1. How did the League of Women Voters get started? Nationally the LWV began in Feb. 1920, six months before the passage of th e19th amendment, as a natural continuation of the suffrage movement-believing that once women had the vote they'd need to learn how to use it well. Cincinnati formed their branch August 26th 1920, with Martha Bowers Taft as the first president. Immediately, LWVCA sought political action to provide federal funds for maternal and child health care. Still today the league maintains its tradition of making our democracy work through education and advocacy.
-Ann Applegate-Katz, LWVCA Director Membership
2. The League bills itself as non-partisan and yet politically active.
How do those two elements work together? The choice made in 1920 to neither support nor oppose any political party or candidate for public office continues today to ensure that the League's voice is heard above the tumult of party politics. The nonpartisan policy is key to the LWV's reputation and adds strength to the League's position on issues. It makes possible wide acceptance of and participation in League voter service and other educational activities. It enables Leagues to hold respected, thoughtful candidate forums in which all eligible candidates participate, to hold balanced forums, and to bring different or opposing views together for true dialogue and discussion. At the same time, the League is a political organization and encourages members to participate fully in the party of their choice (as long as the individual does not represent the League publicly). It is an advantage to the League to have politically active members and, equally important, it can be a personally satisfying experience.
-League of Women Voters of the United States "President's Packet"
Our mission is two-part: promote citizen involvement AND promote good public
policy. Both require us to be politically active in different ways.
-Rina Saperstein, LWVCA President
3. Why do you think the majority of registered voters in America don't
turn out to cast their ballots?
A fascinating study by the LWV of Chicago found that voting is only one part of a continuum of civic engagement. We have to look beyond the short-term registration and Election Day turnout to promote a sense of engagement and understanding in our communities. We don't have a culture that promotes or congratulates taking time to get involved. These days it is considered rude in some circles to discuss politics, and when politics are discussed publicly it is often polarizing, divisive, simplistic, angry and, well,
unkind. So folks want no part of it. They don't see models of discussing the issues in thoughtful ways, of gathering information and making choices and taking responsibility for those choices. They see government as something "other" - not a part of their life and not something they want a part of. They see politics (handicapping the race) rather than policy (decisions about how our governments can best serve the community). They believe big money controls outcomes more than the democratic process. So, no
wonder they don't vote. We have to find a way to change this - and it doesn't start with voting, though it may end there.
-Rina Saperstein, LWVCA President
4. Is the League of Women doing anything to increase voter registration
and turnout?
LWVUS was a big proponent of Motor Voter and HAVA laws to encourage and simplify voter registration. And at state and national levels we continue to work through advocacy and through lawsuits to strike down barriers to voting. For example, we argue against multiple and complex ID requirements that discourage low income and young voters who are most mobile and least likely to have current address IDs. Often these requirements have more negative impact in discouraging legitimate voters than positive impact in preventing fraud. At the local level, we provide training and assistance and volunteers for voter registration drives at all kinds of public events. This time of year,
our speakers bureau does a lot of group meetings explaining how to use voting equipment and why it is important to vote. I'd like to believe that our emphasis on clean politics, good public policy and clear information also gives people an incentive to get involved.
-Rina Saperstein, LWVCA President
5. What would you say to someone who says they don't go to the polls
because they don't think their vote makes a difference?
Well, we all remember the last two presidential elections, when a few votes in a few states made a difference. Just last fall, Democrats took control of the Senate by the slimmest of majorities, 51 seats to 49, and in three states -- Missouri, Montana, and Virginia -- the incumbent was defeated by a margin of less than one percent. In each, by the way, the difference in votes cast between the major party candidates was less than what a third-party candidate got. Right here in Ohio's Second Congressional District, the Republican candidate won in a very tight race. So, just one vote here and there really can make a difference.
One of the biggest threats to our democracy is uncompetitive elections, and part of the solution has to be increased voter turnout. Nationwide, less than 40% of eligible voters turned out for congressional races last year. We should remember that power starts at the grassroots, and that each of us has complete control over our own vote. The mission of the volunteers at the League of Women Voters is to promote the informed participation of all citizens in our government.
- Marjorie Davies, LWVCA President Elect
6. How can voters use the League's website to help them make their
choices?
If you go to www.lwvcincinnati.org, and click on the "Voting" page, you'll find a series of documents on "How to pick a candidate," "How to choose a judge," "How to watch a debate". You'll also find the Smart Voter lookup box: put in your address and you'll get your personalized ballot for your neighborhood and district races. Each page of Smart Voter information includes the candidate's own answers to questions about his or her
priorities and how he or she will implement them, as well as qualifications, lists of endorsers and biographical information. We also link to news sources, articles and websites about each candidate and race, so you can use the Smart Voter page as a starting point to deeper investigations about a candidate or issue that interests you.
-Rina Saperstein, LWVCA President
7. Is the League doing anything to gear up for the 2008 Presidential
election?
Well, sure! Every LWVCA member is also a member of the League of Women
Voters of Ohio and the League of Women Voters of the US. LWVUS participates
in coalition with other organizations to advocate for good poll worker training, election administration and campaign finance reform so that elections are fair and clean in every state. And at the local level, we are participating in a Debate coalition led by the University of Cincinnati and the Regional Chamber of Commerce to invite the Presidential or Vice-Presidential debates to Cincinnati. We're also fundraising now to pay for our voter guide and for the expensive electronic ballot website for the primary and general elections in 2008. And we're actively recruiting new member volunteers to help with voter education and get-out-the-vote efforts next year- so give us a call if you are interested.
-Rina Saperstein, LWVCA President
8. What is the biggest problem with the American democratic system?
One of the big problems with democracy today in America is the harmful role of big money in politics - large campaign contributions by wealthy donors and special interests. Most candidates are forced to put much of their time and energy into asking for funds from wealthy individuals and organizations instead of working and meeting with voters on issues. Big donors and special interests receive more access to candidates, both before and after elections. The voices of ordinary citizens get drowned out. Because of this situation, more voters are becoming apathetic about elections. Fewer interested voters spells trouble for democracy which depends on an informed
and involved public.
- Alice Schneider, LWVCA Director, Public Relations
9. What is the best feature of the American democratic system?
Everybody gets to participate if they want to, at the level that they want to: from voting to supporting an issue or candidate to actually serving in government. Our system is a delicate dance balancing competing interests and levels. Federalism - the mix of local, state and national politics - is key. Through representative democracy, we also balance the "tyranny of the majority" with a protection of the issues, interests and contributions of minority voices.
-Rina Saperstein, LWVCA Pres.ident, and Jeff Davis, LWVCA Member
10. What is the most pressing issue on the Hamilton County ballot this
November?
Oooh- they are all important for different reasons, and it would be a League no-no for me to pick out one. We have important local council races in most of our municipalities and townships, school board races, judges, and tax levies. These "offyear" local races don't get as much media attention as national and state races in even years, but they have as much or more impact on our daily lives. I can tell you the LEAST pressing issue: Ohio Issue 1. The courts found that the petition drive for Issue 1 did not get enough
signatures to qualify for the ballot. But the ballots were already printed, so the votes on that one won't count.
- Rina Saperstein, LWVCA President
11. Which is better... a paper ballot or an electronic ballot?
We like both- in combination. It's an issue of checks and balances. In any financial or bookkeeping system, you do the same- electronic calculations and a paper trail. Electronic counting assures that the count is quick and accurate, while a paper ballot produced by the voter or as a receipt from the machine assures that there is lasting documentation for a recount and for spot checking the results against something tangible. Electronic machines allow voters with disabilities or reading problems to vote
independently and privately. The paper form allows for widespread absentee and early voting and cuts down on the lines on Election Day. The new electronic scanners of a paper ballot also prevent overvoting- where a voter's choices didn't count because he accidentally voted for too many candidates. This was a tremendous problem in the last City Council elections; with the new system, we hope overvoting won't occur any more.
Our Hamilton County Board of Elections has moved forward tremendously in four years by getting rid of the punchcard methodology and we congratulate them. We have the technology to make the best of a combination of paper and computer screens.
- Rina Saperstein, LWVCA President
12. Tell us about election day... are your members excited or
exhausted?
I think it would be more accurate to describe a League member as "satisfied" on Election Day. In preparation for an election, the League is heavily involved in various forms of voter education. We prepare and publish our highly-regarded "Who and What of Elections" prior to each major election, and that involves an enormous amount of work. Coupled with that is our local League website (www.lwvcincinnati.org) with its Smart Voter personalized voter information. Often we sponsor or co-sponsor one or more
public forums or debates dealing with candidates or issues. This fall we are collaborating with four other organizations and CET to present an educational program focusing on the Comprehensive Safety Plan or "sales tax" issue, cosponsoring a school board forum and hosting a candidates night in the Wyoming. In addition, our office volunteers answer countless questions from voters who call us for information. So, when Election Day arrives, we really are more satisfied than anything else because we know we've been of assistance to countless voters in our community. It's a good feeling!
-Don Rhoad, LWVCA Vice President, Program
