AMENDMENT ON AGE BIAS

AMENDMENT ON AGE BIAS

Proposed Amendment to Remove Age Bias

PROPOSED AMENDMENT ON AGE BIAS

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin (LWVWI) moves to amend LWVUS Bylaws Article III, Section 2A by striking "at least 16 years of age."

LWV of Wisconsin is proposing an amendment to eliminate structural age bias in the LWVUS Bylaws at the LWVUS 2022 Convention to strike the language, “at least 16 years of age,” from the definition of voting members. Successful adoption of the amendment will allow eligible individuals of any age to join the League with full voting rights. Our bylaws amendment will not be on the recommended list for Convention but you can still support it.

CURRENT LANGUAGE

LWVUS BYLAWS ARTICLE III, SECTION 2A

"Voting Members. Persons at least 16 years of age who join the League shall be voting members of local Leagues, state Leagues and of the LWVUS."

ATTEND OUR CONVENTION CAUCUS

LWVWI has scheduled a caucus at the LWVUS 2022 Convention,* The Case for Eliminating Structural Age Bias in the LWVUS Bylaws. Please rally with us on Friday, June 24, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM (MT), Plaza Bldg Concourse Level, Governor’s Square 15.  

Click the BOLD links below to learn more about this proposed amendment:

 OFFICIAL PROPOSED BYLAWS AMENDMENT - submitted to LWVUS on February 4, 2022 

RATIONALE STATEMENT - long-form rationale statement for the proposed amendment.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND - review past actions related to the proposed amendment.

PRESENTATION - The Case for Eliminating Structural Age Bias in LWVUS Bylaws, May 24, 2021. An LWVWI sponsored one-hour panel presentation explains the history and rationale for removing age criteria from the definition of a voting member in League and what it means to be in compliance - in principle and in practice - with the League’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy.

SUPPORT FROM OTHER LEAGUES - view a growing list of state and local Leagues throughout the nation that have officially endorsed and support the proposed amendment.

The following ADVOCACY MATERIALS are being developed in support of the proposed amendment and will be posted as they become available:

      • Fact Sheet
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Video Statements - view videos of youth and other advocates of the amendment voicing why it's important to welcome youth in equal partnership at the League's table. Here is a guide to help you record and submit a statement in support of the amendment on age bias. 

      • What Else Can You Do?

        Submit a Voting Rights Story story on the LWVUS website to share the positive impact this bylaws amendment change will have on League participation and sustainability and expose how failure to adopt the bylaws amendment will impact you and your League.

*The LWVUS 2022 National Convention will take place June 23–26, 2022 and will be a hybrid convention hosted at the Sheraton Downtown Denver in Denver, CO, and virtually online. To register and learn more about the LWVUS 2022 Convention, click here.

 

"Growing Future Voters" is the focus of this Leagues of Women Votes of Janesville and Beloit program. Kelly Beadle of CIRCLE (Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement), Janesville Clerk-Treasurer Lori Stottler, and young Rock County voters explain the importance of increasing and broadening the participation of young voters in elections.