League of Women Voters of Monterey County
Dressed in white and marshaling ironing boards, a group of women and a few men will be stationed at Monterey County post offices on Tuesday, September 15th, evoking the work of the women's suffrage movement and celebrating National Voters Registration Day. The non-partisan group, the League of Women Voters of Monterey County anticipates a presence at as many as 14 United States Post Offices across Monterey County on that Tuesday, bringing along their voter registration tools to reach as many voters and prospective voters as possible during the mid-day hours.
Voter registration events such as these support the mission of the League of Women Voters. Founded nationally over 100 years ago, the League taught women how to participate in democracy following the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920 by which women gained the right to vote. It wasn’t until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that discriminatory practices limiting access to voting were banned and women of color could more easily vote.
Voter registration events throughout Salinas Valley were launched last spring, where voter turnout has historically been lower than in the Peninsula communities. Coordinators Jane Meade-Roberts of Salinas and Heather Visscher of Pacific Grove sought to bring voter registration opportunities directly to eligible voters and to encourage civic participation, provide helpful voting information, and dispel misinformation regarding voting practices. This effort included pre-registering 16 and 17-year olds, consistent with California law. These young people receive their ballots in the mail after their 18th birthday. During the spring primary election season, the group “tabled” at 62 locations and spoke with approximately 3,400 persons. During the fall General Election season, with a larger group of volunteers, they hope to reach more people.
“We want to be where people are, from Salinas to Soledad and King City and out to Marina and Seaside” said Jane Meade-Roberts. The League of Women Voters Co-President Tama Olver of Pacific Grove says of the effort “Even if we find that most people we see are already registered to vote, it’s important that we are there, out in the community, especially as national events are stirring up confusion and distrust in elections. Seeing friends and neighbors who believe in and support the process is critically important right now.”
Check out a Monterey County post office near you on September 15th from 11:00 - 2:00pm and register to vote!
For more information, please email LWVmryco [at] gmail.com and write “Attn: Heather” in the subject line.
