| Last Call!
by Camille Taylor, Chair of Drinks and Dialogue
Drinks and Dialogue will host a discussion facilitated by ISU Professor Lane Crothers titled, “Election Decision Making: Fact or Emotion?”
Come to Gill Street Sports Bar at 3002B Gill Street on Wednesday, October 16, for a social hour from 5:30-6:00 pm and discussion from 6-7pm.
This timely discussion could help you gain more insight as the election soon approaches. We hope you can join us!
| | | Membership Renewal Time is Coming Nov. 1
by Beth Porter, Membership Chair
It’s membership renewal time. You will receive an email at the end of October to do this. The deadline to renew is December 31, 2024.
We are asking all our members to renew before the end of 2024. This will greatly help with upcoming changes to membership processes in late January and February. This year, in 2024, you will renew in the usual way; the new membership system will begin its rollout next year, as previewed in the August Voter.
Once you receive the email to renew, please follow the instructions in the email to renew. Please also fill out the interest survey and make any needed updates to your League profile while you are logged into the League website. The answers you provide will greatly help the League leadership know your interests.
| | County Auditor Referendum Update
by Laurie Bergner
Our League has been busy advocating for a YES vote on the referendum to eliminate the office of elected County Auditor. We are recruiting our own members to write letters to the editor and agree to put yard signs in their yards.
We have also joined three other groups to endorse the effort: the McLean County Citizens for Government Accountability, the McLean County Farm Bureau, and the McLean County Mayors Association.
| | | | A New Information Resource for Voters with Disabilities
LWV members help develop infographic
by Faith Russell
Voters with disabilities have available a new source of clear, concise information on the voting process and accommodations. The McLean County League of Women Voters is pleased to provide this resource so voters with disabilities are more confident in exercising their right to vote.
After reviewing the relevant federal and state laws and interviewing local election authorities, a team of League members developed a new infographic.
| | |  | Twenty Events in 2024
Voter Services blanket Twin Cities
By Chad Kahl
The Voter Services Committee decided at its February 2024 meeting to ramp up its voter engagement, information, and registration activities for the November general election.
Since then, we have participated in nearly 20 events!
We’ve been at public events: Bloomington-Normal Pridefest, Boys & Girls Club, Downtown Bloomington’s Farmer’s Market, and West Bloomington Revitalization Project’s Harvest Fest
We’ve been at colleges and universities: Heartland Community College, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Illinois State University
We’ve been at high schools: Bloomington High School, Normal Community West High School, and University High School
Thanks to all our volunteers! I hope I did not miss anyone. If I did, I apologize!
- Meg Backas, Georgi Baird, Angela Bonnell, Kyle Ciani, Tom Crumpler, Martha Everman, Sue Fish, Liz German, Matthew Hartman, Donna Hartweg, Diana Hauman, Chad Kahl, Alexis Kalish, Jean LaPaze, Kay Moss, Mary O’Brian, Carol Odekirk, Beth Porter, Julie Prandi, Cathy Pratt, Faith Russell, Jim Russell, Cindy Ruszkowski, Jodi Sherman, Barbara Simmons, Shay Simmons, Mark Swerdlik, Peggy Swerdlik, Phylis VerSteegh, and Laurie Wollrab.
| Be a Smartie With Vote411.org
by Beth Porter
This Halloween season, help educate adults visiting your doorstep or trunk-or-treat event as they supervise their children and give the adults a treat. It's a great way to help spread the word about Vote411.org to those in our community.
We've created a postcard that says Be a Smartie that anyone can print and hand out. It is sized to fit Avery postcards 3263, but it can be printed on plain card stock and then cut to size. It has a short message about Vote411.org and a QR code to go directly to the Vote411.org website. You can then use a favorite candy by the same "Smartie" name, as pictured above, to tape on the postcards and hand out to the adults.
If you wish, on the backside of the Be a Smartie postcard, you may print a message about how to join the League of Women Voters of McLean County and let them know what the League does.
Printing Instructions | Voting, Awards and LWV Information
September 24th meeting recap
by Colleen Reynolds
Matt Dietrich, public information officer for the Illinois State Board of Elections says disinformation and misinformation is the biggest threat to elections and democracy. Dietrich was the keynote speaker at the League's Membership Kick-off meeting and his speech, addressing election security myths and protections received coverage by our media partner, WGLT.
| | Free Speech; Lessons Learned
by Colleen Reynolds
Panelists at a free speech program at Illinois State University say what happens with free speech is important on college campuses. The speakers at "Lessons Learned from Freedom of Speech Concerns on Campus" say higher education is a place where students are taught critical thinking and should be encouraged to undertake deliberative dialogue.
A student activist along with leaders from the Central Illinois Chapter of the ACLU, Illinois State University Center for Civic Engagement, and Department of Politics and Government say fostering a culture of free speech and open dialogue is critical to developing citizens who will continue to raise constitutional issues with laws and policies in an ongoing effort that's needed to retain democracy.
| | | Monitor Air Quality
Our community can now easily monitor air quality with the new program BN-CARE. Three air quality monitors have been installed in areas that experience disproportionate pollution impacts--environmental justice areas. Check out the program and sign up for text alerts if you wish at www.bncare.org. | Other League Events
Hear Journalist Ari Berman speak on Friday, October 25 at noon sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Deerfield/Lincolnshire. He will talk about his new book, "Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People--and the Fight to Resist It."
Also on October 25 at noon, The National Institute for Civil Discourse and the League of Women Voters US are sponsoring a presentation on "Disagreeing Better -- It's Not Just Good Behavior, It's Good Politics!" Chagrai M. Weiss, Stanford University Polarization and Social Change Lab, will share research about how bipartisanship lowers animosity.
Register for Virtual Meeting | Important Election Dates
September 26 – Early Voting and Voting by Mail Begins
October 8 – Regular (paper) voter registration closes
October 9 – Grace Period Registration and Voting Begins
October 20 – Online Voter Registration closes
October 31 – Vote by Mail application deadline for receipt by election authority
November 4 – Last day for Early Voting
| Correction
Capitol Fools date change
The performance by the Capitol Fools at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts has changed to February 20th, 2025. Enjoy both sides of political satire by the group that was formerly the Capitol Steps.
| League of Women Voters of McLean County
P.O. Box 932, Normal, IL 61761
Email: info@lwvmclean.org
Web: lwvmclean.org | |