 |
|
The Voter
League of Women Voters of the Midland Area
|
|
May 18, 6pm
Annual Meeting
Midland Holiday Inn
jun 14, 11am
Tour of Sanford Dam with Lunch after
Sep 14, 7pm
Community Conversation on Public Trust
Grace A Dow Memorial Library Community Room
|
Educational booklet for new voters
|
|
MONEY IN POLITICS POSITION PUBLISHED
|
We've talked at length about this topic this year, as the subject for a national study in which we participated along with 335 other Local Leagues throughout the US. The study has been finalized by the national committee with the publication of the LWVUS position on
Money in Politics. The League is now better prepared to advocate on current issues related to campaign finance reform.
|
Board of Directors
|
President
VP Membership
VP Program
Secretary
Treasurer
Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
President's Letter
|
|
|
While we're winding up the 2015-16 year, we still have many good things on our plate before the official year end on June 30 - Annual Meeting on May 18, Sanford Dam tour on June 14, preparing for election-related voter service activities. See articles below for details.
Sue McCollister, President
|
|
Annual Meeting
|
|
|
We're looking forward to a great evening of socializing, dining, learning, and conducting our required business. Speaker
Ann Manary, County Clerk
, will be especially timely, as her office covers many election-related matters for the county.
|
|
Making Democracy Work Workshop
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Gretchen Whitmer |
We had seven of our League members travel to Lansing for the event presented by the state LWV. We heard from
Gretchen Whitmer, former State Senate Democratic Leader, who shared her experiences as a female legislator; when she first came into office, there were 12 females in the state senate, compared to four today.
Sally Williams, Director of Elections Liaison division of the Secretary of State, talked about factors that inhibit voting, such as long lines and running out of ballots in recent elections; she stressed that any voter in line at the polls when they close is entitled to vote, and election officials are required to provide a ballot.
Craig Mauger, Executive Director of MI Campaign Finance Network, stated that with the outrageous amounts of money that influence the political campaign process, "your voice is being stolen". He also commented on the role that term limits play in the inexperience and lack of preparedness of elected state officials and the lack of continuity in the state legislature.
President Judy Karandjeff and Vice Presidents Sue Smith and Linda Hoff of the State LWV Board talked about the importance of the Democracy Agenda - voter protection, election reform, money in politics, amending the constitution. This will be the focus of LWV for the next two years, so we'll continue to hear more about it. We also heard about Program and Advocacy, especially how we can, and should, be involved in the advocacy process at the local League level.
It was a great opportunity to hear from these leaders, in the company of 90+ other League members from around the state -- All in all, a most worthwhile day!
|
|
|
| Judy McDowell, Sue McCollister, Sharon Such |
|
|
|
Tour of Sanford Dam - Tues, June 14, 11am
|
|
|
We're closing out the year with a very special event - a tour of the Sanford Dam, followed by lunch at Lanny's restaurant, 336 W. Saginaw Rd. in Sanford. Please wear jeans and tennis shoes or close equivalents, as there is construction and unpaved ground. We're excited to learn about the workings of the dam and how it fits into our energy systems.
Reservations are not necessary but recommended. To reserve, contact Sharron Such,
[email protected] or
989-689-4148. Feel free to invite a guest.
Watch for details via email regarding directions and parking.
|
|
| Save the Date - Summer & Fall Events |
 |
|
We're gearing up for a busy election season. We'll be scheduling candidate forums for the August 2 Primary and will have Primary candidate information available via VOTE411, our online voter guide.
We'll repeat the process for the November 8 General Election, along with publishing our print Voter Guide.
Voter registration is also on our calendar, as we work with Delta College on their voter registration drive September 27-29.
In between all this, we'll host a
community conversation on Public Trust in Government, presented by the Center for Michigan on September 14, 7:00 p.m. at the Grace A. Dow Library Community Room.
The above activities offer plenty of opportunities for you, our members, to become engaged with the League, without a longer-term commitment. Let us hear from you!
Look for our midsummer VOTER for updates on these coming events.
|
|
|
Membership
|
If you are interested in joining, please fill out the form below, and send it in. If you have questions, please email Judy McDowell, VP Membership.
mail to: LWV - Midland Area
P.O. Box 1203
Midland, MI 48641-1203
|
|
|
|
|
