As we enter National Voter Education Week, Oct. 6-10, it is timely to consider how the right to vote is and has been an essential part of our democratic institution.
When America was founded in 1776, the colonies were under an authoritarian government that cared little about their welfare as long as the English Crown was earning revenue from them. Taxes and laws were enacted in England and imposed on a population that had no say at all. Our forefathers determined they did not want to serve a king — instead they felt the person in charge, the King in this case, should serve the people.
With much debate and discussion, they formulated the Declaration of Independence and then the Constitution to make the right to vote permanent and eventually extend it to all the citizens of the United States.
The League of Women Voters Utica-Rome Metro, along with other non-partisan organizations believe strongly in the right of the people to elect their own representatives. The Leagues’ missions are to protect voting rights, promote civic engagement, and educate the public.
To those ends we have a number of resources to provide voter education. Our website and Facebook sites contain information on issues that impact our voting rights, national and local elections ,as well as how to register, how to cast a ballot, what your rights are when it comes to voting, and how to join the League of Women Voters’ local chapter.
Vote411.org provides information on local, regional, state and national candidates, your polling place and information on registering to vote.
LWV Utica Rome also supports Students Inside Albany, a program of the NYS League of Women Voters, which gives high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to learn about state government and shadow their representatives for three days in Albany. This provides a greater understanding of how laws are brought to the floor and then passed, highlighting our democratic processes.
Some of the students sent by the local chapter went on to run for office themselves or became involved by working with their local representatives and governments. Applications come out in January and are available through the guidance counselors or civics teachers at the local high schools.
We also provide civics education and information on the importance of the vote to area high school students. A local presentation provides a host of basic information and students who are eligible can register to vote at the presentation so they are all set when elections occur.
The League believes not just in voting, but also in being an informed voter that knows the background of an issue. Voting is a right, but it is also a responsibility that requires some work on the part of the voter to make sure they fully understand the choices they make.
We are planning a get-together from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, at Swifty’s, 257 Genesee St. in Utica. Come join us for a drink or a bite to eat and learn more about the League, it’s work, and how you could be part of it.
We also are offering an educational session on plastic pollution at 10:15 a.m. on Nov. 15 at the Energy Zone in Utica. Be on the lookout for more information about that event to follow.
— Lu Blanchard, Utica, co-president LWV Utica-Rome
