Allow us to introduce your new League of Women Voters of Alabama (LWVAL) Advocacy Team! We are an inter-league collaboration of the Alabama State League and nine Local Leagues across Alabama. We are working proactively to advocate for positive change in the Yellowhammer State! Our goal is to harness the expertise, passions, and connections of all of our hundreds of LWV members to advocate for change.
We have partnered with Alabama Arise, and are working with them on such voting rights topics as automatic voter registration, voter rights restoration, and absentee/early voting. The LWV Advocacy team has also highlighted redistricting, passage of the Voting Rights Advancement Act, and open records/transparency in government as main topics for 2021.
We know that change will not come easily, but we’re optimistic we can make a difference through a concerted year-round advocacy push that emphasizes voter engagement and education. Our team has a goal-oriented plan for each advocacy topic that has specific objectives and desired outcomes which will be refined over time.
Education is a critical part of our advocacy approach. Along with the LWVAL President’s letters to the editor and the National LWV’s advocacy posts, we will introduce an Advocacy Blog entitled “Voices of the League”, an Advocacy Newsletter that shares important, current advocacy information, and frequent Alabama-centered posts on advocacy topics. Through all of this we will provide relevant information and informed perspectives showing how the State government affects everyone, explain the impact of the proposed legislation in Montgomery, and provide timely opportunities for you to make your voice heard. We are also developing training videos and educational advocacy materials that can be shared on social media to be used by citizens, elected leaders, and others.
Legislative Advocacy has been a part of the League of Women Voters of Alabama’s mission for many decades, and this year is no different. We have, so far, identified over 40 bills in the State Legislature that relate to our LWVAL advocacy priorities. We are monitoring these bills as they pass through committees in the State House and Senate. Through careful review of proposed bills, discussions with other non-partisan advocacy organizations, and interviews of experts in the field, the LWVAL will recommend supporting or possibly speaking out in opposition to legislation. We will also seek opportunities to work with sponsoring legislators to identify amendments that could resolve concerns.
If our LWVAL Advocacy Team sounds like something you’d like to join, please contact Kathy Jones.
