Civic Action – LWVAL Blog

The League of Women Voters Commends the Alabama Legislature for Improvements in Government Transparency

As an organization dedicated to voter education and the widest possible voter engagement in our democracy, the League of Women Voters is very pleased to commend the Alabama Legislature for steps they have taken to improve government transparency. We would like to acknowledge that the work was spearheaded by the Legislative Computer Center and was a collaborative effort of the Senate, House, and Legislative Services Agency. By “transparency,” we mean that voters can easily see what is happening so that they can express their views on legislation to their own legislators. In particular, we…

By Advocacy Team March 15, 20222022Leg, Civic Action, Democracy, Education, Transparency in Government

2022Leg Civic Action Education

Thoughts on teaching history accurately

Article by Carol Prickett *** The League of Women Voters of Alabama, with members all across the state, has a deep and abiding commitment to educating Alabama citizens about current issues. We believe that an accurately informed population votes for the government that best serves the state. With this focus on urgent current matters, why do we take just as strong a stand about teaching history in our public schools? It is because the stories we tell about the past shape the decisions we make in the future. Students trust teachers to tell them,…

By Advocacy Team March 13, 20222022Leg, Civic Action, Education

2022Leg Civic Action Democracy

Do you have any idea how hard it is to vote absentee in Alabama?

Article by Catherine Davies You probably know that you can do “absentee voting.” If you haven’t actually done it yourself, you probably assume that it is easy for qualified voters to do. I created the list below from my own experience of voting absentee twice in Alabama (in Nov of 2020 and in the last municipal election). I invite you to read the list below and ask yourself if this is easy for ANYBODY to accomplish, let alone somebody who is infirm or disabled. 13 things that you need to know, have, or do…

By Catherine Davies March 10, 20222022Leg, Civic Action, Democracy

Civic Action Democracy

Voting Protections For the People

Our House of Representatives has recently passed HR 1, the “For the People Act,” and it is now in the Senate as S 1. Sometimes the name of a bill is intended to misrepresent the contents or gaslight the audience, but this one is real. It draws on the words of Abraham Lincoln, who described our democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” It contains a range of important and interrelated measures that will strengthen American democracy by increasing voter accessibility and will allow more Americans to let their…

By Elsa Roberts May 18, 2021Civic Action, Democracy

Civic Action Democracy

Zooming our way to public service

Our League in Tuscaloosa built recently on the LWV’s long history of moderating non-partisan forums for election candidates. Some of you may be old enough to remember when the LWVUS moderated nationally-televised presidential debates until that role was taken away from us by the national party organizations. Local Leagues have a proud history of organizing and moderating forums for candidates for local elections, and until the pandemic we did that in person. Typically, they would be held in the evening in an accessible location. Our question committee would gather ideas and formulate questions for…

By Catherine Davies April 22, 2021Civic Action, Democracy

Civic Action Democracy

Why should we care about voting rights?

As members of the League of Women Voters, we sometimes take for granted that voting rights are essential. Many Americans know the history of the struggle for the right to vote for ALL citizens and understand the importance of voting rights, but we still hear questions like the following: “What’s the big deal about voting rights?” or “Why should I care about voting rights?” The basic answer is that, in a democracy, your vote is your voice. As Americans, we all want our voices to be heard. Do you realize what we Americans accomplished…

By Advocacy Team April 14, 2021Civic Action, Democracy

Civic Action Democracy

Democracy is not a spectator sport

Democracy is not a spectator sport; all citizens are needed to Make Democracy Work! The League of Women Voters is here to provide you with information to help you successfully influence federal, state, and local governments in ways that improve Alabamians’ quality of life. You can make a difference! Governing in a democracy is both an amazing privilege and a serious responsibility. Successfully holding our leaders accountable to their solemn responsibility requires continuously active and engaged citizens who demand transparency and accountability. We all must educate ourselves about important challenges that we face (as…

By Advocacy Team March 15, 2021Civic Action, Democracy