LWV Of Lawton

This story was originally published by TulsaPeople.

This year, Tulsa’s league of the nonpartisan nonprofit organization celebrates 100 years of encouraging informed and active participation in government and influencing public policy through education and advocacy, and leaders within the organization say its mission is as important as ever. 

From January – August 2023, state legislatures nationwide passed various bills into law. While following these developments, the League noticed several important trends around voting rights and election administration.

Almost 1 million immigrants became naturalized citizens in 2022, expanding the electorate significantly. During that time, 31 League volunteer teams across the country reported attending close to 800 naturalization ceremonies and registering over 37,000 New Americans to participate in our democracy — this represents just a small portion of our 750+ Leagues’ impact. 

This story originally aired on News on 6.

The League of Women Voters said approximately 70% of Oklahomans who are eligible to vote are registered, but they also said a small fraction of that number cast ballots on Election Day.

The coronavirus outbreak has caused disruption for redistricting reform in states where groups have attempted to use the ballot initative process to reform the redistricting process. 

The League of Women Voters of Oklahoma, as part of the People Not Politicians coalition, filed an initiative petition to end gerrymandering in Oklahoma.