Not a day goes by that we are not reminded of this year’s general election; many are framing it as one of the most impactful in our lifetime. Can it be a coincidence that this is happening during the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution?

 

After decades of organizing, disappointments and protesting, the amendment was signed into law on Aug. 26, 1920, after the Tennessee state legislature became the 36th state to approve it, reaching the required three-fourths of states’ ratifications needed for it to become an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

 

It was not an easy journey. Women were beaten, arrested, spit on, characterized as unfeminine. The label of Suffragette was coined in 1906 in Britain as a way to deride women who were protesting by putting “ette” at the end of the word suffrage to minimize the importance (suffrage means “voting as a right rather than a privilege”). Also, not all women were supportive of the effort, with many feeling that it was not their place to get involved in politics.

 

But the women persevered; names such as Alice Paul, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Carrie Chapman Catt and Ida B. Wells were among the leaders beginning in the mid-1800s. While they did not always agree with each other on the tactics to use, they were all committed to the goal of securing their right to vote.

New York played a central role during this time. The 1st Women’s Rights Convention in 1848 was held in Seneca Falls. It was here where the “Declaration of Sentiments” was presented, creating the agenda of women’s activism. The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA), based in New York, was formed in 1869 with the goal of securing the constitutional right for women to vote, along with other women’s rights issues. And, while New York was not the first state to pass a law allowing women to vote (the first was Wyoming in 1869), New York state adopted it in 1917, three years before the national ratification.

 

In 1919, the League of Women Voters of New York State was founded, with the convention being held in Utica at the Hotel Utica. One hundred years later, there are more than 45 local chapters throughout New York State, as well as a national network with LWV chapters in every state. The League of Women Voters Utica-Rome is our local nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government.

 

As we debate, become informed, strategize, and advocate around the election, it is important that we do not take for granted the importance of our voting rights and the sacrifices those women made to be sure we are able to use our voice at the voting booth, in whatever form that “booth” takes.

 

In 1894 Susan B Anthony stated: ”...when we shall have our amendment to the Constitution of the United States, everybody will think it was always so, just exactly as many young people believe that all the privileges, all the freedom, all the enjoyments which woman now possesses always were hers. They have no idea of how every single inch of ground that she stands upon today has been gained by the hard work of some little handful of women of the past.”

 

New York State continues to address ways in which to expand access to voting. This includes online registration through the Dept. of Motor Vehicles website (https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application); early voting in primaries and general elections; allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to register (so that they will be ready to vote when they turn 18); and, just this year, automatic voter registration which is scheduled to take effect in 2023.

 

The members of the League of Women Voters Utica-Rome are available to provide information, guidance and advocacy towards good government. We have committed ourselves to promote ways for our voices to be those of civil discourse by listening and understanding, in order to rebuild public trust in the elections. Our website has many resources to get the latest updates, find out about our positions and learn how to get involved (www.lwvuticarome.org).

 

Do not take your right to vote lightly. Register ... stay informed ... ask questions ... get involved in policy discussions ...and VOTE!!!