National Popular Vote
Dear Juneau LWV Members,
We have an opportunity to meet with three representatives of the National Popular Vote movement on Tuesday, Jan. 17th, at 5:30 pm at Centennial Hall. These folks (Ted Popely, Laura Brod, Barry Fadem) will be in town for the opening of the Legislature, and they would like to answer any questions that we might have about the NPV movement. They have offered to rent the space and provide refreshments, so we are hoping that all interested members will take this opportunity to become more enlightened on this issue. The National Popular Vote Compact is supported by both the State and National LWV. Please feel free to bring interested friends, too.
What is the NPV Compact? The Compact is an effort to make every vote count in Federal elections and every state count. Each state that enters into the Compact agrees to cast all their Electoral Votes for the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates who receive the most popular votes. Eight states and the District of Columbia have already signed on (VT, MD, IL, WA, NJ, MA, CA, HI, & DC). These states equal
132 electoral votes of the 270 electoral votes needed to win.
Legislation to add Alaska to the list is currently being proposed in the AK Legislature.
SO PLEASE ATTEND THIS INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON THE 17TH. THE JUNEAU LWV WILL HAVE FREE BOOKS AVAILABLE THAT GIVE THE HISTORY OF THIS MOVEMENT AND THE ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF IT. Remember: Jan. 17th,
5:30 pm, Centennial Hall.
If you want to read more about this movement, go to <www.nationalpopularvote.com
League Principles
The League of Women Voters believes
in representative government and in the individual liberties established
in the Constitution of the United States.
The League of Women Voters believes that democratic government depends
upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires
that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by
giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and
making public records accessible.
The League of Women Voters believes
that every citizen should be protected in the right to vote; that every
person should have access to free public
education which provides equal opportunity for all; and that no person
or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination.
The
League of Women Voters believes that efficient and economical government
requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibility,
adequate financing and coordination among the different agencies and
levels of government.
The League of Women Voters believes that responsible
government should be responsive to the will of the people; that government
should maintain
an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation
and development of natural resources in the public interest, share
in the solution of economic and social problems which affect the
general welfare, promote a sound economy, and adopt domestic policies
which
facilitate the solution of international problems.
The League of Women
Voters believes that cooperation with other nations is essential in
the search for solutions to world problems, and that
the development of international organization and international law
is imperative in the promotion of world peace.
Program
League program at every level consists of those governmental issues
that members choose for concentrated study and action. At each year’s
program planning meeting, members discuss their ideas for local, state,
and national program. Their proposals are submitted to the respective
boards of directors. The board at each level then considers the proposals
forwarded to it, formulates a recommended program, and presents it to
the membership at the annual meeting or to the delegates at the state
or national convention. There is also a procedure for placing non-recommended
items before the meeting.
Certain criteria must be used when considering
a program. The issue must fall within the Principles of the League
and be one on which governmental
action can be taken. Final decisions on state and national program
are made by a vote of the delegates to the respective conventions. At
the
local level, this is done by the voting members in attendance at the
annual meeting.
Once a study has been adopted, the board appoints a chairperson
of the “resource,” or
study, committee. This person in turn finds other members to serve on
the committee. Taking part in a study is an excellent way to become familiar
with and involved in the League.
The resource committee gathers information
on the study item, analyzes the information, clarifies the issues, and
identifies the problems. It
is the committee’s responsibility to present all sides of the issue
to members for their consideration. The study may also include tours,
guest speakers, interviews, and other activities.
Before the League can
act on the issue, members must agree in broad terms on various aspects
of the issue. To formulate a position, the League
takes consensus. Consensus, or agreement, is reached through group
discussion. Members come to an overall “sense of the group” as
expressed through the exchange of ideas and opinions. It is from this
agreement that League formulates a position statement for action.
Another
process for obtaining a League position is through the process of concurrence,
or agreeing with a proposed statement. League members
or boards can concur with recommendations or a statement from a task
force, a resource committee, a unit group, or any League board–another
local board, any state board, or the national board.
| History
In
1920, Carrie Chapman Catt, a native Iowan, organized the League
of Women Voters of the United States. The League’s first
goal was to teach women how to exercise their new right to vote.
The scope was soon enlarged to include service to all citizens.
Political action based on knowledge gained from study became the
cornerstone of the League’s diverse agenda.
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Nonpartisanship
The League may take
political action on issues on which members reach agreement. The
League never
supports or opposes any political party or candidate for elective
office. However, the League encourages its members, as individuals,
to take part fully in the political process. Because of scrupulous
adherence to this nonpartisan political policy, the League takes
action in the public interest. |
| Action
Once members
reach agreement and a position is stated, local, state, or national
Leagues take action by:
• lobbying
• working with other organizations
• speaking out through letter-writing and telegram campaigns to legislators
and through personal visits to legislators and administrative agencies
• publishing and distributing pertinent materials
• testifying at legislative and administrative hearings to assure citizen
input in policymaking decisions
• monitoring elections and other government activities
• litigating to help clarify laws in the public interest.
The League observes meetings of local, regional, state, and national governmental
bodies. Observers do not speak for the League but attend meetings to listen,
to learn, and to make factual reports of the proceedings.
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Membership
Membership in the League
of Women Voters is open to everyone.
• Voting members are citizens at least 18 years old who are enrolled in
a Local League.
• Associate members are persons enrolled in a Local League who are under
18 years old or who are noncitizens.
• Life members are voting members who have belonged to the League for 50
years. Life members pay no dues.
Two or more members living at the same address qualify for a household membership.
One person pays full dues, and the second person makes a half-payment of dues.
A
person may join the League at the local, state, or national level. Membership
in the League usually encompasses all three levels.
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Voters Service
The League is perhaps
best known for its varied services to voters. The League directs
its efforts toward encouraging citizens to register, to vote, and
to take part in government and politics. Voter Service activities
include sponsoring candidate meetings, debates, or interviews; conducting
voter registration drives; providing information about voting to
the public through the print and electronic media; and getting out
the vote on election day.
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Citizen Information
Educating
citizens about government is a major League activity. Through community
forums, political directories, and factual studies of governmental
issues, the League provides information necessary for an informed
electorate. Community organizations often turn to the League for
speakers or moderators of panels.
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| Publications
One
important tool for carrying out League’s goals are publications
that are researched, written, and distributed by members at every
level. National catalogs are available. Publications may be purchased
by members and the public.
A newsletter called the Voter is sent by each League level to
its members. Local Voters are published quarterly, state Voters
quarterly, and the National Voter bi-monthly.
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Organization
The League of Women
Voters works on the local, state, and national levels. Members of
the Local League elect their officers and board of directors at an
annual meeting. Each Local League is entitled to send delegates to
state and national conventions. For all three levels of League, local
members decide what will be studied, what action will be taken, how
League money will be spent, and who League leaders will be. The League
is a grass-roots organization, and members are very protective of
this approach. |
