How Does The League Select Issues for Emphasis?
In League, Program means the issues that we choose for concerted study, education and action at local, state and national levels. Program can include both education and action.
The Program Planning process is part of what makes the League a grassroots organization; each League member has the opportunity to influence the selection of issues where the local, state, and national League will focus time, talent and money.
Every two years, members of local Leagues engage in Program Planning. Based on the results of this, the Board of Directors makes recommendations to the biennial convention delegates about the program to be adopted for the coming two year period.
Mail-In Voting
One of the topics mentioned at Lively Issues was Mail-In Voting. On May 11, Fresh Air on NPR (National Public Radio) aired a podcast on this topic. It contains an interview by Terry Gross of Emily Bazelon author of the New York Times Magazine article "Will Americans Lose Their right To Vote in The Pandemic?" The interview covers many topics and the pros and cons of a mail-in vote. An example of several issues raised are:
- Cost -it is estimated it would take $4billon to run a mail in election while Congress has only allocated $400 million.
- Expenses- high speed scanners and secure drop off boxes
- Party Divisions about this type of election
- Voter Fraud
- Problems with the Postal System- Post Office has budget problems among other things.
- Electoral College and the Legislature
To hear more in-depth information, plus a discussion of Wisconsin's primary election in April, be sure to listen to Fresh Air's" podcast for May 11, 2020. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/381444908/fresh-air
Equal Rights Amendment
The US League of Women Voters email:
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Last week, the U.S. House successfully passed a bipartisan resolution removing the ratification deadline on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Now our fight moves onto the Senate, where an identical bipartisan resolution is ready to move forward.
There is more to do to get this across the finish line. Reach out to your Senator now and urge them to support legislation to remove the ERA’s ratification deadline.
When the ERA passed Congress in 1972, lawmakers attached a 1977 ratification deadline to it, which they later extended to 1982. Legislation introduced by Senators Cardin and Murkowski will remove the deadline and the final obstacle to accepting the ERA as part of the U.S. Constitution. This legislation has been passed by the House. Now, the Senate must act so the states' efforts are not done in vain.
There should be no time limit on equality.
This is our moment and the perfect way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women earning the right to vote. It is time for Congress to remove the ERA deadline and make this amendment a reality!
Despite the significant legal and legislative advances that have been made in recent decades, women continue to face discrimination on the basis of sex. We continue to battle against unequal pay, workplace harassment, pregnancy discrimination, domestic violence, and limited access to comprehensive healthcare. It is not enough to treat the symptoms; we must address the root cause of inequality by amending the Constitution.
The country has spoken and declared equality under the law is a principle we want to be enumerated in our constitution. We are on the cusp of a victory for this almost 100-year fight. Congress must do the work to eliminate the timeline, so that this long-awaited amendment can go into effect immediately.
