Educate - Advocate - Empower
100 Years & Counting on You!
Consider Donating to Keep the work of the LWV Strong
​

Welcome to the
League of Women Voters South Tonka!

 We serve the communities of
Deephaven, Excelsior, ​Greenwood, Minnetrista, 
​Shorewood, Tonka Bay and Woodland.
​
All individuals 16 years or older are welcome to join or attend our events.
​

​LWV is a nonpartisan organization, promoting democratic ideals for 100 years

​Consider becoming a member today and having your voice heard!​

Virtual Mayors Forum
Held April 9, 2020
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A virtual Mayors Forum was held on April 9, 2020 with the mayors from Excelsior, Greenwood, Minnetrista, Shorewood and Woodland participating on the Zoom call produced by the Lake Minnetonka Cable Commission. 

The mayors discuss how they are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as highlighting city and community projects and their working together to enhance our communities.

Chris Teitz, President of the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce also spoke on how the pandemic is affecting small business owners and how the communities and the Chamber are responding to help.

To watch the Mayors Forum click here: Virtual Mayors Forum

The LWV South Tonka and  the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce sponsored this annual Mayors Forum.

Elections & Voting Issues

We encourage Minnesotans to show support for their preferred candidates by participating in the candidate endorsement caucus process that leads up to the state party conventions.

For more information click here:  https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/how-elections-work/precinct-caucuses/

LWV South Tonka
​Member Meeting
Like the LWV South Tonka on Facebook

Talking Points
Kay Erickson

With
​Steve Simon, MN Secretary of State
Susan Brower, MN State Demographer
​Paul Huffman, LWV MN Minnetonka Communication Commssion

The LWV South Tonka is proud to present Talking Points.  Kay Erickson presents timely information on the upcoming Presidential Primary and  Census and Redistricting.​

To watch the video click here: Presidential Primary & Census
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Census & Redistricting Reform

Gerrymandering is the manipulation of voting maps. It distorts and undermines representative democracy by allowing politicians to select their voters rather than allowing voters to select their elected representatives.

  • The 2020 census survey will attempt to count every person who resides in Minnesota.
  • Minnesota uses the census to secure full political representation, fair federal funding, and accurate data for government and business planning.
  • Minnesota might lose an Electoral College vote and representation in the U.S. House of Representatives if we do not get a full and accurate count.
  • April 1, 2020 is Census Day, but the U.S. Census Bureau will solicit census survey responses and verifications from March 2020 through September 2020.

People Powered Fair Maps™ Action Kit to implement a plan to engage and educate the public and to influence policymakers to implement an independent, nonpartisan approach to drawing congressional and legislative maps.



LWV MN Census Information
People Powered Fair Maps
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LWV South Tonka Information & Events

Calendar of Events

For LWV South Tonka Information

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If you are interested in the League of Women Voters or any of our events, Please CONTACT US for more information.
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Talking Points Focus
Services and Supports for Youth in Our Area


​Since early spring, members of the LWV - SouthTonka have been speaking to a variety of knowledgeable State, County, School and Service Providers in our suburban area to understand the service needs and services provided to our youth.

​We are sharing the information we have gleaned in our Talking Points, videos produced in collaboration with the Lake Minnetonka Communications Corp. 

See the Talking Points interviews below and find information regarding youth services in our area.

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LWV South Tonka Presents: Talking Points ​


​Hope you enjoy these excellent videos hosted by current LWVST and former LWVMN president Kay Erickson. 
These videos are produced in partnership with the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission (LMCC). 
If you have ideas for future broadcasts or would like to be involved in production, please contact us.

​2019 MN Legisltuve Session Recap

​Kay Erickson interviews MN State Representative Kelly Morrison (District 33B).   ​


​TreeHouse

         
The LWV South Tonka's Kay Erickson and Peg DuBord interview Josh Ganados, Area Director at Minnetonka

​TreeHouse.

TreeHouse brings hope to youth at risk and helps families, leading to life transformation. 

PROTECTING POLLINATORS

The LWV's Kay Erickson interviews Patricia Hauser, founder of Humming for Bees and Lex Horan, Organizer with Pesticide Action Network. 

Kay Erickson is Chosen as Producer of the Year

Exploitation & Trafficking
our Youth in Jeapardy

Strengthing MN Democracy
​March 2019


​Steve Simon, Secretary of State

Nick Harper, Director of Civic Engagement - LWV MN

Your Voice
Your Vote

Kay interviews Secretary of State Steve Simon about voting in Minnesota, and talks with state League members about a new LWVMN project, "Your Vote, Your Voice," which focuses on past, present, and future voting rights

Relate Counseling


​The LWV South Tonka's Kay Erickson & Peg DuBord interview Sandy Mangle, Clinical Supervisor/Therapist at Relate Counseling Center in Minnetonka, MN.

Risks for Teen Suicide

This program was produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters - South Tonka and the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission (LMCC).

Met Council

The LWV's Kay Erickson and Karen Schaffer interview Metropolitan Council members Jennifer Munt (District 3) & Katie Rodriguez (District 1).

WATER ISSUES with Gov. Dayton

Kay interviews Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton on his "Year of Water Action Initiative," and speaks with Gretchen Sabel, chair of the LWV UMRR ILO which focuses on issues affecting the upper Mississippi River region.

Hope House

LWV South Tonka interviews Pam Langseth from Open Hands Foundation and Richard Coffey from 180 Degrees about Hope House, an emergency shelter and treatment program for teens in crisis.
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​Homeless Youth

Hope House is a six-bed emergency shelter for youth ages 14 – 19 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the Southwest Twin Cities metro area. Hope House turns young people’s lives around by nurturing self-sufficiency and independence, with a goal of family reconciliation and reunification.​

Southwest LRT


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​LWV South Tonka member Kay Erickson interviews Metropolitan Council Member Jennifer Munt (District 3) on the proposed Southwest LRT project.
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​League of Women Voters - Minnesota

State League Resources

​Local Leagues = Grass Roots Power

Voting Resources for MN Voters

MN Votes - For Secretary of State voter & election information.

PRIVILEGES OF A REGISTERED VOTER
  • May vote in National, State & Local Elections
  • May hold elected and appointed public office
  • May sign legal petitions
  • May become a political party precinct delegate
  • May decide the outcome of an election

WHO CAN VOTE IN MINNESOTA?
You must be:
  • A U.S. citizen
  • At least 18 years old on Election Day
  • A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
  • Finished with all parts of any felony sentence
  • You can vote while under guardianship unless a judge specifically has revoked your right to vote.
  • You cannot vote if a court has ruled that you are legally incompetent.

REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE

Voters may register at the polls on election day

HOW TO REGISTER ON ELECTION DAY

NEED TO RE-REGISTER TO VOTE
  • Name or address change
  • Have not voted for over four years

Information on candidates and issues on your ballot:
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MY BALLOT FINDER

For More Information:
Contact your local city administration for local election information or the Secretary of State website for more information MN Secretary

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LWV Minnesota provides many resources for members and the Public to become updated and informed on the latest issues.

Take Action with LWV Minnesota
Subscribe to Action Alerts to know where Bills are in the Legislative Process.

Subscribe to the Capitol Letter to keep up-to-date on Legislative Activity.

Like - the LWV Minnesota’s Facebook page here.

To subscribe to The Voter – Virtual Edition, to get updates from both State & Local Leagues

The most respected and valuable way to get your Legislators Attention is to write them a personal letter.

Sign up to receive any or all or the above emails: Subscribe Here
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Program for Action


LWV Minnesota's positions on public policy issues are called its Program for Action. 

LWV Minnesota takes positions on a broad range of issues. Because LWV Minnesota is part of LWV United States, it automatically adopts all positions within the LWC US Impact on Issues 2018-2020

LWV Minnesota has also adopted state-specific positions as well, which you can read in our Program for Action

LWV Minnesota adopts positions based on careful study and consensus. To adopt a position, members must conduct sanctioned studies on an issue for a two-year period.

The recommendations from the study are brought to the larger body for a vote, and if approved, become part of the official positions supported by LWV Minnesota. 

The positions formed through our study process are the basis of our advocacy work. Local LWVs may also adopt positions at the local level relating to local issues.

While League of Women Voters never supports a particular candidate or party, members do advocate for our adopted positions to any/all political bodies that are necessary to achieve the positions stated in this document.

Program Action Topics include:
  • Immigration
  • Public Education
  • Health & Housing
  • Natural Resources
  • Judicial Selection & Independence

Learn more about how LWV Minnesota adopts its positions. 
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LWV Upper Mississippi River Region ILO - Information


​Unsafe water, hope for the future, advocacy needed!
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 League Issues, Actions & Resources

Voting Rights

Overall, at least 99 bills to restrict access to registration and voting have been introduced in 31 states. Thirty-Five such bills saw significant legislative action (meaning they have at least been approved at the committee level or beyond) in 17 states. Read the latest updates to the roundup compiled by The ​Brennan Center for Justice HERE. 

"Your Vote Your Voice" Launch

The LWV MN website "Your Vote Your Voice" is designed to be used as a resource for all to understand the past, present and future of voting rights.

The site houses a wealth of content exploring the long history of voting rights in the U.S. and invites students to help create ideas to improve participation. The goal is to encourage students to get active in local politics.

The site is the result of a collaborative effort between LWV MN, many volunteers, and 11 partner organizations who helped contribute content. 

Water

Upper MIssissippi River Region ILO

Chapters of the League of Women Voters in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin have formed an Inter League Organization (ILO) to work collaboratively to study the issues surrounding the Upper Mississippi River Region's water quality. The ILO was formed to increase the clout and efectiveness of the LWV's work on natural resources by: 

  • Developing educational programming to increase the public’s understanding of the natural resource issues in the region. 
  • Coordinating advocacy efforts across state lines and in numerous congressional districts to promote the collective interests of the region before Congress and the federal agencies.  
  • Monitoring local, state, regional, and federal proposals that affect the interests of the region, distributing that information and making recommendations to the appropriate state or local LWVs for action.   

See the Upper Mississippi River Region
​
for more information.

Bees & Pollinators

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LWVST supports the work of local non-profit Humming for Bees in their effort to educate others on the issues affecting our pollinators. Visit their website for more information and to see how you can create a Bee Safe Yard!

How Can You Support Bees?

Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Association

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​September 8, 2019 will mark the centennial for the State of Minnesota to ratify the so-called 'Anthony Amendment,' receiving approval from both the House and Senate on the first day of a special session on September 8, 1919.  In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution received approval from three-fifths of the states and the right to vote was extended to women.

Minnesota was the 15th state to ratify the Anthony Amendment

The Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Association (TPSMA) is building a national memorial to American suffragists – with a special focus on those imprisoned at Occoquan, VA, who endured harsh conditions and abuse to win voting rights for American women. The memorial will honor these brave women and provide awareness and education about how their courage, methods and commitment led to the passing of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Our goal is to see a memorial built and fully operational by 2020, the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which will be built the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority’s Occoquan Regional Park. To learn more about the memorial:  Turning Point Suffragist Memorial.

With your help, we will educate, inspire, and empower present and future generations about the struggle to gain voting rights for women.  You can help by sharing our website with your members in your newsletter or on your website connect to our link, have a speaker on suffrage, read about suffrage history, or hold a local event.
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As a member of the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Association (TPSMA) National Board representing Minnesota, I believe you will agree, we owe these women the honor of a National Memorial.  If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me.
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Respectfully,
Tom Mortenson
TPSMA National Board Member
1252 Lake Avenue
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
internetmort@yahoo.com

 P.S. My grandmother was a Suffragist in Wisconsin ​

LWV SOUTH TONKA MISSION STATEMENT:

LWV South Tonka is a welcoming, non-partisan, issue-oriented community organization that
​advocates, educates and encourages informed and active participation in all levels of government.

Educate                Advocate                Empower

Like what you see?  Consider becoming a member today and having your voice heard!
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League of Women Voters South Tonka