Last week, the trial over the Pennsylvania voter photo identification law started in state court. The proceedings are wrapping up today, and boy has the trial had some interesting moments!
There is more good news coming this week for women because of the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA). Beginning August 1st, millions of women around the country will be able to receive free preventive health care benefits. So, what does this mean in the day-to-day lives of women? A whole lot for their health!
This summer, the Membership and Leadership Development (MLD) program is providing training to local and state League leaders from nine states that are entering the program for the first time ever. After a wonderful financial out-pouring of support for the MLD program at the LWVUS Convention in June 2012, Cheryl, Carol, Kelly, and I (the League trainers for the MLD program) have been met with enthusiasm for the program and for the future of the League.
The News Hour, the New York Times and the Washington Post have all covered the Pennsylvania lawsuit challenging voter photo ID. Like the successful Wisconsin court challenge, the case in Pennsylvania involves the League of Women Voters and focuses on the state constitution.
Yesterday, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin (LWVWI) released a report on their work observing the recent recall elections. LWVWI worked with the nonpartisan Wisconsin Election Protection coalition to train 152 citizens as volunteer election observers at 421 polling locations for the June 5th recall elections. LWVUS’ own Jeanette Senecal, senior director of elections, went to Wisconsin to observe the recall election, and blogged about her observations.
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA) and other coalition organizations have sued the state of Pennsylvania in an effort to stop implementation of their voter photo ID law. The trial to decide whether Pennsylvania’s new voter photo ID law is allowed under its state constitution began today.
To ensure their vitality for the future, member-based organizations like the League of Women Voters must invest in themselves even as they continue to focus on the important work at hand.
The League does this through our Membership and Leadership Development (MLD) Program which helps local Leagues connect with their communities and become thriving, growing Leagues that can make (and have been making!) a big impact on our democracy.
As part of the LWVUS team that is going out this summer to train Leagues through the, Membership and Leadership Development program, which is designed to help strengthen the League as we power the vote, I am so inspired by the League leaders we're meeting who are passionate about protecting the right to vote and active in mobilizing citizens to take back the helm of our democracy.