It’s impossible to escape the fact that a major national election is taking place in a matter of days.
Never-before-seen levels of early voting in states around the country has already happened, which means the 2020 election is on track for record breaking levels of voter turnout.
While there is so much about American life in 2020 that will be recorded in the history books, one moment that weighs on me is the 100th anniversary of a woman’s right to vote.
It’s stunning. Only a few generations ago, women were barred from participating in the most democratic activity — the self-determination guaranteed in the Constitution. I am in awe of the women who braved criminal prosecution and social condemnation to ensure that I can vote today.
Because of suffragists, an entirely new level of voter education and public debate was created, including the founding of the League of Women Voters.
The League is a non-partisan nonprofit that has doggedly fought to bring unbiased information to the fore so the electorate can make informed decisions without partisan spin. The League also has a history of reducing voter suppression and increasing civic engagement.
At this time of political rancor, the mission, vision, and value of the League of Women Voters is welcomed:
Mission
Empowering voters. Defending democracy.
Vision
We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.
Value
We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy.
With more than 700 chapters of the League, localized ballot information is readily available. The Ohio Chapter has voting information in six languages, a link to track your absentee ballot, detailed information on judicial races, meet the candidate forums, calls for advocacy, and content designed to teach and inspire.
Two issues before residents in Columbus are Issue 1 for Electric Service Aggregation and Issue 2 for a Civilian Police Review Board. For each, the League provides an easy-to-understand summary with a list of pros and cons. The League does not take a stand; rather, its mission is to provide factual information so that the voter can take a stand.
What a welcome respite.
There is much about 2020 that I do not want to celebrate, but the legacy of the women who came before me and the mission of organizations like the League of Women Voters is something to cherish. Here’s to well-informed voting in their honor.
Article by: Kerri Laubenthal Mollard, Founder & CEO
