LWVL-DC Calendar

President’s message September 2024 Voter

Thanks to everyone who has been involved with League activities this busy election season! From all the donations received and treasures bought at the Annual Yard Sale, to all the volunteers new and old who have come out to tabling events, it’s been good to see so many of you in person this month. 

What a season it’s been. One of the important services the League provides is accurate information about where to vote and ways to vote. We are encouraging voters to return their mail-in ballots as early as possible because of delays in the U.S. Postal service that prevented around one thousand ballots from being counted in the August primary. Secretary of State Scott Schwab even wrote a letter to the Postmaster General registering his concern. 

Voting rights are also in the crosshairs at the federal level, where the Senate version of the House bill to fund the government contains an attached bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. Deja vu? Many of us remember the so-called “SAFE” act in Kansas, which did the same thing. Thanks to litigation from the League, Loud Light, and the ACLU, that act was struck down in federal court. 

So it’s important to stay vigilant about infringement on our voting rights from every quarter. It’s hard to say why our local League’s Facebook page was mysteriously suspended – allegedly for “impersonation” – but it sure smells funny. I appealed – no luck. I’m in contact now with staff at the national level who may be able to help. This has apparently been happening to some other League chapters around the country. We will update you as we have more information. For now, please find out about our upcoming events here through the Voter and through our website, lawrenceleague.com. 

cheers,

Sonja

League Fundraiser Benefits Scholarships and Kansas Suffragist Memorial

Our League’s annual yard sale fundraiser was September 7 and was hosted by League members Fahryn Hoffman and Chris White at their home.  It was a beautiful late summer day and a great setting for the event.  The success of the event is thanks to our hosts, to the many League members who brought their donated items early in the morning, and to the many League members who helped with the sale throughout the day.  We enjoyed being together in-person, and, though a yard sale is lots of work, it was also a delightful League gathering.

Yard sale proceeds fund our League projects.  A total of $250 of the proceeds of the yard sale added to our fund for our League’s 2025 Lawrence-Douglas County Scholarships which are awarded each spring to two Douglas County high school seniors. Additional proceeds from the yard sale totaling $1742 were donated to the Kansas Suffragist Memorial Fund.

Items that remained after the sale were donated to the Social Service League, Lawrence Public Library, and Goodwill. 

LWVK Seeks Secretary

The League of Women Voters of Kansas state board is looking for someone who would like to step up and fill the position of secretary. Please contact Teresa.Briggs@outlook.com for more information. 

Description of duties:

• Serves as the official recorder of LWVK business.

• In the absence of one of the Co-Presidents, co-signs (with one President) contracts and other instruments, if two signatures are required.

• Reports to the LWVK President(s).

Responsibilities:

1. Notifies LWVK officers and directors of their election.

2. Takes minutes of all LWVK Convention, Council, board and executive meetings.

3. Distributes minutes to LWVK Board members prior to the next meeting.

4. Assists President(s) in conducting meetings by reading notices, counting votes, knowing status of motions, and other help as requested.

5. Writes letters and notes when requested by the LWVK President(s) or Board. (eg. the Treasurer may request “Thank you” notes to donors.)

Lawrence Suffragists: A Walking Tour at Oak Hill Cemetery

Tuesday, September 24 and 25, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

The lives of suffragists in Lawrence are such a big story that we will take two nights to learn about them. The first night will introduce you to 11 women, including France Schlegel Carruth, Charles & Mary Langston, Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor, and Sarah A. Brown. On the second night, meet 11 more, including Kate Stephens, Charles & Sara Robinson, Genevieve H. Chalkley, and Lizzie S. Sheldon. A portion of registration fees will support the Kansas Suffragist Memorial mural at the Kansas State Capitol Building. Tour guide: Jeanne Klein. Fee: $27 (Locations TBA)

Register for Activity #727409 at Life-Long Learning, Parks & Rec https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flprd.org%2Factivity%3Fn%3D727409&data=05%7C02%7Ckleinj%40ku.edu%7Cff6c65810e7649f8501608dcb88aeb44%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638588154576984401%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DMbsp91uSI2bWnTjNsTgqboO2id079ZxXRtpZdhHL24%3D&reserved=0.

Questions? Contact Gayle Sigurdson, gsigurdson@lawrenceks.org or 785-832-7909.

Voter Services Update

League volunteers have been very active as we usually are during a presidential election year. Here are some of the recent events where we have tabled:

8/29 - Naturalization Ceremony at the Lied Center where we helped 41 new citizens register for the first time.  These NaturalizationnCeremony events are scheduled about once a year.  Go to the next one if you can.  It is inspiring. 

 9/5   - KU Volunteer Fair where we helped several out-of-state students request ballots so they may vote in their home state.

9/6  -  The Lawrence Beer Company’s birthday party 

 9/7  -  The League's annual garage sale to raise money for our high school student college scholarship fund and the suffragist memorial. We encouraged many people to vote.

September and October will continue to be extremely busy with Voter Services activities leading up to the November 5 general election.  Please join us for any of these remaining events.  Go to this website to sign up to help, or call Martha at 816-853-9474 or Charley at 785-312-2468.

9/14 - Art In The Park

9/15 - At Art In The Park

9/17 - At the Library for National Voter Registration Day

9/28 - Rev-It-Up Car Show at South Park.

10/23 - Out on the lawn at KU's Watson Library.

10/24 - Concert for Democracy at the Granada Theatre 

We will be at the Library 15 times on weekends 9/8, 9/14 & 15, 9/21 & 22, 9/28 & 29, 10/5 & 6, 10/12 & 13, 10/19, 20 & 21, 10/26 & 27.

We will be at 15 assisted living homes in Lawrence and 7 more in Baldwin City and Eudora.

We will be at 4 candidate forums at the Library alongside the NAACP, and at the Civic Engagement 101 series events (see flier below). 

We will be at 4 (or more) Farmer's Markets on Saturdays 9/21, 10/5, 10/19, 11/2.

–the Voter Services Co-Chairs (Charley Crabtree, Martha Silks, Fahryn Hoffman)