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Date: 8/20/2024
Subject: The Voter August 2024
From: League of Women Voters of McLean County


August 2024
Calendar of Events             
 

Hello ~~first_name~~,

We hope you enjoy the August 2024 edition of The Voter. 

 

We're introducing a new format for The Voter. It is more like an online newspaper. It will allow us to have more content and longer stories. Now when you read The Voter, the newsletter content will fit the screen size available, whatever your device, just like the News Blast. 

 

We hope you like it! If you have comments, please send an email to info@lwvmclean.org.
See You in September!
Our Annual Kick-off Meeting
 
Usher in Fall with the League annual kick-off event on Tuesday, Sept. 24, for an informative dialog about misinformation and election security. Meet Matt Dietrich from the Illinois Board of Elections. He is extremely knowledgeable about how the Board of Elections works with local, state and national entities to help keep our elections safe. Plenty of time for Q&A. Bring a friend!
 
Reserve a Seat at the NAACP 2024 Freedom Fund Gala League Table

There are seats available for you and your guests for the NAACP gala, to be held on Sept. 21, 6:00 PM, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington. A table has been reserved by the League; your registration fee will be paid to the League for the event.

Representative Carol Ammons, Urbana, is the featured speaker. She is a seasoned and dedicated public servant. She is currently in her fifth term representing the 103rd District in the Illinois General Assembly. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the first African American elected to champion the interests of the 103rd District.
 

Call for Florence Fifer Bohrer Award Nominations


This award is given yearly to an individual or couple who exemplify the spirit of Florence Fifer Bohrer for their generous and selfless commitment to our community and others. You can submit a nomination by clicking on the nomination form link below by Sept 10. The award will be presented at our Sept. 24 meeting (see above). 
 
 
Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What Can We Do About It
LWVIL Mis/Disinformation Series
by Faith Russell

We're all susceptible to misinformation, often spreading it unknowingly. While stopping it entirely is impossible, we can learn how deception works, recognize the signs, and empower ourselves.

Join LWVIL and Illinois public libraries for a Sept. 19 virtual talk with Professor Dan Simons, co-author of Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do About It. This is the next in the LWVIL Mis/Disinformation task force educational series.
 
Event Details & Registration
Coming in 2025 ~ New League Membership Model 
by Beth Porter
 
The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) is switching to a new membership model and online portal for all Leagues across the country. There is no action that members need to take right now, but we want to provide you with an overview of what these changes mean for you.

This new system is expected to increase membership around the country and increase our ability to empower voters and defend democracy. A consistent, single system of membership across the League is expected to reduce financial barriers to joining, create an equitable division of dues between League levels, and simplify the mechanics of joining the League.

This year, in 2024, you will still renew in the usual way. You will receive an email reminder about your pending renewal from our local league mailbox late in the year, and then submit your renewal at the rates as managed by our local league.

When the new system launches in January 2025, you will receive an email to log in to the LWVUS membership portal. Once you can access the portal, you can update your contact information. However, you will not be asked to renew again until a year after your most recent renewal. You will be given the option to sign up to auto-renew annually, and your membership will last a year after your last renewal.
 
Live from McLean County -- Vote411

The League Vote411 will go live in mid-September! The third year of our online voter guide will be available for the general election in both English and Spanish!

Vote411 is the state-of-the-art voting information tool. By offering this tool to our voters in McLean County, we are ensuring they have access to the most comprehensive and up-to-date information to make informed choices. Vote411 is user-friendly, available across all devices, and mobile-responsive.

Vote411 continues our rich League history of providing voters with non-partisan, factual, and trusted electoral information.

To use Vote411, simply visit VOTE411.
Election Judges Needed
 
Want to become an election judge in the City of Bloomington or McLean County? Looking to help our fellow citizens cast their ballots and participate in our democratic process?

The City of Bloomington Election Commission and the McLean County Clerk's Office are looking for volunteers.

More information, including qualifications, pay, and applications can be found at:
 
 
If you have any questions, contact Chad Kahl at voterserviceslwvmclean@gmail.com
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
Survey Says
Member Survey Findings to Guide Newsletter Improvements
 by Diana Cristy
 
Many thanks to the 32 members (24% of active members) who took time in April to complete our local league publications survey! Your input was invaluable, and is shaping changes and refinements. The “look and feel” of The Voter you are reading here is a part of those changes.

We asked members about how often they read newsletters and on what devices, and about satisfaction with topics, content, and readability. They also offered suggestions to make our publications more valuable.

Members said they are largely satisfied with publication frequency, content and readability. You said you value events and issues information most. Among the suggested improvements are: more voter services activities information, more advance notice about events and calendar information, and reports from our observer group.

Based on survey findings, we plan to send you our local league publications three times a month. You can expect one edition of The Voter each month. You’ll receive the News Blast about twice a month with shorter, time-sensitive information that can’t wait until the next Voter.
 
From Our Mailbox
Bloomington Public Safety & Community Relations Board Special Session
 
The League received an invitation via email to a special meeting of the City of Bloomington Public Safety and Community Relations Board (PSCRB) on August 28, 6 p.m., at the Bloomington Public Library Community Rooms.
 
From the mailing: "The meeting's sole agenda item is dialogue with the Bloomington Police Department regarding the Sonya Massey murder and police procedure...The dialogue session is part of the PSCRB's charge to engage and solicit feedback from the community on matters surrounding police procedures policy and practices." The official agenda is posted on the City of Bloomington website.  
Welcome to our Newest Members!
by Beth Porter
 
Joan Beattie • Susan Clark • Jacqueline Medley

League of Women Voters of McLean County

P.O. Box 932, Normal, IL 61761

Email: info@lwvmclean.org

Web: lwvmclean.org
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Email: info@lwvmclean.org

League of Women Voters of McLean County 

PO Box 932 

Normal, IL 61761