Do you believe in a renewed focus on civics in public schools? In April, 2021, WJCC Schools Social Studies Coordinator, Steve Legawiec, shared with us the latest initiatives on teaching civics in our local schools. The 2020 elections were a major civics lesson for a lot of folks who do not follow politics carefully. As…
Civics 101: The FIGHT for VOTING RIGHTS IN AMERICA: Past, Present & Future
CIVICS 101 webinar #2Held on Tuesday, July 21 at 4 p.m. A good way to catch up on the context for Virginia’s changes to election laws and rules coming for the November election. How did voting rights in our Constitution evolve since 1787? What did our Founding Fathers envision about voting? What is the history…
Voting in Virginia
If everything goes right, voting is quick and easy – but there are laws, regulations, and election quirks that can mess you up. This includes some COVID-19 specific information, like what to put as your absentee vote by mail reason on the paperwork to request an absentee ballot. You can check your personal voter status…
General Assembly Results and Observations
Excerpted from a Voter Express article by Carol Noggle, Voter Protection Officer, State League of Virginia Yes, it was a “wild” General Assembly session, as one newspaper headline stated. All sorts of unanticipated drama involving constitutional officers, but the legislative process continued with the LWV-VA and others in attendance. Observers could see during floor sessions…
The April 2019 newsletter is here, & we’ve been busy!
Mary Schilling, President Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. While it’s easy to get discouraged these days, there have been some positive signs of responsible engagement in the challenging issues of the day. Our League consistently was well represented at the weekly Women’s Legislative Roundtables during General Assembly. Each week also included opportunities to meet with our…
Medicaid: Bridging the high cost of health care in Hampton Roads
Our votes affect health care policies, but what information are we missing to make solid decisions? The Virginia General Assembly just last year accepted the expanded Medicaid coverage offered by the Affordable Care Act; what is happening in our area to prepare for implementation, and how will this affect recipients of Medicaid and health care…
Action and Advocacy Interest Groups Are Underway
Linda Rice, Action and Advocacy Coordinator You can join one (or more!) of these groups! Become an interest group member to become more engaged with our League mission: Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy. At its October 3 meeting, the LWV-WA board adopted a policy presented by Action and Advocacy Coordinator Linda Rice to guide interest…
To Vote or Not to Vote
Mary Ann Moxon, Public Relations/Outreach Why do Americans choose to vote—or choose not to exercise that most basic right? And how do we as League members help to reduce the divide between voters and nonvoters? Mediocre voter turnout has become the trend in America despite warnings that “democracy is not a spectator sport.” Voter turnout…
W&M President Rowe praises civic engagement
William and Mary president Katherine Rowe was the featured speaker of our fall membership meeting. Read the Virginia Gazette Coverage here! William and Mary’s president tells the League of Women Voters she sees a bright civic future in today’s college students by Amelia Heymann aheymann@vagazette.com Katherine Rowe, president of the College of William and…
Absentee Voting: Final Countdown!
Absentee voting is great if you know you will be unable to vote because of a commitment on Election Day. Deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration, is Monday, October 15, 2018. Check your voter registration at the official state site. Deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to you is…