LWV of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area Attends National Convention

LAKE FOREST, ILL. – Delegates from the League of Women Voters of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area (LWV-LF/LB) recently attended the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) 53rd National Convention in Chicago. Delegates Laurie Rose, Mary Mathews and Amy Knutson Strack represented LWV-LF/LB, joining more than 1,000 League leaders across the U.S. to attend leadership workshops, plenary sessions and caucuses about League priorities.

Founded in Chicago in 1920, the event kicked off a two-year celebration of the League’s upcoming 100th anniversary of women gaining suffrage and the establishment of the League of Women Voters. LWV of Illinois and LWV of Chicago hosted the Convention.

"After nearly 100 years of accomplishment, the League of Woman Voters continues to battle on behalf of all Americans by protecting, defending and facilitating suffrage,” said LWV-LF/LB President Laurie Rose. “As voting rights are retrenched, the League represents an increasingly relevant non-partisan voice in the effort to sustain democracy."

During the four-day Convention from June 28-July 1, delegates voted on the priorities that the national organization should focus on for the next biennium. The Campaign for Making Democracy Work® includes ensuring a free, fair and accessible electoral system for all eligible voters. This focus includes improving elections, advocating for the national popular vote compact, campaign finance/money in politics and redistricting. The League will prioritize legal arguments or defenses necessary to ensure ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which after Illinois’ successful ratification this spring, only requires one more state.

“We all want to see a League of Women Voters that’s suited to meet 21st-century demands, that works hard to court a new generation of leaders and activists, that looks like the people and communities for whom we so fervently advocate,” said Chris Carson, LWVUS president in her opening remarks to the Convention delegates and attendees.

An Illinois League, LWV of Naperville, earned the national Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy Award in the Community Connection category. The award recognized its “Stroll to the Polls” project that the League spearheaded with Waubonsie Valley and Metea Valley High Schools in Aurora. Voter turnout in targeted precincts doubled, attributed to the project efforts.
For more information, please visit www.lwv-lflb.org.

About the League of Women Voters of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information and videos of past events, please visit www.lwv-lflb.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We welcome all men and women of all ages as members.