Cindy Dunn, Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), speaking at a recent event held by the League of Women Voters.
There’s an old saying that the fastest way to lose a friend is to argue either religion or politics.
I don’t know about religion, but, for almost a century, the League of Women Voters has operated deep within the world of politics and elections, promoting voter information, ballot access and voter rights. Those efforts come to a head every four years, along with the presidential election cycle.
The national league formed in Chicago in February 1920, six months before ratification of the 19thAmendment, which gave women the right to vote. It was intended to help women understand the U.S. form of government, as well as to support their efforts to register and vote. The founders planned to have the organization accomplish its work within five years, then disband.
Over the years, however, the league evolved from an organization concerned only with women voters and their needs to one concerned with all citizens’ right to vote. In Pennsylvania, there are 32 local leagues, which include both men and women.
“Our local league came into being in 1948 and represents citizens in 23 boroughs or townships in central Pennsylvania,” said Grace Newsome, president of the League of Women Voters of the Harrisburg Area.
Taking a Position
The league not only helps register voters, but studies and reaches consensus on issues of concern to members. I asked Susan Carty, president of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, about the process for developing positions.
“Let me give you an example,” she said. “At the 2015 state convention, a member from one of the local leagues brought up the need for a criminal justice study. The membership voted unanimously to support this request for a study. We formed a 15-member committee to review the issue and all of its elements. Committee members were vetted for their background and experience to ensure an impartial review.”
Committee members conducted extensive research, interviewed stakeholders and solicited a variety of opinions. They then produced a study guide and consensus questions, which were provided to all local leagues, giving them the option to review and respond. The final draft contained subsections including bail and bonding, effective counsel, alternatives to incarceration, appropriate sentencing, prison conditions, reentry of former prisoners and economic issues.
At the recent meeting of the League of Women Voters of the United States, issues that had been developed at the local level—and concurred with at the state level—were discussed for consideration.
“Twenty-nine members of our league in Pennsylvania traveled to Washington, D.C., to support our proposed program for criminal justice, among others,” Carty said. “We were pleased to have the results of our efforts approved.”
Once a position is developed and approved, advocacy begins, Newsome said.
“Teams of members are trained who will focus and specialize on a particular issue, such as campaign finance, healthcare or water resource management,” she said.
These members engage, communicate, visit, write letters to the editor and meet with elected representatives when significant legislation develops that would have a direct impact on those issues. The league also engages with like-minded, statewide organizations to form a coalition to expand the voices heard on an issue.
That Voice
Locally, the league plays an active role in the community, said Shirley McCormick, secretary of the Harrisburg league.
“We have provided voter registration tables to assist people in registering to vote at the Harrisburg Area Community College, the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg, the West Shore Farmers Market in Lemoyne, the Simpson Library in Mechanicsburg and the Homeless Connect Project,” she said.
This past September, they collaborated with nine other organizations to present an event entitled “Our Stories, Our Voices.” This event, which was open to the public, featured women of various backgrounds sharing personal experiences as to why they vote and why they believe it is so important.
The local league also produces a yearly “Facts for Voters” brochure, which contains frequently asked questions, names and contact information for federal and state legislators, contact information for school districts and municipalities, and pertinent dates regarding elections, which is distributed to public buildings throughout the area.
During the past year, the Harrisburg league also held four public meetings with guest speakers such as the secretary of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and a professor from Widener Law School. And, this month, the league, in conjunction with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Society, will hold a forum for the candidates running for the state’s 15th senatorial district at Widener.
Does all this sound interesting? Then perhaps you should consider getting involved. McCormick said the league always welcomes new members.
“Many people believe they don’t have a voice in the development of laws and national policy,” she said. “Our organization can give them that voice.”
To learn more about the League of Women Voters, visit www.lwv.org, call 717-545-7497 or email lwvhbg@gmail.com.
Author: Don Helin
