CALENDAR
Wednesday, October 17

 Voter registration deadline for general election
Saturday, October 20
 LWVMA League Leaders Lunch, Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, 7 Elm Street, Harvard, MA from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday, October 22 - Friday, November 2

 Early voting period for Massachusetts general election
Friday, October 26 LWVMA Board Meeting,  Acton Memorial Library, 11:00 a.m.  
Monday, October 29 "Voting in the Midterms: Impediments and Policies that Get Voters to the Polls" Webinar featuring Professor Erin O'Brien, from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. 
Tuesday, November 6 Massachusetts general election
HAPPENING NOW
LWVMA Hosts Webinar on Barriers to Voting Oct. 29
 
Want to to better understand the barriers to voting here in Massachusetts?  Eager to learn how to get out the vote?  Join LWVMA for " Voting in the Midterms:  Impediments and Policies that Get Voters to the Polls," a webinar with Professor Erin O'Brien, University of Massachusetts Boston, Monday, October 29, 5:30-6:30.  Register to participate in the webinar here.
Why Did You Join the League?  Share Your Reason!

As part of our preparations for the League of Women Voters 100th Anniversary, we are working on a video project around the concept of 100 Reasons I Joined the League. An introductory video that will be part of our multifaceted social media campaign will have its premier at the League Leaders lunch Saturday, Oct. 20!

Then, building on the 100 Reasons campaign, we will ask all League members across the Commonwealth to create a 15-second cellphone video: I Joined the League of Women Voters because...

We are proud of our members and hope to capture 100-plus League members sharing their reasons for being a part of the League. Stay tuned for more information on participating in this exciting initiative!
It's a "Twofer"! Support LWVMA AND Your Local League

As attacks on our democratic norms and institutions escalate in Washington, many of the best opportunities to fight back exist at the state and local level.  That is why LWVMA is at the forefront of bold efforts to strengthen democracy right here in Massachusetts , including leading the successful effort to pass Automatic Voter Registration--a game-changer!

To encourage voter participation and informed choice, we have launched MOVE 2018, a statewide initiative that includes our online voters' guide, public service announcements from our student video contest, other voter information materials and candidates' forums. LWVMA is also supporting the startup of several new Leagues around the state.

Now we need your help. By supporting our Fall Appeal, you will sustain the essential work of LWVMA and earn money for your own League.  If we receive your donation of $100 or more by Wednesday, Oct. 31, your local League will receive 15% of your donation; for donations of less than $100 received by Oct. 31, your local League will receive 10%. And if you donate now, you won't be called during our Phonathon later this year.

To donate online, please click here.  To donate by mail, please print and enclose this form with your check.
Join a Ballot Question Study Webinar

The ballot question process study committee will present a webinar on the study, with two remaining times available, each covering the same material. Topics will include an overview of the study, study materials, role of local Leagues/Units/MALs, consensus meetings, reporting consensus results, and getting further help.

You can sign up for the webinars on the study webpage or by clicking on the links below:
Local Leagues and Units can email bqstudy@lwvma.org to register your contact person or persons (send name, email, and League name), request the background PowerPoint file, or to communicate with the study co-chairs.
ELECTIONS & VOTING
LWVMA Online Voters' Guide Is Live!
 
InformedVoterMA.org, LWVMA's in-depth and comprehensive online voters' guide, is now live for the Nov. 6 election. Please publicize this unique, interactive resource on local League websites and Facebook pages, through letters to the editor, and by distributing cards or bookmarks promoting the web address.

InformedVoterMA.org provides voters with a personalized ballot with information on the three statewide ballot questions, as well as on candidates in the U.S. Senate, Congressional, Governor/Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Auditor, state legislative, District Attorney, County Commissioner, Governor's Council, Clerk of Courts, and Register of Deeds races.

Our Voter Service Toolkit contains graphics to use on your social media pages promoting the online voters' guide, along with Letter to the Editor and press release templates for InfomedVoterMA.org and the message to vote.
Promote Early Voting

Early voting in Massachusetts begins Monday, Oct. 22 and ends Friday, Nov. 2.  Make sure voters in your towns and cities know the hours and days for early voting in each community.  Early voting times and polling places for every city and town can be found at the Secretary of State website here.
Share Candidate Forum Information
 
LWVMA is collecting links to videos of candidate forums sponsored by local Leagues and posting them on the website here. There is also a list of upcoming candidates' forums and debates. Please share this information. And make sure your League sends information on its forums to Taylor at LWVMA.
Protect the Vote on Election Day
 
Volunteer to work as an observer on Election Day Nov. 6 at polls that have a history of voting irregularities. The League is once again joining the election protection effort sponsored by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice. Live trainings, as well as digital on-demand trainings, will be provided in late October so volunteers are well-equipped to spot common voting problems. Volunteers work in pairs or small groups to monitor polling locations throughout Massachusetts.

By volunteering for a minimum of 3.5 hours, you can serve a crucial role in preventing and resolving issues that bar eligible voters' access to the ballot box. Volunteering with young people or those you mentor promotes civic engagement.

To volunteer, fill out the form here. For more information, contact Meryl Kessler, LWVMA executive director.
Help Engage Voters
 
Share our Award-Winning "Get in the Game and Vote" Videos. Last spring nearly 300 Massachusetts students participated in our High School Student Video contest, creating 30-second public service announcements encouraging young adults to register to vote and turn out at the polls.  

Thirteen of the winning videos are now available, and we urge you to share them with voters young and old in your communities.  We will publicize the videos through print media and send them to high schools and colleges and to cable television outlets. We will post them on Facebook and Twitter, and we urge you to do the same. 
THE TO-DO LIST
Treasurers: File tax returns!
   
Treasurers please note! All Leagues must file an annual tax return with the IRS no later than the 15th day of the fifth month after the close of your tax year. If your fiscal year ended on June 30, your local League treasurer MUST file your e-postcard by Nov. 15. Failure to file for three consecutive years will result in the revocation of your League's tax-exempt status. Leagues that receive less than $50,000 in income can electronically file Form 990-N (the "e-postcard"). The form is short and easy to complete.
 
Our website has detailed information about the responsibilities of local League treasurers and filing this tax form. Please contact Executive Director Meryl Kessler if you have questions.
Membership Chairs and Roster Mangers: Update Information
   
All local League membership chairs, please make sure you have sent the contact information for your new members to Brynne Gorman so those members receive our newsletters, action alerts, invitations to events and more! Please also let Brynne know of any changes to your board so we can keep the LWVMA League leader directory and email lists updated.

Roster managers, please update your roster and League leadership roles in the LWVUS database throughout the year. You can access the database here.
New LWVMA Office and Phone Number
   
LWVMA's office has moved to 90 Canal Street, Suite 414, Boston, MA 02114 in Boston.  The email address remains lwvma@lwvma.org.  The new phone number is 857-452-1715.
LWVUS Election Activity Survey
   
LWVUS is asking all Leagues to complete its post-election survey. This survey is the national League's best source of data and critical information about the election-related activities of state and local Leagues and is used to develop resources for Leagues, identify areas of needed training and support, and measure the full impact of our organization's work to protect, register, and engage voters in 2018. Please have someone from your League take a few minutes to fill out the survey once your election year activities have wrapped up. Where you do not have exact numbers, estimates are fine.
LWVUS Schedules Third Diversity Webinar
   
LWVUS is offering a series of webinars on diversity, equity and inclusion.  The third in the series will cover putting DEI principles into action to increase the League's social impact work in communities across the nation. During this webinar, you will learn about State and Local Leagues' activities that are expanding their reach into more diverse communities. Speakers will discuss the ways individual leaders are overcoming discomfort with communicating across dimensions of difference.

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2 - 3:30 p.m. Register here .
The League Leader Update is distributed to local League board members and LWVMA leaders. Anyone can request the Update by clicking here. Please review this Update for articles of interest to your League and include them in your local Bulletin. 
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