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About the League of Women VotersAfter 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
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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
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Election & Voting
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Exploitation & Trafficking
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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 CounselingThe 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 CouncilThe LWV's Kay Erickson and Karen Schaffer interview Metropolitan Council members Jennifer Munt (District 3) & Katie Rodriguez (District 1).
WATER ISSUES with Gov. DaytonKay 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.
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Hope HouseLWV 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 VotersMN Votes - For Secretary of State voter & election information.
PRIVILEGES OF A REGISTERED VOTER
WHO CAN VOTE IN MINNESOTA? You must be:
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
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 ActionLWV 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:
Learn more about how LWV Minnesota adopts its positions. |
LWV Upper Mississippi River Region ILO - Information
Unsafe water, hope for the future, advocacy needed!
League Issues, Actions & Resources
Voting Rights"Your Vote Your Voice" LaunchThe 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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WaterUpper MIssissippi River Region ILOChapters 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:
See the Upper Mississippi River Region for more information. Bees & Pollinators
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?
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Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Association
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
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.
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!
