Protecting Religious Freedom Today Over the last decade, religious freedom has become a more and more contentious topic. Just in the last two years, there were three major court cases addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) that dealt with religious liberty. Coach Joseph Kennedy won his seven-year legal battle that resulted from his commitment to say a private prayer at the end of every high school football game he coached. Website designer Lorie Smith also had to defend her right not to be forced to design a website for the wedding of a same-sex couple. We are so thankful that SCOTUS ruled in favor of protecting religious liberty in both of these cases, but there are still many cases that are not so favorably resolved. For example, Jack Phillips is a Colorado cake artist who has dealt with legal problems since 2012 for refusing to design cakes celebrating issues that he doesn’t agree with. In his first case, which related to his refusal to create a custom cake for a same-sex ceremony (offering to sell them suitable cakes that were already made), SCOTUS ruled in his favor after a six-year battle. A new case was brought against him one month later when he declined to create a cake celebrating a sex change (again after his offering to sell a similar cake that was already made). It was announced in November 2023 that the Colorado Supreme Court will hear his case, and we pray it will uphold his religious liberty. On this Religious Freedom Day, we encourage you to think about the blessing of religious freedom. It can be easy to take for granted, but it truly is a key part of America’s history. In the midst of our culture trying to secularize everything, it is critical that we continue to fight for the protection of religious liberty.

by Jim Johnson, December 14, 2023 Yesterday, December 14th, GOP/RINO Congressman for the 11th District, Chuck Edwards sold out the American people again by voting for a woke and weaponized National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). As has been his pattern with other key votes, Rep. Edwards joined with other weak willed and spinless Establishment Republicans and Democrats to pass this bill.  BTY, more Democrats voted for this bill than Republicans. NDAA provides for transgender surgeries, drag queen shows on military bases and ships, continues Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies and indoctrination, continues Biden's Green Energy push within the military, and continues race-based admissions at military academies. Edwards' vote also continues taxpayer abortion travel funding for service members who are stationed in states that restrict abortions.  Heritage Action, a subsidiary of the Heritage Foundation, called for a No Vote on NDAA and will record it as a Key Vote on their legislative scorecard. NDAAs passage will continue to degrade the military's war fighting capability and will exacerbate its recruiting shortfalls. Lastly, Edwards' vote to reauthorize FISA leaves the door wide open for continued weaponization by the Department of Justice to illegally spy on American citizens (300,000 times) and thereby violate their 4th Amendment rights granted by the U.S. Constitution. Chuck Edwards would have us believe that he is a MAGA conservative when in reality he has shown himself to be a loyal member of the Washington Uniparty Establishment Swamp. jim

Review of Log of Filings (Temporary Rules) for any rule filed within 15 business days prior to the RRC Meeting State Board of Elections - 08 NCAC 20 .0101, .0102, .0103 Original Submission of Rules for RRC review This section also includes details on how to speak at the hearing. The three rules involve 1. (Rule 101) Challenging the appointment of an Observer. 2. (Rule 102) Removal of an observer from a voting site with no remedy for the person who was removed. 3. (Rule 103) Establishes the name tag rule. - Any complaints about these rules MUST address any of the following criteria: (1) In violation of constitutional provisions; (2) In excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the agency or administrative law judge; (3) Made upon unlawful procedure; (4) Affected by other error of law; (5) Unsupported by substantial evidence admissible under G.S. 150B-29(a), 150B-30, or 150 B-31 in view of the entire record as submitted; or (6) Arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion. They're linked here: https://ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_150B/GS_150B-51.pdf

Magistrate judge recommends ruling against felon voting advocates in federal suithttps://www.carolinajournal.com/magistrate-judge-recommends-ruling-against-felon-voting-advocates-in-federal-suit/ "Felons cannot vote in North Carolina until they have completed their sentences, including any probation, parole, or post-release supervision. Plaintiffs argued that the restriction on felon voting was racially discriminatory. Webster noted the impact of Senate Bill 747, which changed the felon voting law last year. Now a voting felon can be charged with a crime only if he knew his voting rights had not been restored. In legal terms, SB 747 added a “scienter requirement.” “Senate Bill’s 747’s addition of a scienter requirement sets the violative bar much higher, which substantially diminishes any prospective voter’s perceived threat of prosecution and any resulting confusion,” Webster wrote. “Under Senate Bill 747, a voter can only violate the felony disenfranchisement statute if he or she already knows they are ineligible to vote, intentionally disregards the law, and casts a ballot.” Read more here. Magistrate judge recommends ruling against felon voting advocates in federal suithttps://www.carolinajournal.com/magistrate-judge-recommends-ruling-against-felon-voting-advocates-in-federal-suit/

" A federal court in the Northern District of Georgia today affirmed that citizens have the right to lawfully petition their government in support of election integrity without fear of persecution or prosecution." A right fought for and guaranteed in the First Amendment of our Constitution. And this is why the Left will continue to lose. They are Marxists hell bent to oppress free speech, the very reason we fought a Revolutionary War. Citizens like you make a difference. Join your local election integrity task forces to make it easy to vote but hard to cheat. https://www.nceit.org/ Fair Fight et al v. True the Vote et al | Case No. 2:20-cv-0302-SCJ HOUSTON, TX, January 2, 2024 - True the Vote (TTV) declares a decisive triumph in their legal battle against Stacy Abrams' Fair Fight, legal teams led by Marc Elias, and the Biden Department of Justice. A federal court in the Northern District of Georgia today affirmed that citizens have the right to lawfully petition their government in support of election integrity without fear of persecution or prosecution. In a resounding vindication, TTV successfully defended its actions of December 2020, aiding Georgia citizens in filing elector challenges based on data showing over 364,000 voters appeared to be ineligible to vote due to change in residency. This victory is a testament to every American's constitutional right to free speech and the importance of actively participating in the electoral process. True the Vote President Catherine Engelbrecht affirmed, "Today's ruling sends a clear message to those who would attempt to control the course of our nation through lawfare and intimidation. American citizens will not be silenced.” True the Vote lead attorney Jake Evans stated, “After almost three years of litigation and a two-week federal trial with plaintiff calling 12 witnesses, Judge Steven Jones awarded a complete defense verdict for all defendants. This decision is monumental. It vindicates True the Vote in totality and establishes that eligibility challenges under Section 230 are a proper method to ensure voter rolls are accurate. I am grateful to help achieve this great victory.” Engelbrecht added, "This is an answer to the prayers of faithful patriots across America." True the Vote remains steadfast in its mission to support trustworthy elections and looks forward to assisting citizens in future such lawful efforts. ### True the Vote (TTV) is an IRS-designated 501(c)3 non-profit voters' rights organization founded to inspire and equip volunteers for involvement at every stage of our electoral process. TTV empowers organizations and individuals across the nation to actively protect the rights of eligible voters, regardless of their political party affiliation. For more information, visit truethevote.org. Keep Reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Patrick Gannon, Public Information Director Email State Board to Launch Another Approval Process for Voter Photo IDs Raleigh, N.C. — The State Board of Elections will soon open another application period for eligible educational institutions and government agencies to apply to have their student and employee photo IDs approved for voting purposes in the 2024 elections. The State Board will accept new applications from November 13, 2023, through December 15, 2023. In July 2023, the State Board approved 100 student and employee ID cards. Those IDs are approved through the end of 2024. These institutions do not need to reapply. Voter Photo ID Background With the start of the municipal elections this year, registered voters in North Carolina now will be asked to present photo identification to vote. For more information on the photo ID requirement, including the current list of acceptable IDs, see Voter ID. Student identification cards issued by North Carolina public or private universities and colleges, as well as employee identification cards issued by state and local government entities and charter schools, are valid forms of photo ID for voting when approved by the State Board. Many other types of photo ID, including driver’s licenses, also will be accepted for voting. “Once again, we encourage all eligible educational institutions and government employers to apply for their IDs to be approved for voting. Getting their IDs approved will help ensure their students and employees are best equipped to participate in our state’s elections,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “The State Board is ready to assist these institutions and governmental entities as they work through this approval process.” How to Apply To request approval for use in the 2024 primary and general elections, an institution must provide a signed Student or Employee Identification Approval Request Form and a digital image of the ID card to the State Board on or before December 15, 2023. All colleges and universities, whether public or private, may seek approval of their student ID cards. Public colleges and universities may also seek approval of their employee ID cards, but they must submit separate approval forms for each type of ID. See request forms and instructions: November 2023 Student ID Approval Request Form (fillable PDF) November 2023 Student ID Instructions (PDF) November 2023 Employee ID Approval Request Form (fillable PDF) November 2023 Employee ID Instructions (PDF) The State Board of Elections will review submissions to ensure they comply with criteria in state law. It will publish a list of newly approved ID cards by early 2024. Cards approved in this round will remain valid for use as a voter’s photo ID through December 31, 2024. For government agencies and educational institutions that had ID cards previously approved, please see the ID Card Approval Flow Chart to determine next steps. State Board staff are in contact with education, governmental, and advocacy partners to ensure details of the approval process are shared with all institutions. Educational institutions and government agencies with questions about the process should email VoterID@ncsbe.gov or call (919) 814-0700. ### NC State Board of Elections North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE)

This is a test of Wix that I am not happy with

blog testing

1) Looking for language to draft for an election bill in your state? The Election Integrity Network - EIN - Legislative National Working Group has created a repository or bills either passed or in committee to help you craft your legislation. Enjoy! Legislative repository https://whoscounting.us/legislative-resource-library/ 2) The Markup is a new insider legislative update from the Voting Rights Lab, powered by the State Voting Rights Tracker. Each week we’ll give you insight on the bills we’re watching. We’ll catch you up on important changes from the week before and let you know what to expect in the week to come. Enter your info below to subscribe now — and please spread the word. Voting Rights Lab is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings state policy and legislative expertise to the fight for voting rights. We work in partnership with organizations across the country to secure, protect, and defend the voting rights of all Americans. And we track voting laws and legislation in all 50 states at tracker.votingrightslab.org. https://votingrightslab.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=726a2570656bae04d06b099ef&id=8d7e6dc6e2

From Staci Metcalf, Buncombe County, NC to School Board. ATTACHED TO THIS EMAIL IS THE SB49 PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS DOCUMENT for you to review. Below is the email I will be sending to BCS Board and also my example for you to look at and send your own email. Please personalize by changing, adding to or taking away from so that it will line up with your experiences, beliefs and desires for your children's education. The Board needs to see these emails hit their inbox within the next week to make a difference. I am also recommending: 1. You email again during the week leading up to the board meeting on December 7. 2. You copy and paste from this email and send it out to each of your liberty-minded friends who want to stand in the gap for our children in public schools. 3. Show up to the December 7 School Board meeting at 5pm to sign up and speak, even if it is just reading the email out loud that you have sent. But if you just can't make yourself speak publicly, at least show up and make your presence known by standing when asked to stand if you agree with what has been said publicly. We really need EVERYONE to show up that can. Please help us stand for our children. ONLY TWO OF US SHOWED UP AT THE NOVEMBER 2 BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. IF WE DON'T SHOW UP, WE HAVE NO VOICE. THE OTHER SIDE IS OVERWHELMINGLY OUTNUMBERING US AT THESE MEETINGS. THE OTHER SIDE IS SHOWING UP, THEY ARE SPEAKING, and THE BOARD IS LISTENING! EVEN THOUGH IT IS STATE LAW, THE BOARD IS LEANING TOWARDS NOT IMPLEMENTING THE PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS. WE HAVE TO ACT NOW. WE MUST BOMBARD THEM WITH EMAILS IN FAVOR OF IMPLEMENTING THIS LAW AND SHOW UP AT THE NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ON DECEMBER 7 AT 5PM. Email to Buncombe County Board of Education at communications@bcsemail.org To: Our Buncombe County School Board First, let me say thank you for your sacrifice of time in fulfilling your position to watch over the education of our precious children. It is a very important position and extremely crucial in this season. I am emailing so that my voice is heard. It is difficult for me to get to the board meetings at the time they are scheduled due to my job/commitments/childcare. Public Comment signup ends before those of us who work can get out of the parking lot. I thank you for this opportunity to email my thoughts, needs and concerns. I, also, thank you for taking the time to hear and really think about the concerns I have. The Parents' Bill of Rights (SB49) is a bill, as you already know, that creates a transparency regarding school curriculum; affirms parents rights to object to curriculum and to be involved in schools; affirms parents rights to the medical records of their children; and prohibits teaching gender ideology in K-4th grade. Parents are and should be the primary educators of their children and want/need to know what they are learning. The Parents Bill of Rights was needed to protect parental rights, address their concerns and access to curricula, and prohibit instruction on sexual orientation. Public schools should be focused on basic education in reading, math, writing, science and social studies. It is best when moral teaching is left at home with parents, and therapy to the parent's choosing of outside therapists to help their children deal with social and emotional issues as it has been for decades. As I sit and listen, either in person or through the live video, to those speaking during public comment at school board meetings against this bill, I hear bashing of conservatives and Christians who just want their children taught the basics of education as school was created to do. They use descriptions such as, "a small group of people spreading fear" or "a small group of people making life difficult" or "a group demanding their way and not caring for their neighbors or others." These statements simply are not true. We do care for everyone but our first responsibility is to make sure our children's education doesn't cross the line, leading our children away from the education being taught at home in regards to their faith and beliefs. I am not trying to force any of my beliefs on those who do not agree with me. I simply just want my children and grandchildren taught the basics of education. I would be fine with removing the libraries from public schools so there is no "battle" over what is appropriate and what isn't since there seem to be so many differences in what we see appropriate and inappropriate. All families (traditional, traditional blended, non-traditional, non-traditional blended, single parent homes, etc) could simply take their children to a public library and check out books of their preferred choices or access digitally with parent's knowing what their children were accessing. Then children could be exposed to the books that line up with their families faith and beliefs instead of exposing children to books that do not. Again, if we were simply teaching the basics of education, none of this would be an issue. Let's just get back to the basics, but until we do, we need to follow the law of SB49, which, as stated above, creates a transparency regarding school curriculum; affirms parents rights to object to curriculum and to be involved in schools; affirms parents rights to the medical records of their children; and prohibits teaching gender ideology in K-4th grade. Thank you for hearing me and thank you for following the law that has been passed to help parents maintain their crucial role as the leaders of their family and children. Respectfully,

[PLEASE PERSONALIZE THIS LETTER AND DO NOT USE VERBATIM. Just to give idea of what to write.] Date: RE: Please implement SB49 – The Parents’ Bill of Rights Dear Buncombe County School Board: My name is __________________. I am writing in support of SB49, the Parents’ Bill of Rights, and I am asking you to implement all parts of the state law according to the timeline provided by the state. Children are not wards of the state. They are gifts from God to their parents. The Parents’ Bill of Rights protects the rights of parents to direct the care and education of their children. It also protects their rights to direct their children’s upbringing and moral/religious training. Schools may partner with parents, but schools are not ultimately in charge of them. Parents are. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world, where some adults in the children’s sphere have harmed them. Within the law are strong protections for children in cases of abuse. I have become increasingly alarmed at the opposition to this bill, specifically the outcry of the LGBTQ community and its activists. I am extremely concerned that you are listening to their loud voices (which I contend do not represent the county as a whole) and will not implement the state law as written. At the November 2 board meeting, activists from the Campaign for Southern Equality spoke. Only one of these representatives stated she was from Buncombe County. These activists are pushing a human secular agenda. In this agenda, you are either for them or against (a Marxist trick), and you are hostile and possess a “narrowed love of neighbor” if you do not agree with them. Please do not succumb to their threats. Let them bring on lawsuits. Implement the law. The law states that gender identity should not be taught in grades K-4th grade. Gender ideology is controversial. I contend most Buncombe County parents do not agree with it. As far as I’m concerned, gender identity is a moral issue and should not be broached in schools at any age, because schools do not have the authority to be the directors of a child’s moral beliefs or religion. Regardless, gender identity falls under the realm of reproductive health/sex education and should not be addressed at this very young age. If a parent wants to address this issue at home, he/she can. This controversial topic should not be addressed in grades K-4th grade. The Parents’ Bill of Rights protects our children in this regard. The law also states that schools should not keep information from parents unless in situations of abuse or potential harm. To help their children, parents need the knowledge of what their child is experiencing at school, so they can help them or seek help in other places. If a child is experiencing gender dysphoria, parents, who direct their children’s upbringing and moral beliefs, need to know so they can help their child. The LGBTQ activists seemed concerned about teacher’s “outing” students to parents. Keeping secrets from parents, who have authority over that child, is extremely alarming and morally wrong. Human secularism is a thought belief in which all morality is relative. Human secularism is a religion, a religion of self. Note: The Unitarian Church falls under this purview. Human secularism is the most intolerant of all religions. If you do not agree with the tenets of human secularism, then you are hostile, hateful and evil. It appears in this fight for parental rights and the protection of our children that the religion of human secularism is taking precedence over all other thought beliefs including Judaism, Islam and Christianity. I am extremely concerned that without the Parents’ Bill of Rights children will become indoctrinated by the religion of human secularism against the wishes of their parents. That is morally wrong. I am also concerned that by promoting the human secular agenda that you will be creating a hostile educational environment for all students and school staff who do not agree with its tenets which include the affirmation and acceptance of LGBTQ lifestyles. These students and staff who disagree with human secularism have the right to their own beliefs. They can be kind and compassionate to all students without affirming a lifestyle choice that they feel is immoral and hurtful to a student’s well-being. If you do not implement all parts of the state law according to the timeline given to you by the state, I am concerned about what LGBTQ activists will be pushing on our children and school staff next. Craig Wilson, a representative of the Campaign for Southern Equality who spoke at the November 2 board meeting, noted present concerns of “staff outing students, staff not respecting correct pronouns and names, and staff censoring curriculum beyond requirements.” Will you then begin forcing staff to go against their religious and moral beliefs to keep secrets from parents, to use names and pronouns which do not go along with a student’s biological sex, and to include materials and curriculum in their teaching which they find offensive and harmful? It is not the job of seven board members to go against the wishes of the voters of North Carolina and not implement state law. It is your duty to implement SB49 as written and according to the timeline provided by the state. Please implement SB49. Sincerely, Name

https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2023/Bills/Senate/PDF/S49v5.pdf This is part of the bill. Hold your Board of Education accountable. Pornagraphy/sexual orientation endoctrination is clearly against the law. You have the right to review classroom materials! § 114A-10. Parents' bill of rights. A parent has the right to the following: (1) To direct the education and care of his or her child. (2) To direct the upbringing and moral or religious training of his or her child. (3) To enroll his or her child in a public or nonpublic school and in any school choice options available to the parent for which the child is otherwise eligible by law in order to comply with compulsory attendance laws, as provided in Part 1 of Article 26 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes. (4) To access and review all education records, as authorized by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, relating to his or her child. (5) To make health care decisions for his or her child, unless otherwise provided by law, including Article 1A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. (6) To access and review all medical records of his or her child, as authorized by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), P.L. 104-191, as amended, except as follows: a. If an authorized investigator requests that information not be released to a parent because the parent is the subject of an investigation of either of the following: 1. A crime committed against the child under Chapter 14 of the General Statutes. *S49-v-5* Page 2 Session Law 2023-106 Senate Bill 49 2. An abuse and neglect complaint under Chapter 7B of the General Statutes. b. When otherwise prohibited by law. (7) To prohibit the creation, sharing, or storage of a biometric scan of his or her child without the parent's prior written consent, except as authorized pursuant to a court order or otherwise required by law, including G.S. 7B-2102 and G.S. 7B-2201. (8) To prohibit the creation, sharing, or storage of his or her child's blood or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) without the parent's prior written consent, except as authorized pursuant to a court order or otherwise required by law, including G.S. 7B-2201. (9) To prohibit the creation by the State of a video or voice recording of his or her child without the parent's prior written consent, except a recording made in the following circumstances: a. During or as part of a court proceeding. b. As part of an investigation under Chapter 7B or Chapter 14 of the General Statutes. c. When the recording will be used solely for any of the following purposes: 1. A safety demonstration, including one related to security and discipline on educational property. 2. An academic or extracurricular activity. 3. Classroom instruction. 4. Photo identification cards. 5. Security or surveillance of buildings, grounds, or school transportation. (10) To be promptly notified if an employee of the State suspects that a criminal offense has been committed against his or her child, unless the incident has first been reported to law enforcement or the county child welfare agency, and notification of the parent would impede the investigation.