League of Women Voters South Tonka
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​Welcome to the
League of Women Voters South Tonka!
​

 We serve the southwest metro including
the communities of
Deephaven, Excelsior, ​Greenwood,
​Shorewood, Tonka Bay and Woodland.

​

LWV South Tonka Events


The Equal Rights Amendment -
​Why Does it Matter?

September 15, 2022

7:00 PM
Shorewood Community & Event Center 
5735 County Club Road,
Shorewood, MN 55331



​
Suzann Willhite, President of ERA MN will be our guest speaker and provide the history of the Equal Rights Amendment and the action steps needed for ratification.

She will provide the audience with:
  • History of the ERA
  • Current Status,
  • Why it Matters Now more than ever
  • Actions necessary to achieve success.

​There will be time for questions and discussion.
​

Free and Open to the Public. 

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Talking Points
LWV MN Study on Gun Safety

2022 Legislative Session Reap
With Kelly Morrison

About the League of Women Voters


​After decades of protesting to obtain women’s right to vote, The League of Women Voters was formed in 1919 following the ratification of the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.   


The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy.

We empower voters and defend democracy through 
advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.

Membership is open to all individuals 16 years or older. 


For more information: lwvsouthtonka@lwvmn.org

​

Candidate Meet & Greet
​October 6, 2022
5:00 - 7:30 PM


Shorewood Community & Event Center
​5735 County Club Road
Shorewood, MN 55331




The Candidate Meet & Greet is sponsored by the League of Women Voters South Tonka. 

Residents will have the opportunity to meet with and learn more about the candidates appearing on the ballot this November.

Candidates have been invited to set up a table, and display literature. 

The public will and have an opportunity to speak directly to their candidates regarding issues of importance to them.

This event is free and open to the public.

The LWV will also be able to assist anyone needing to register to vote or who needs to redo their registration due to address change or other circumstances.

No photos or videotaping will be allowed.


For more information: lwvsouthtonka@lwvmn.org


​Candidates Participating in this Event

​Candidate List

U.S. House of Representatives District 3
Dean Phillips - Representative
Tom Weiler

U.S. House of Representatives District 6
Tom Emmer - No
Jeanne Hendricks

MN Senate District 45
Kelly Morrison 
Kathleen Fowke - No

MN Senate District 48
Julia Coleman - Maybe
Dan Kessler

MN House of Representatives District 45A
Andrew Myers - Maybe
Lauren Bresnahan 

MN House of Representatives District 48B
Greg Boe - No
Lucy Rehm - No

Shorewood City Council
Nat Gorham
Dustin Maddy
Guy Sanschagrin
Sarah St. Louis

Excelsior Mayor
Todd Carlson - Representative
Peter J. Hartwich

Excelsior City Council
Jennifer Caron
Rob Tyler


Deephaven Mayor
Kent Carlson

Deephaven City Council
Tony Jewett
John Studer - Maybe

Tonka Bay Mayor
Adam Jennings

Tonka Bay City Council
Douglas Eckland
Kelly Wischmeier

Greenwood City Council
Tom Fletcher - Pamphlets
Rob Roy - Maybe

Woodland City Council
David Daniels - No
Hank Zucker - Maybe

Go to Vote411.org 
​Candidate and Voter Information
VOTE411 | League of Women Voters (lwv.org)

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Redistricting in MN 2021

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

Paul Huffman, Redistricting Coordinator for LWVMN 
​
Presentation to the LWV Leagues in South Tonka and Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Hopkins


paul_huffman_redistricting_presentation_2-25-21.pdf
File Size: 1946 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


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Voting Laws Roundup 2021 - Brennan Center for Justice


State lawmakers continue to introduce new restrictive voting provisions, and voter suppressive bills have begun to advance and become law.

In a backlash to 2020’s historic voter turnout, and under the pretense of responding to 
baseless and racist allegations of voter fraud and election irregularities, state lawmakers have introduced a startling number of bills to curb the vote.

As of March 24, legislators have introduced 
361 bills with restrictive provisions in 47 states. That’s 108 more 
than the 253 restrictive bills tallied as of February 19, 2021 — a 43 percent increase in little more than a month.

Brennan Center 2021 Report on Voter Suppression​
​
Alarming Trends

In addition to the hundreds of restrictive bills introduced for the 2021 legislative session, it’s worth calling attention to two particularly alarming trends.


In response to the momentum behind the federal For the People Act, six states have introduced nonbinding resolutions opposing the comprehensive democracy reform bill and urging Congress to reject it.

​Texas lawmakers have introduced two bills to bifurcate the voter registration process, such that the federal For the People Act would not apply to state voter registrations (TX HB 4366, TX HB 4507). They would create a two-tiered voter system that would confuse voters and be difficult to administer.
  • Arizona has advanced two bills that purport to prohibit policies (automatic voter registration and Election Day registration) that the For the People Act advances (AZ HB 2793, AZ HB 2811).
  • \The For the People Act applies only to federal elections; it would determine the rules for federal elections and trump any conflicting state rules that apply to federal elections, but it would not create policies for state elections.
  • After local election officials worked tirelessly last year to conduct elections during a pandemic and resisted substantial pressure to manipulate voting outcomes, state lawmakers are now taking aim at these local officials.
  • For example, Texas has introduced at least six bills that would penalize election officials. 
  • A Wisconsin bill (WI SB 204) would prohibit election clerks from sending absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots to voters who did not request them and create a felony offense for violation.
  • A Missouri bill (MO HB 1327) would threaten any local election official with loss of funding if they refuse to purge voters on their rolls that the secretary of state has called on them to remove.
  • And Iowa’s new law, IA SF 413, allows the state commissioner of elections to impose a fine on county election officials for any technical infraction, including failing to purge voters.


Voting Rights Restoration

Ten states have seen movement on bills to restore voting rights to people with past convictions. 
  • In Washington, HB 1078 — which would restore voting rights to more than 20,000 Washingtonians — now awaits Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature.
  • A New York bill, SB 830B, has passed the Senate and awaits a vote in the Assembly. The bill would codify in statute what the governor has been doing through executive action, restoring voting rights to New Yorkers with past convictions who are living in the community.
  • The Virginia legislature has taken the first step toward amending the state’s constitution to restore voting rights by passing a resolution (VA SJR 272) out of both chambers this year.
  • In Connecticut, CT HB 6578 would restore voting rights to everyone living in Connecticut’s communities (and codify automatic voter registration).




Talking Points:  ​Library of Educational Presentations


​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.

Council of Metropolitan Area Leagues
Livable Communities Program

Election & Voting 
with 
​Steve Simon

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

Elections & Voting Issues


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
​

​2019 MN Legislative 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. 


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

PROTECTING POLLINATORS

The LWV's Kay Erickson interviews Patricia Hauser, founder of Humming for Bees and Lex Horan, Organizer with Pesticide Action Network. 
Minnetonka Coalition for Equitable Education (MCEE) is a Minnetonka Schools student-led organization, supported by alumni friends & parents.

MCEE advocates for a more equitable education for all Minnetonka students through the district's adoption of the MCEE's 11 Imperatives.

This program was produced in-partnership between LMCC and the South Tonka League of Women Voters.
Copyright 2021

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.
​
​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


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

Kay Erickson is Chosen as Producer of the Year

​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:
​

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

​
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
​

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. 



​

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

"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. 


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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?
  • Learn the facts.  Read the latest LWV MN briefing paper "The Impact of Neonicotinoids on Honey Bees," and Pesticide Action Network's  fact sheet "Bee Decline in Minnesota."
  • Organize a meeting.  Talk to your local League about holding an LWV or public talk on bees. Visit www.LWVMNbees.org for  resources.
  • Shop for non-neonic plants.  Read "Ask B4 U Buy!" on how to shop for bee-safe plants and flowers.
  • Support "H.R.1284 - Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2015" legislation. Follow this link to find your elected officials.  
  • Read the LWVMN briefing paper, "The Impact of Neonicotinoids on Honey Bees." The effort involved three of our LWV-ST members who led a committee to write the paper and prepare an educational toolkit. Resources include a PowerPoint presentation, meeting templates, and other resources for local Leagues to educate their members and communities on the issue. All items can be found on the www.LWVMNbees.com website.




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.
​
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.
​
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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