Another Presidential Election Year—A Reminder of Our Mission
The letter reprinted below comes to us courtesy of Elsa Pendleton, who is compiling gems from the LWV-PA archives (the “perfect social distancing project,” as Elsa puts it). The letter invited candidates to participate in a public forum to educate the electorate, in the tradition of one of the League’s “prime directives.” Taking us back half a century to another turbulent time and another consequential election year, 1972 (the first presidential election, by the way, in which 18- to 21-year-olds would vote, thanks to the passage of the Twenty-sixth Amendment), this window on our past reminds us of the League’s essential role in making democracy work—both then and, perhaps even more urgently, now.
June 8, 1972
Dear _______ ,
Congratulations on your victory in Tuesday’s Primary election. We know you will be busy on your campaign for November and wanted to contact you as soon after your Primary victory as possible.
The League of Women Voters and the Pasadena Star-News are co-sponsoring an old-fashioned “Candidate’s Fair” on Saturday, November 4, 1972. This will be an all-day affair held at Beckman Auditorium on the Cal-Tech campus in Pasadena. The “Fair” will start at 10:00 AM and last until about 4:00 PM.
Our plans call for separate hourly candidate forums in the auditorium on this schedule:
11:00–12:00 AM Candidates for Congress—20th and 24th districts; 12:00–1:00 PM Candidates for Assembly—47th and 54th districts; 1:00–2:00 PM Candidates for State Senate—19th and 21st districts; 2:00–2:30 PM Candidates for Superior court Judge—office #6; 2:30–3:00 PM Candidates for County Supervisor—District #5; 3:00–4:00 PM Pros & Cons on ballot measures.
League procedures require that only candidates will represent themselves. Each session will be moderated and handled by experienced persons chosen by the League of Women Voters.
We also plan to provide tables outside the auditorium for candidates and their representatives. You may bring your literature and occupy the space for the entire “Fair” to give spectators a chance to discuss issues with your supporters on a continuous basis.
It is our intent to have the most successful “Candidates Fair” possible by getting a firm commitment on your participation by June 16th. Please write to JoAnn Fisher, League of Women Voters, 1321 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena, 91104, so we know you will be part of the program.
We will contact you further on final plans for this event and let you know more specifically of arrangements for your part of the day’s program.
Sincerely,
Chuck Cherniss, Co-Chairman, “Candidates Fair”
JoAnn Fisher, Co-Chairwoman, “Candidates Fair”
Letters sent to: Bill Richardson, David Ridenour, Frank Lanterman, Stanley Hart, John Binkley, Carlos Moorhead, Warren Dorn, Baxter Ward, Nancy Watson, James Nelson, John Collier, Roger Regnier, John Rousselot, Luther Mandell, John Harmer, and Samuel Rifkin.
