By Faith Russell
When it comes to our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy, this is our moment. And our local chapter is certainly meeting the moment. The range and amount of activity we’re involved in is staggering.
We’re training and deploying poll watchers, we’re monitoring the testing of election equipment, we’re distributing materials to encourage uncertain voters (Resources for Voting--see article below), we’re informing engaged voters (VOTE411), we’re speaking on behalf of voter rights at local rallies and town halls.
We’re doing the work of democracy.
One of our members has offered to compare this year’s election turnout with that in 2022. Any positive increase can’t be scientifically attributed to our work. But we can know in our hearts that we made a difference.
| | Tonight! Candidate Open House and Forum
Bone Student Center starting at 5
WGLT, campus and community partners, in addition to the League, will host a candidate open house on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Bone Student Center Prairie Room.
The open house is scheduled from 5-6:45 p.m. The forum will follow from 7-8 p.m. with participation from McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael and challenger Joshua Crockett.
| | | New Expanded Drinks and Dialogue
October 14 Meeting
The expanded Drinks & Dialogue is a series called 3, 2, 1 Action. This additional format will help us understand how to “take action” to benefit our government, our community and our leaders. First up: “How to Run for Office” on Wednesday, October 14.
A brief overview of the mechanics of running for office, such as petitions, and will be followed by remarks from Alexander Williams (Unit 5 School Board president), Georgene Chissell (precinct chair and former candidate for Bloomington City Council) and Sheila Montney (Ward 8 Council member, City of Bloomington).
Following the usual Drinks & Dialogue format, there will be time to discuss and to ask questions.
Please join us on Wednesday, October 14 at 5:30 p.m. for socializing. The program will begin at 6 p.m. at the Gill Street Bar. Registration is encouraged.
Drinks & Dialogue: 3, 2, 1, Action!
| | |  | | Resources for Voting
A subgroup of Voter Services committee members has developed voting materials, “Resources for Voting”, that serve as a prologue for VOTE411 information. VOTE411 informs interested voters on their ballot, their registration, polling places, and candidates. Resources for Voting attempts to engage eligible, inexperienced- or non-voters in the voting process. These new materials include: Why Vote, Obstacles and Solutions to Voting, Eligibility, How to Register and How to Vote, which are presented in three infographics (low-text, high-graphic, brief). They are customized specifically for McLean County’s eligible voters.
These materials, along with a VOTE411/Making a Voting Plan postcard are being distributed through community agencies, hung on doors in underrepresented areas of Bloomington-Normal, and via our LWVMcLean website. Bookmarks with QR codes directing people to the “Resources for Voting” and VOTE411 webpages will also be available for broader distribution.
We’re hoping these information pieces shared a variety of ways will attract the attention of potential voters and help increase voter turnout in the November election.
|  | | | Which Judge Should I Vote For?
Determining what judicial candidate to vote for can be daunting and not as clear-cut as other political offices. The League of Women Voters gets asked this frequently and has some resources about judging judges.
There are infographics about voting and then resources about evaluating judges.
| Mail-in Ballot Information and Dates
Here's important information about mail-in balloting for McLean County. There are two ways to get your mail-in ballot to the McLean County Clerk’s office: mailing it or putting it in a drop box.
For Illinois, election offices must receive applications for mail-in ballots by Oct. 29, the League encourages voters to return their completed mail-in ballot no later than one week prior to the deadline. Ballots may be manually postmarked if you are concerned about the timeline. If you are mailing, place a First-Class stamp on the ballot envelope and deliver the sealed envelope to the United States Postal Service for delivery to McLean County Clerk’s office. Ballots must be postmarked by November 3 and received by the McLean County Clerk's Office on or before November 17, 2026. | Drop box: if you are using a drop box, a stamp is not required. Drop boxes are available at:
For City of Bloomington Voters:
City of Bloomington Board of Elections
https://bloomingtonelectionsil.gov/
121 N. Main St. 1st Floor
Bloomington, IL 61701
The drop box is located in a monitored location beside the building in downtown Bloomington, is accessible 24/7 to both McLean County and City of Bloomington voters, and is color-painted for ease of sight.
For McLean County Voters (excludes City of Bloomington Voters):
McLean County Clerk
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/1226/Elections
Government Center Lobby
115 E Washington St., Bloomington
Available during early voting hours
Government Center, Room 102
115 E. Washington St., Bloomington
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays
Illinois State University, Bone Student Center
200 N. University, Normal
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays
Normal Police Department
100 E. Phoenix Ave., Normal
7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday - Sunday
| | | Make a Voting Plan
The League encourages people to make a plan when they vote. Aubrey Henson, Erin Hastings and Amy Jeck (l to r) did just that: they went to the Government Center together over their lunch hour and voted. Have you made a plan? | | The Midterm Election is Over … Now What?
Does it seem like November 3rd will ever come? Can you take seeing one more political ad?
When the election is finally over … what’s next?
What will happen if there’s a “blue wave?” What will happen if there isn’t?
Will the next Congress be productive? Will there be surprise winners and losers?
Will any states turn “purple?” Who will hold the power, and what will they do with it?
Come to the Wednesday, November 11th “Drinks and Dialogue” program for a lively discussion around these questions!
Facilitators:
Dr. Meghan Leonard and Dr. James Scott, from the ISU Politics and Government Department, and retired Circuit Court Judge Robert (Bob) Freitag will provide a short presentation and facilitate a discussion.
Place: Gill St. Bar & Grill
3002B Gill St., Bloomington
Social Hour: 5:30-6:00 pm
Discussion 6:00-7:00pm
You won’t want to miss this!!
| | | | Election Hero Day
October 20
There are a lot of heroes in this election cycle. October 20 has been designated as Election Hero Day. It gives you a chance to thank those pollworkers and election officials who make our elections safe, secure and accessible.
Many of your fellow league members serve as pollworkers, election judges and greeters to make sure elections run smoothly. Democracy depends on the work of these election heroes. Thank them today! | | | | Learn More about the League
New Member Orientation
New to the League or want to learn more about the League? Member orientation meetings center on the league history, structure, ways to get involved and more. The virtual meeting is Wednesday, November 18 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
It will last one hour or less.
This meeting is offered over Zoom. Register by Saturday, November 14, and a link will be sent to you 2 or 3 days ahead of the meeting.
| | | | League Board Officers at Local Meeting
League President Faith Russell (right) and Vice President Allie High talked about the league, mission and activities at Normal Women Rising meeting in September.
"There were a lot of people who were excited about the League's work and VOTE411," said Allie. "We had several women interested in joining."
| | |  | Last Democracy Dialogues
The last Democracy Dialogue will be Thursday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the YWCA. "Consent of the Governed" features Dr. Robert Bradley, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Politics and Government at ISU.
Each discussion will begin with a short presentation on the historical context of each phrase and why it was included in the Declaration. Program participants will then break into facilitated small group discussions to reflect on what these founding principles mean to them, how they have changed in our society since 1776, how they have been upheld, and what impact they still have on our nation today. At the end of each discussion, participants will be given information about how they can get more involved in our community and become more civically engaged. |  | | No Kings Rally on Oct. 17
This No Kings Rally is a non-partisan early voter mobilization effort. Organizers say it is a chance to bring the community together to turn people power into voter power. It will help people make a voting plan and ensuring everyone understands their options on how to vote.
The rally will be Saturday, Oct. 17, from 12 to 2:00 p.m. at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.
| | | LWV in the News
Read LWVUS public statements about our actions to defend democracy.
Read LWVIL published news and media coverage.
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