The expression “Spring has sprung” has always had special meaning for me. Being born on February 2, known as Groundhog’s Day, as a child I watched my parents and grandparents use the Farmer’s Almanac to gain insights into the best time to plant crops in the fields on the small farm in North Carolina. February 2 was an important date that helped them determine if we would have an early or a late spring. Being in beautiful Southern California now, I enjoy the start of spring by noting the incremental increases of sunlight each day until the first day of summer.

The rollout Voting Solutions for All People (VSAP) during the Spring 2020 primary has planted results that will yield a bountiful turnout in the fall. All eyes were on us as this enormous system was put into operation for the first time on the days leading up to and including March 3. Were there glitches? You bet there were. However, it was a good trial run for the upcoming critical November election, especially if the L.A. County Registrar’s office works to correct many of the obstacles.

The LWV-PA Voter Services team, led by Martha Zavala, was on top of the issues and worked diligently to help in all of our service-area cities where possible. Those LWV members who were poll workers got a firsthand look at the new system and its viability for voters. (See the four-part series “LWV-PA on the Front Lines of the 2020 Primary” in this issue of the Voter to learn more.)

LWV-PA is now calling on you to nominate new leaders for our chapter for the 2020–2021 program year. We are asking more of our members to consider taking leadership roles in our chapter. The future of “making democracy work” in our country and in our region is up to all of us who support the work of LWV and are willing to do our part to push this movement forward. With the League of Women Voters entering its second century and with the hope of growing our activism, now is the time to plant the seeds that will grow the vote.

Yours in the movement,

Patricia A. Coulter