Voter Newsletter

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF

LOUISVILLE & JEFFERSON COUNTY

VOTER Newsletter

February 6, 2009

President Halbig’s Message:

February 10 is LOBBY DAY in Frankfort. I’ll be testifying before the Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee about HB70 to restore voting rights to former felons. Check out the state League’s study on our website (www.lwvlouisville.org ). We can also go to Frankfort on another day if several want to go. It is important that you call or email in about HB70 since this is the first step to go to a committee. When a bill is voted out of committee favorably, it can go to the HOUSE floor for a vote, so calls and emails need to continue to go in. Then the bill can be assigned to a Senate Committee – this has been where this bill has died over the past couple of years. It is important to call legislators at home at night to talk to them about a bill if you can’t get to Frankfort to meet with them. Just look in your phone book and leave a voice message to ask for a return call. If you are unsure who your legislator is or any of the other elected officials that represent you (federal congressional Representative or Senator, Metro Council Person person, state Representative or state Senator), call 574-6100 and furnish your address to receive the information. Elected officials are especially sensitive to calls coming from voters in their respective districts and WILL return your call if you live in their district – BUT it might take 2-3 days to get a personal call (so leave a convenient time to reach you and cell if possible).

HB155 is an act relating to instruction in voting. The sponsor is Representative Adam Koenig 1-859-578-9258 (home phone)

or leave a message for ALL legislators at 1-800-872-7181

or email ALL legislators: 2009legislators@lrc.ky.gov on this or any bills.

HB155 Creates a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require secondary schools to provide information to twelfth-grade students on how to register to vote, vote in an election using a ballot, and vote using an absentee ballot; recommend instructional methods. This is a bill we can all be proud to support!!! Please call or email today.

Cordially, President Teena Halbig

          Alice Paul

Carrie Chapman Catt (right)

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Susan B. Anthony, standing

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE: THE DEMAND FOR EQUALITY

Bellarmine College Veritas Course: Women’s Suffrage: The Demand for Equality begins March 3 and ends April 7 on Tuesdays 3:45pm to 5:15pm.

President Halbig and Dot Ridings are assisting the

Organizer/Facilitator, Jane Keller to line out the 6 classes.

The July 1848 Seneca Falls, New York Convention was the formal declaration of a small group of women and a few men that formally launched the struggle for women’s equality and justice. This was a pivotal moment in the demand for full citizenship for half the nation’s population. These demands included the right to vote, serve on a jury, hold public office, claim their own possessions (a husband claimed all his wife’s property upon marriage), earn equal wages, acquire a good education, have access to divorce, and enter the professions.

The women’s rights movement had gained momentum with abolitionism in the early 1800’s, but, as the Civil War loomed, women’s equality became a secondary movement. The small group at Seneca Falls declared their determination to achieve their goals. This determination resulted in meetings, conventions, writings, organizations, public forums, challenging political opponents, and fighting for the 19^th Amendment that became law in 1920 to give women the right to vote (passed by ONE vote of a Congressman who was influenced by his Mother).

MARCH IS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS HOSTED BY LWV OF LOUISVILLE

Metro Council President Jim King outlined government structure before and after merged government in 2003. Two interpreters assisted as a discussion about how civic nonprofit organizations like the League interact with government to bring about change. Each League member cited an example. After the meeting, President Halbig was presented a pin and scarf was tied around her neck. Everyone enjoyed meeting these outstanding visitors from near Siberia, Russia who will be the future leaders in their country. The League worked with the World Affairs Council of KY/Indiana, Matt Madden, to host the event at Lang House.

Also, Mr. Madden, had 2 visitors from Tanzania and Burundia that President Halbig met with on Election Day at the World Affairs Council office in downtown Louisville. These two visitors were interested in the way elections are run in America, KY, Indiana, etc. and were very interested in the Electoral College. They also went to the Democrat and Republican parties that night to see the election returns process.

CAN YOU HELP REGISTER VOTERS?

In 2008, the League gave out over 1200 Voter Registration Cards at Immigration Services where immigrants become newly naturalized citizens.

After the ceremony, hundreds of the new citizens want to quickly get voter information! If you have time to help on any of the following dates, just call Mary Gant 896-6803 or MGANT1@aol.com or 267-6883 or email teenahal@aol.com: Feb. 27 at the Muhammad Ali Center, September 5 at WORLDFEST, and October 16 at Memorial Auditorium.

The League was fortunate to have the help of Dot Ridings, Vicki Willard, and the Whitney M. Young Job Corps Center teachers and students on the Belvedere at the second largest immigration service ever held in Kentucky for 567 immigrants. Note: A month earlier, Carolyn Franklin, Eddie and Teena Halbig gave a presentation about the League and showed a 12 minute clip of “Iron Jawed Angels” to female students who receive education in eleven different occupations. There was also a voter registration table for these students at that time because they knew “your vote is your voice”.

TAKING A STAND ON ENERGY/COAL

Teena Halbig, President LWV of KY and LWV of Louisville, and Joan Lindop, LWV of Louisville Chair of Natural Resources and Environment Committee were ready to testify before the Environmental Quality Commission public hearing Jan. 29 but the ice storm hit and the hearing is being re-scheduled. LWVUS national President Mary G. Wilson has called for a 10 year moratorium on coal fired plants. See remarks on: www.lwvlouisville.org.

NATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK

May 11- 15, 2009

The Louisville League is working with the Louisville Metro Office for Women and Norton Cancer Institute to provide no-cost mammograms to eligible participants over 40 who have not been screened in the past year. State law requires billing of insurance carriers for those who are insured – so please come and bring your insurance card on May 12 from 10:00am to 2:00pm to have your mammogram done in the mobile mammogram unit that will be in our Lang House parking lot at 115 South Ewing Avenue. There should be tables of information provided, too. Volunteer to help this day from 10:00am to 2:00pm – call or email 267-6883 or teenahal@aol.com.

Check our website for the other dates and locations to get mammograms during May 11-15 as the mammogram mobile unit will only be at the League’s Lang House, 115 S. Ewing, on May 12, Tuesday 10am to 2pm.

DONATIONS

As President, I am asking you to make a donation today. The League can carry on work on important issues with your financial assistance.

Mail your tax deductible donation: LWV, 115 S. Ewing Ave., Louisville, KY 40206, Attn. Carolyn Quisenberry, treasurer.

PARLIAMENTARY WORKSHOP

Annual meeting of the Louisville Unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians may be held at Lang House (League co-sponsor) and will include a lunch for a cost of $15 to $20??? And tentatively may be on May 16. Sign up to receive more information by calling 267-6883 or teenahal@aol.com or check our website for updates: www.lwvlouisville.org.

NON-PARTISANSHIP POLICY OF LWV OF LOUISVILLE

LWV, as an organization does not support, endorse nor oppose candidates running for office, nor does it line up wit or against a political party. However, League members as individuals, are encouraged to work actively for the candidate or party of their choice. So no doubts may be cast on the League’s non-partisanship, its officers and directors on all three levels refrain from partisan activities while in office.

Looking for women & men who want to be leaders and serve on the board: Contact Nominating Committee Chair Mary Gant 896-6803 or email GANTM1@aol.com

CALL to STATE LWVKY CONVENTION

April 17-18, 2009 in Lexington

Hosts: LWV of Lexington

at

Faith Lutheran Church

1000 Tates Creek Road

Chevy Chase area of

Lexington, KY

Registration $25, Dinner $20, Box Lunch = $ 55.00

Includes Dinner (buffet with Catering by George), continental breakfast, box lunches.

Mail check payable to LWVKY and mail to

LWVKY treasurer, 6512 Six Mile Lane, Lou, KY 40218

Reception: LWV of Lex. host a reception for members post the Friday afternoon session & before dinner.

Hotels: Red Roof Inn 859-277-9400 (2 people $76.99)

Homewood Suites 859-223-0880

Note: Friday keynote speaker: Dot Ridings

Topic: “History of the League & KIDS VOTING”

Note: Panel to address: ENERGY/COAL

(panelists to be announced)

National LWV US – VIRTUAL COUNCIL MEETING

June 13-15, 2009. Updates to be posted www.lwvus.org

QUESTIONNAIRE ON NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE ( NPV)

Note: Members should answer the following 7 questions by encircling either a. or b. and return the selections to: LWV, 115 South Ewing Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206.

Your input is greatly needed to help the League arrive at a consensus before May 1, 2009.

Let your voice be heard about this important issue to elect the

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES by NPV or by Electoral College vote!

As you recall, Al Gore got the Popular Vote & George Bush won via Electoral vote.

1. Amending the Constitution: a. Action to alter a basic element of the Constitutional framework, which is achievable by amendment to the Constitution, should be accomplished by amendment to the Constitution. b. Action by states through a compact process is an acceptable way to alter the method for electing the President and Vice President.
2. Amending the Constitution: a. Because a compact has never before been used to address a fundamental constitutional issue such as voting, the chance that it might set a precedent for the future leads to the conclusion that it is better that the League continue to work for an amendment to the Constitution to establish the direct popular election of the President and the abolition of the Electoral College. b. Despite the novelty of the use of the compact approach to address a fundamental constitutional issue such as voting, the League should support the NPV Compact as a way of achieving an important goal.
3. Congressional Consent: a. The possibility that the NPV Compact will require congressional consent is not of sufficient concern to block the implementation of the plan. b. The possibility that the NPV Compact will require congressional consent is sufficient to conclude that the plan should not be implemented without obtaining such consent.
4. Enforcement: (Select one) a. The NPV Compact contains sufficient enforcement provisions to assure smooth operation of the plan. b. Although it is not possible to determine whether the enforcement provisions will be sufficient to assure smooth operation of the plan, the plan should be passed anyway. c. Enforcement of the plan is likely to add uncertainty and bring the courts into the presidential election in ways that raise substantial concerns. d. The lack of adequate enforcement provisions is sufficient to conclude that the NPV is not a viable plan.
5. Uniformity: a. The uniformity of voting systems is more important to American democracy than the possibility that the NPV Compact can be adopted. b. The NPV Compact is more important than uniformity of voting systems because it would succeed in achieving the popular election of the President.
6. Popular election of the President: a. It is more important to achieve the goal of national popular election of the President than it is to achieve the goal of abolition of the electoral college. b. It is more important to amend the Constitution to abolish the Electoral College than it is to achieve the goal of popular election of the President by alternative methods, such as the NPV Compact.
7. Achievability: a. The NPV Compact will have problems being passed because of the need for congressional consideration and the need for action by so many states. AGREE or DISAGREE. b. A constitutional amendment to establish the direct popular election of the President and the abolition of the Electoral College will continue to have problems being passed. AGREE or DISAGREE

Invitation

League of Women Voters of Louisville

“Lincoln’s 200^th Birthday Celebration”

Mr. & Mrs. Ed Hamilton

Ed Hamilton, sculptor of Louisville’s Lincoln Memorial

Guests of Honor

Congressman John Yarmuth

Metro Council President David Tandy

Special Guest

Mr. Paul Lenzi, Executive Director

Geraldine Ann Snyder, Artistic Director

Co-founders of Blue Apple Players

“Lincoln as a Boy”

Presentation

February 16, 2009 (Monday)

115 South Ewing Avenue – just off Frankfort Ave., Lou., KY

6:00 P.M. Dinner* $15.00 (1/2 cost + ½1/2 donation)

6:30 P.M. Program (no charge)

*RSVP  teenahal@aol.com  or 267-6883, www.lwvloisville.org