LWV Klamath County Posts

LWV Partners with Girl Scouts

Promote the Vote is a national program meant to engage Girl Scouts in civics

Girl Scouts Work with the League of Women Voters to Promote the Vote

GSUSA and the LWV have long histories of empowering girls, advocating for civil rights, and advancing policies that support girls and women. Our organizations are excited to work together nationally and locally to provide Girl Scouts with more opportunities to learn about and engage with civics, voting, and democracy. 

In 2024, The League of Women Voters Education Fund(LWVEF) and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced a new, two-year partnership that supports Girl Scouts’ Promote the Vote program and civic engagement opportunities for Girl Scouts across the country. Building on GSUSA and LWVEF’s long histories of civic engagement, the partnership connects local Leagues and Girl Scout councils to support Girl Scout troops participating in Promote the Vote, as well as in completing civics badges, earning the Gold Award and more. 

Promote the Vote is a national program meant to engage Girl Scouts in civics by providing them with resources and information to get out the vote and help individuals in their communities make a voting plan. Through Promote the Vote, Girl Scout troops and League of Women Voters (LWV) volunteers can write letters, send texts and conduct outreach encouraging potential voters to go to the ballot box, which gives Girl Scouts the opportunity to get involved in the democratic process, even if they’re not of voting age.

The League of Women Voters has played a significant role in educating the public on political leaders, public policy and civic participation for over 100 years. With the upcoming election, the two nonprofits look forward to assisting both Girl Scouts and the overall public in learning about voter empowerment. As a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, LWVEF works to register and provide voters with election information via their online database, VOTE411.org.

LWVOR. How Can You Participate?

Voter Girl had a busy fall 2025 with Girl Scout Changemaker Cafe, STEM Day and working with the board on approval of Voter Girl and writing the MOU for our GSOSW collaboration. 

For 2026 Voter Girl goals are to involve scouts in our local league activities such as Vote411, OSME, candidate forums, etc. Badge learning can begin at the local troop level following the easy to use Voter Girl and GS badge curricula.

Voter Girl is ready to go! Our LWVOR board approved the Voter Girl Project. In process is a Memorandum of Understanding with Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington (GSOSW.org). Voter Girl is collaborating with LWVUS to network with other states and develop our local GS connections suggested in the LWVUS/GSUSA Collaboration Guide.


LWVOR purchased The Voter Girl Project. This proprietary GS badge program was developed by LWVKent, Ohio. In Oregon, state and local leagues can use this curriculum to host multi-troop Voter Girl Badge Days to offer Citizen and Democracy badges. Our members access the delightful civics curricula to support troop leaders. Voter Girl helps local leagues connect with their Girl Scout Service Unit. Liaisons and volunteers are not required to join GSOSW.

HERE is a recent newsletter on actions already taken to promote our collaboration.

LWV Klamath County local liaison is Emily Strauss. Please contact her for more information or ways to join this effort.

Who are Girl Scouts of the USA?

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them.

Girl Scouts Promote the Vote Service Project

National Civic Action: Promote the Vote

What do you want the future to look like? Who will lead us as we work to bring it to life? That’s up to you—but only if you vote! Voting is the process by which people cast ballots to choose leaders or decide on important issues. It’s a way to show what you believe in and make sure your voice ​is included in decision-making​. You might not be old enough to vote—yet—but you’re never too young to learn about this process and to get your friends, family, and community involved. 

​​​​​​​​​We’re lucky to be living in a time where this type of ​civic engagement is​ possible. For a long time, women and people of color in the U.S. weren’t allowed to vote. It has taken hundreds of years of advocacy to change that. The 19th Amendment of 1920 allowed women the right to vote, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965​ ​guaranteed voting access to people of color. However, barriers to voting still exist. There’s work to be done—and Girl Scouts can play a part! 

That’s what Promote the Vote is all about. When you join in, you’ll encourage potential voters to go to the ballot box. You’ll show them how and when to register to vote, where to find key information, how to educate themselves on candidates and issues, how to make a voting plan, and more. Simple steps and easy-to-follow templates guide you through the process. Promote the Vote with Girl Scouts and help shape your tomorrow—today!

Unite and Rise 8.5

An Initiative to Defend Democracy

On April 17, 2025, LWV CEO Celina Stewart and President Dianna Wynn released the following statement: 

“From the flagrant disregard for congressional authority and governmental checks and balances to defying Supreme Court orders…one thing is abundantly clear: our country is in a constitutional crisis.   

“We the people must fight back. That is why the League of Women Voters is launching a powerful new initiative, Unite and Rise 8.5.” 

Through Unite and Rise 8.5, we will engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters to protect and preserve our democracy. 

What is Unite and Rise 8.5?

Unite & Rise 8.5 aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise up against the anti-democratic actions of this administration. Launching in May 2025 and running until the 2026 midterm elections, this initiative is part of our Women Defend Democracy campaign. 

Why 8.5? 

The number 8.5 million is the estimated number of voters it would take to bring about change through nonviolent protest. This is based on the following finding from the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights: 

“Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts…and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.” 

According to the University of Florida, approximately 245 million Americans were eligible to vote in the 2024 general election. According to the above research, if 3.5% of these eligible voters — 8,575,000 people — engage in nonviolent protests, we will bring about meaningful change. 

Are We Really in a Constitutional Crisis? 

The League defines a Constitutional Crisis as: 

When the executive, the legislative, or judiciary branches cannot or will not adequately protect the US Constitution, when there are explicit attempts to dismantle a functional democracy within any of the three branches, or when any level of federal government takes action to destroy democratic institutions in a manner that intentionally or purposefully jeopardizes the US Constitution.  

When these events occur, the constitution is deemed at the highest serious risk and warrants full-scale action to preserve and protect democratic institutions and civil society.” 

Commit to action: Sign our commitment to Unite and Rise for democracy!

The League Pays Attention

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization and always has been. That means we don’t support any party or candidate. That doesn’t mean we remain completely neutral on local, state, or national affairs. We hold voter information forums for candidates, study various issues and take formal positions, argue for or against legislation that fits within our position statements, and closely monitor the state of voting rights. Here are some recent actions .

League of Women Voters Condemns Unjustified National Guard Deployment to Portland

PORTLAND AND WASHINGTON, DC — The League of Women Voters of Oregon and the League of Women Voters of the US issued the following joint statement in response to the deployment of the National Guard in Portland. 

“Portland — a city recognized nationally for its civic activism, creativity, and commitment to democratic values — is now subject to an unjustified deployment of federal troops. This action undermines local authority and threatens the very freedoms our democracy is meant to protect. 

“Neither the Governor of Oregon nor city leaders requested this intervention. No emergency exists in Portland that warrants federal deployment. Instead, this move represents yet another instance of political retaliation aimed at silencing diverse, engaged communities who exercise their right to free expression. 

“The presence of the National Guard will not bring safety or stability to Portland. Instead, it escalates fear, erodes trust, and places communities — particularly Black, brown, immigrant, and Indigenous residents who have historically borne the brunt of state overreach — at greater risk. 

“Portland has long been a city where people gather to speak out, advocate for justice, and demand accountability from their government. To answer civic participation with militarization is a dangerous misuse of federal power. What Portlanders need is investment in community safety, affordable housing, and public health — not troops in their streets. 

“The League calls on the Oregon congressional delegation to condemn the weaponization of the federal military and stand up for the people of Portland. We commend Oregon government officials for taking legal action against this unjust occupation.” 

Urge the EAC not to Require Documentary Proof of Citizenship

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) published a Federal Register notice requesting comments on a petition seeking to add documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) to the federal voter registration form. Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections creates unnecessary barriers for many eligible voters. While it’s already illegal for noncitizens to vote, asking citizens to provide additional documentation is an obstacle that could disproportionately affect vulnerable groups.  

The petition seeks to initiate a rulemaking process to amend the federal voter registration form to require applicants to provide one of the following as proof of citizenship:  

  • US Passport.
  • State-issued Real ID-compliant driver’s license indicating that the applicant is a citizen.
  • An official military identification card that indicates the applicant is a US citizen.
  • Valid Federal or State government-issued photo identification if such identification indicates that the applicant is a US citizen or if such identification is otherwise accompanied by proof of US citizenship. 

This proposal is in the petition phase, which means that the EAC has not proposed a rule yet. That means this is a very important engagement opportunity, and all voices are critical to advocate against the addition of documentary proof of citizenship requirements to the federal voter registration form.  

Comments must be submitted by October 20, 2025 at midnight. Here’s how to submit a comment: 

  1. Go to the petition page on regulations.gov by clicking here.
  2. Submit the comment as an individual. You may also submit anonymously.   

Women Defend Democracy Campaign

For 105 years, the League of Women Voters has worked to provide voters with election information, safeguard voter access, uphold election integrity, and defend against efforts to undermine democratic principles. Today, the organization is stronger than ever, with a growing, vibrant membership of activists tackling the challenges to our democracy in every corner of our country. As the League continues to build a membership that reflects America, we recognize the continued challenges our democracy will face.  

Stay Up to Date with Women Defend Democracy

Through the “Women Defend Democracy” campaign, the League will work to:  

  • Provide Democracy Education & Election Administration Support
  • Restore and Defend Voting Rights Protections
  • Abolish the Electoral College
  • Protect Democracy Organizations & Institutions
  • Fight for Reproductive Freedoms 

 League of Women Voters is well-positioned to defend attacks on democracy in the coming months and years. Together, we believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy. 

League Transformation Journey: Modernizing the LWV

Over the past decade, the League has embarked on a Transformation Journey, an endeavor to build the next century of the League of Women Voters. This Transformation Journey centers our mission and empowers our League community at every level. It facilitates the real work of democracy that League members lead in our states and communities.

Introduced at our 2018 National Convention, a Transformation Roadmap was formulated with input from Leagues at all levels as an action plan for continuing the evolution of the League by building a renewed, larger, more unified, and more impactful organization. Then, at our 2020 National Convention, League delegates voted to elevate the DEI Policy to the same organizational importance as the Nonpartisan Policy.

At our National Convention in June 2022, League delegates adopted bylaws and budget commitments to take this transformation to the next level. These commitments were our Structure Transformation Plan, the next phase of our shared vision of the League’s future. I am proud that League members, staff, board, and convention delegates came together for this historic commitment. Together, we fix our eyes on meeting the needs of all voters, being a national leader for democracy defense, empowering our communities, growing our membership in number and diversity, and strengthening our grassroots power.

Years of research and planning formulated the blueprint of our work. We made a real commitment last year with our Structure Transformation Plan. Now, we enter the next phase of our transformation journey: building out the framework of our future. I am so excited to build it together with all of you.

– Dr. Deborah Ann Turner, LWVUS board president

ChapterSpot, the new League membership platform, will provide a centralized portal where any person can join the League or renew their membership, regardless of which League they are joining. This will improve the member experience by making the joining process consistent across Leagues and will allow new members to join their local League from LWV.org.

LWV Klamath is part of this process. See our HOME page and JOIN US page for more details, including

  • video
  • FAQs
  • graphics
  • detailed information
  • links to our own portal and join/renewal page

Joining the League

A more streamlined joining process will facilitate the engagement of more members, through local, state, and national websites and through national membership campaigns.

How will a member identify a League at the time of joining? Is this done by address?

There will be a way to select the League to which the new member belongs.  As now, members will continue to have the option to choose which League they would like to join. 

Will members still be able join at the state level as at-large members?

Yes. 

Will members be required to join online?

There will still be the option to join with a paper form and a check. Information from paper forms will need to be entered manually by the local League, so the online method is preferred to minimize the administrative burden on volunteers.

Membership Renewal

Auto-renewal will improve member retention to increase overall membership numbers.

Can membership payments be made in installments?

This will not be available at first but may be possible down the line. 

Can members auto-renew?

Yes. Members will also be able to choose not to auto-renew. 

Will members automatically be notified to renew and when will that happen?

Yes, members will be automatically notified when it is time for them to renew their membership. The first renewal reminder will be sent 60 days before the member’s expiration, a second will be sent 30 days before their expiration, a third will be sent the day before expiration, and a final reminder will be sent 45 days after they have expired. Leagues will be encouraged to reach out to members who haven’t renewed after the second and third email reminders. Updated 10/31/24

Are renewal dates rolling?

Yes. This means members who renew will do so a year after their previous renewal/join date. Not all members will join on the same date, as is currently the case with some Leagues. 

Membership Dues

The League’s new dues structure aims to expand the membership pool beyond those who can afford the standard dues amount while setting a recommended amount that will fund the essential activities of the League.

How much will dues cost for individuals?

Individuals will be encouraged to pay a standard rate of $75. There will be higher tiers for those who choose to pay more ($150, $250, $500), as many Leagues currently have, and there will also be a pay-what-you-can option, where members can choose their own dues amount, at a minimum of $20. 

In a pay-what-you-can model, is there any possibility of members joining below the $20 floor?

Leagues can choose to subsidize the $20 for members if they choose.

Are there parameters around who can pay less than the floor amount of $20?

Not yet, but this will be determined by each local League, as they will be responsible for the floor payment of $20.

How will credit card fees be handled?

Each level of League will pay the fee on the percentage of dues they receive. There will be the option for members to pay via ACH rather than credit card, for which the fees will be lower. 

How frequently will my League receive member dues?

Member dues will come to your League’s Stripe account at the time of payment. Your League can choose the frequency with which this is distributed to your bank account based on the treasurer’s capacity to reconcile deposits as well as cash flow needs. Stripe offers daily, weekly, monthly, and manual options. 

Will dues be tax-deductible?

Portions of dues that are going to 501(c)(3)s will be tax-deductible (e.g. if the local League is a (c)(3), the 20% going to them will be tax-deductible). A receipt will be sent to joining/renewing members which should be able to indicate the amount that is tax-deductible. This is true regardless of whether members pay online or by check.

How will a pay-what-you-can membership dues structure increase membership diversity?

While it can’t be guaranteed that the sliding dues scale will diversify League membership, it will remove or lessen one important barrier to participation by ensuring people can participate in LWV even if they lack the funds to join at a higher rate. Leagues know from their pro-voter advocacy that removing barriers drives greater participation. The purpose is to make it easier for younger and lower-income people to join the League, but lower dues are only one aspect of building an accessible and welcoming organization, and they need to be implemented alongside the League’s DEI initiatives and organizing approaches.

How the Changes Will Help LWV Build Power

  1. Joining with a link that will be available on any League website simplifies joining, reducing the frustration of searching for a local League or visiting the national site and then having difficulty finding a local League. LWVUS can also more effectively encourage membership through social media, and a QR code will make it easier for people to join at community events.
  2. By removing barriers to participation, the pay-what-you-can model will encourage more members and a more diverse membership. LWVUS expects the higher join tiers to finance the pay-what-you-can model.
  3. The new dues split allocates a larger percentage of dues to state Leagues. This is intended to build their capacity to exercise political power within their legislature, support professional paid staff, build organizing strength, and support local Leagues to simplify our federated structure.
  4. Local Leagues will retain a larger percentage of dues to finance local work.
  5. LWVUS predicts 3/4 of local Leagues will come out financially ahead from the start, and LWVUS will make up any shortfall in membership dues collected for two years.

LWV Civics Education in the Classroom

Our poster will soon appear across Main Street for two weeks!

The League of Women Voters focus on citizenship.

From the LWV US:

The leaders we elect make decisions that affect our daily lives. Elections are our chance to stand up for what matters most to us and to have an impact on the issues that affect us, our communities, our families and our future. 

Increased accessibility to the electoral process is integral to ensuring that every American can exercise their right to vote. Leagues across the United States work year-round to promote pro-voter reforms that both preserve our existing rights and provide flexibility for casting ballots in order to be inclusive of historically underserved communities. 

While we have made progress in expanding voter access, many people still face disproportionate challenges to participate in elections due to factors including health, age, race, and gender. Our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard, which is why we strongly advocate for measures to make voting more accessible. 

We host hundreds of candidate debates and forums across the country each year and provide straightforward information about candidates and ballot issues. Through print and online resources, including VOTE411.org, we equip voters with essential information about the election process in each state, including polling place hours and locations, ballot information, early or absentee voting rules, voter registration deadlines, ID requirements and more. 

The LWV of Minnesota has a good page of information about civil discourse.

new lwv oregon initiative: “think before you ink”

Here’s more that the LWV Oregon is doing to protect our elections:

https://www.lwvor.org/think-before-you-ink

ONLY SIGN PETITIONS YOU SUPPORT!


Never sign a petition “just to get it on the ballot so people can vote on it.” Just as voting in primaries has more impact than voting in general elections, signing petitions has more impact than ballot measure voting.

Our board members took this flyer into classrooms (see below) when we recently visited.

What LWV Klamath County is doing

We support informed voters, voting, and good citizenship. Part of those include civil discourse, the ability of citizens to disagree respectfully, and still come to agreements on important issues. Towards that end, several members of the LWV Klamath County Board have been visiting high school classes this Spring to speak about civics and citizenship. They developed a 45-minute presentation and hand out materials for both teachers and students.

These are some of the resources we offer to teachers:

LWV of Oregon – Civics Education Curriculum, a Guide to Student Civic Engagement https://www.lwvor.org/mock-election

LWV Washington – Chapter 11: What it Takes to Be a Good Citizen

LWV San Luis Obispo – Civil Discourse Study, 2014, comprehensive one-year study, brochure, checklist, presentation guide, etc. (see pp. 5-8)

LWV San Diego – “Putting Civility into Action,” 2011-12, League interest group and community presentations.

LWV Washington – “Civility in Our Democracy Program,” 2012-2013

LWV California, Suggestions for Engaging and Empowering

This is what students receive:

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A GOOD CITIZEN

Being a good citizen requires striving to develop certain habits of mind and ways of living. To live in an open, democratic society, we have to accept that not everyone will share our beliefs.

We don’t always agree. We are not all alike. That’s OK. Have the courage to change what you can, the serenity to accept what you cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Letting go of winning does not work for sports, BUT, democracy is NOT a sport with winners and losers. We all lose when we can’t find a solution we can live with.

So what contributes to being a good citizen?

  1. Try to be a person of good character. Respect yourself and others.
  2. Love to learn.
  3. Learn about science and technology.
  4. Don’t feel like you have to know everything.
  5. Get to know your neighbors.
  6. Spend time with people who are different from you. Learn from them.
  7. Know your rights and stand up for them.
  8. Participate in the life of your community. Join interest groups.
  9. Think about the common good as well as individual liberty.
  10. Lean toward optimism.
  11. Think of yourself as a powerful person. Your vote elects a president who has an impact on the whole world, not just Americans. This is an important responsibility.
  12. Question authority. In fact, question everything.
  13. Don’t waste time hating “government”. Complaining about it doesn’t change it. Use your vote to elect leaders who will steer the country in a positive direction.
  14. Keep the faith in democracy. If we stop believing in it, democracy dies.

Together, we have made A LOT of progress since 1776, from outlawing slavery to extending voting rights to every citizen to becoming one of the most powerful countries on planet Earth.

Charles Schulz, creator of Snoopy said: “I believe that our greatest strength lies always in the protection of our smallest minorities.”

Here are some excellent words of advice from a Common Dreams article (March 6, 2016) by Zoe Weil, entitled “Civil Discourse Leads to Positive Change: Insults Do Not.”

“Ironically, it is when we are not competing to be “right” that we are most likely to have our perspectives adopted by others. Civil discourse isn’t just a better path for living and working together peacefully; it is a better path strategically if we want our ideas to be thoughtfully considered and potentially embraced by others.

If you’re really angry and desperately want positive change, then civil discourse is your best path forward. Venting your anger publicly isn’t only counterproductive, it’s also selfish. It doesn’t serve your greater goal; it only serves your most frustrated self. And given all the terrible, destructive, dangerous things that are happening in our society and the world, we need to harness the energy of our rage for positive purposes and meaningful change.

Civil discourse is a practice. It requires deep commitment (and deep breaths). But it works better than anything else to create the foundation for collaboration toward positive change-making that meets the needs of all stakeholders.”

Do We Need Civics Education?

YES! says the League of Women Voters.

Civics education is integral to the future of our democracy.  

Over 20 years ago, the League of Women Voters launched Making Democracy Work®, a campaign focusing on five key indicators of a healthy democracy. Two of these indicators are civic education and civic participation — because, as a nonpartisan voting rights and democracy policy organization, the League knows civic information and involvement are key to a healthy American democracy.  

At the federal level, LWVUS supports the funding of civic education and educates Congress about its importance. There is even more incredible work conducted by state and local Leagues across the country to support civic education; last year, 63% of Leagues who completed an annual survey indicated that Civic Education is a “current priority” for them.  

The federal government spends $50 per student per year on STEM education and only five cents…on civics.

LWVUS decided to delve more into the stories behind the data and learn from a handful of Leagues about their work and motivation to bring better civic engagement to their communities. Many Leagues highlighted similar motivations to lean into this work; for example, there are real, measurable disparities between federal investment in civics education and other areas of study, like STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. The federal government spends $50 per student per year on STEM education and only five cents per student per year on civics. This is especially concerning to Leagues because of the strong connection between civically educated voters and a representative, engaged democracy.  

A Look at American Civics Education

I vaguely remember taking 7th-grade civics when I was 13. I imagine that we covered the structure of the US government and the process of voting for elected officials. But five years later, when I registered to vote for the first time, there was so much I didn’t remember. I didn’t know how to find candidates, which offices I was voting for, or how to stay engaged in developments in my community so that I could make my voice heard on important issues.  

In contrast, other school subjects stand out in my memory to this day. For example, in 6th grade, I completed my first science fair project correlating the temperature of water with the time it took for food coloring to spread. I set up a lab in our kitchen, typed out a 10-page report, presented findings to a panel of judges, and took home a 2nd place award. Part of the reason I remember this in detail is that science education followed me throughout my schooling; there was a science class in every year of my education building on skills learned in previous classes. Comparing one year of civics class in 7th grade to more than 8 years of science classes over the course of primary school, students might get the impression that civics is not important. 

This example is anecdotal, but it reflects a real, measurable disparity between civics education and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education in terms of federal investment. The federal government spends $50 per student per year on STEM education while spending only five cents per student per year on civics.  

The funding of STEM education is an incredibly important investment, and my experience in the 6th-grade science fair led me to advanced science classes in high school and a Chemistry minor in college. But while I still use some of the skills imparted by STEM education, like strategic thinking and a curiosity about the world, I also wonder if a more robust civics education would have empowered me to start voting sooner than I did at age 23. Looking to the impressive results of investing in STEM, like expanding access to STEM education for girls and students of color, one vision for the future of civics education is that we could invest similarly in this subject to foster empowered and civically-minded Americans. 

What is Civics Education? 

The CivXNow coalition, of which the League of Women Voters of the United States is a member, outlines that: 

 “Civics education covers the study of the rights and obligations of citizens in society by teaching politics, law, American history, and closely related subjects and disciplines. Additionally, civics education can mean hands-on opportunities for students to put learning into practice such as service learning, clubs, and/or opportunities for students to participate in school governance.” 

 All students have the right to a comprehensive civics education that prepares them to take part in our democracy. 

What Might a More Robust Civics Education Look Like?

The Civics Secures Democracy Act [HR1814] [S4384] was introduced in the US Senate earlier this year, with similar bills in the House, to fill some of the gaps in civics education. The bill would invest in states to support the expansion of civics curriculums and allow states to create programs tailored to their students’ needs, expanding civics knowledge and preparing students to be actively engaged in democracy. Notably, this is a bipartisan effort sponsored by Senators Coons, Cornyn, King, Inhofe, Kelly, and Cassidy and represents a shared value to cultivate civically engaged youth. The League supports bringing the Civics Secures Democracy Act for debate and passage to promote an informed population through K-12 education around the country.  

With this proposed investment, schools can offer students a more comprehensive civics education. Expanding civics education looks like going beyond civic knowledge, like history and politics, to include actionable skills and community values. It can do so through both a concrete curriculum and the incorporation of democracy into a school’s climate, culture, and leadership. This work envisions a country where more young people vote and discuss politics fluently, volunteer in their communities, and advocate for their values with their elected representatives.  

What is the Connection Between Civics Education and Democracy?

As the name of the Civics Secures Democracy Act indicates, civics and democracy are integrally linked. An informed and civically knowledgeable population can work together to achieve a more fair society and confidently lead the future of our democracy. Our legislators and education departments must ensure that future generations understand the workings of our country’s government and its history. Offering civics education at all levels is essential to fulfilling our obligation to secure our democracy.  

Over 20 years ago, the League of Women Voters launched its campaign Making Democracy Work®, focusing on five key indicators of a healthy democracy: voter participation, campaign finance reform, diversity of representation, civic education and knowledge, and civic participation. As a nonpartisan voting rights and democracy policy organization, the League values equipping future generations with the tools to inherit and lead a healthy American democracy. 

Civics Education and the Midterms 

The time is always right to equip young people with the tools to take part in our democracy. It is also particularly timely to examine how civics education is prioritized as we near midterm elections. Effective civics education yields increased participation in elections, which is the best way to ensure that our elected leadership reflects the values of the population.  

Make an Election Plan at VOTE411.org

There is a lot on the line in the upcoming midterms. Electing candidates who champion a free and fair democracy is as important as ever, and the midterms are just as important as presidential elections in advancing our democracy.  

For election information, you can use VOTE411.org to make your voting plan! VOTE411 provides the information that voters need to participate in every election successfully. Whether it’s local, state, or federal, voting in every election is vital to ensuring our laws and policies reflect the values and beliefs of our communities. 

Civics Education in Oregon

The Oregon Student Mock Election is an exciting experience-based educational program that involves participating students in the electoral process and demonstrates the importance of voting.

Students will vote for candidates and measures on an abbreviated Mock Election Ballot created just for them. All Oregon students, grades 6-12, are eligible.

For more information see: https://civicslearning.org/

Health Care Reform for the US

Are you concerned about US health care and how it operates? Do you want to help the LWV strengthen its position on this important issue? Here is an opportunity to join league members throughout the US to take action. LWV members work at the local, state, and national levels on various matters that the league considers important. From their study, they write and adopt Position Papers that other leagues may use to bolster their support or opposition to various legislative and election initiatives (not candidates). Read on and see how you can take direct action on Health Care reform.

HCR4US Toolkit: https://lwvhealthcarereform.org/#latest-newsletter.  

(From that page, you will also find a link to all past newsletters.)

DECEMBER, 2023 NEWSLETTER

This month, the ink is barely dry on LWV of Vermont’s new state position against PRIVATIZATION in Health Care, adopted at a special convention December 14.  Already we see Leagues in other states who might be eager to have their states adopt the position by concurrence.  My home state MA, for example, already has a bill in the House to force greater transparency in nursing home ownership to slow private equity (PE) raids on our medical assets.  CA, OR, and NY legislatures go one better: they have bills to *regulate* mergers and other transactions involving private equity which will let the states challenge such deals and also make them harder to pull off with PE’s customary secrecy. 

Of course, we’d love to have LWVUS join in advocacy against these predatory forms of private ownership, but that might be a heavier lift than we can manage for this year.  Still, if we could get delegates at the convention to adopt an update to the current LWVUS privatization position–based on Vermont’s–that one action would make it available to all the states to use within their state and local governments.  So, look in the newsletter for news on the whys and hows of LWVVT’s study for a new position.  Then it will be a little “deja vu all over again,” as health care advocates gear up for a grassroots campaign to help bring Vermont’s topic to the LWVUS Program Planning process (in January and February, for the June convention).In the newsletter, we also report on our continuing work on the intersection of Health Care with other issues, this month Climate, and also more news (and reflection) about AI.

HCR4US is a nationwide effort among LWV chapters at the state and local levels to promote a national LWV Position Paper on health care reform.

submitted by–Barbara Pearson (MA), Candy Birch (FL & KS), Jon Li (CA), MaryLynne Courtney (WA), with guest contributors Betty Keller (VT) and Judy Esterquest (WA).

Good Government, Transparency, and Citizen Participation

Citizen Participation and Access

“The League of Women Voters believes democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible.” LWVUS Principles “We must promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive.”

League of Women Voters® of Oregon works to encourage active and informed participation in government and to increase understanding of major policy issues. The League seeks to empower citizens to understand governmental issues and to participate in the political process.

What does this mean for us? You can

1. Observe government in action: See our Observer Corps

Here is our recent invitation to participate.

One of the exciting developments of the last year in our local League of Women Voters Klamath chapter is the gathering momentum of the Observer Corps. We have been making a presence in the community, monitoring city and county meetings, such as the City Council, The Klamath County Commissioners, and the Klamath County School Board. It’s been amazing to see how much coverage a small core of people can accomplish. But we can accomplish so much more with your help. That’s why we invite any and all of you to join us in this very satisfying community work.

The National League of Women Voters encourages this activity at local chapters, not just to observe meetings, but also to make recommendations on behalf of the public interest, which we have already started to do with good results.

Perhaps it is best said in the words of Leslie Lowe: “It seems to me the best job we can do as LWV Klamath at this point is to show our elected officials that transparency and community involvement is very important, and they best not ignore that. So being present as the county develops a strategic plan is of value to make sure that they really consider the whole community and not just the folks that look like them.”

This is vital work for our time and certainly vital for our place. We are uncovering a general disregard for transparency and a lackluster attitude to community involvement in Klamath.

2. Make your voice heard: The League of Women Voters says,

Citizen’s Right to Know/Citizen Participation – (We) Protect the citizen’s right to know and facilitate citizen participation in government decision-making.

3. Become an informed voter

4. Vote in all elections and races

see- When We All Vote, US Vote Foundation

5. Support local groups that work fairly and democratically (emphasis on facts, research, fairness, inclusiveness, respect)

Rural Organizing Project (“Bridging Divides, Defending Dignity”)

Next Up Oregon

Common Cause

Conference on Civil and Human Rights

6. Help new voters

7. Learn about Oregon’s democratic participation rates

8. Research what other groups say about the meaning of good government.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/good-governance/about-good-governance

https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/mission

What is Ranked Choice Voting?

What is it?

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) has recently gained public attention across the U.S., and has been implemented in various state and local governmental elections.

The Oregon legislature has been holding hearings (March, 2023) on this matter while considering two potential laws. Become a better informed voter and learn more about this election method.

  • HB 2004 Establishes ranked choice voting as voting method for selecting winner of nomination for and election to offices of President of United States, United States Senator, Representative in Congress, Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer and Attorney General.
  • HB 3509 Establishes ranked choice voting as voting method for selecting winner of nomination for and election to nonpartisan state offices and county and city offices except where home rule charter applies.

Fair Vote says

How RCV works

Ranked choice voting (RCV) — also known as instant runoff voting (IRV) — improves fairness in elections by allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference.

RCV is straightforward: Voters have the option to rank candidates in order of preference: first, second, third and so forth. Votes that do not help voters’ top choices win count for their next choice.

It works in all types of elections and supports more representative outcomes.

Oregon RCV says

A recent survey conducted by the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center found that only one-third of Oregonians think that the process for electing the governor and state legislators should stay the same. Many said that the current system is obsolete, and that in a world where third- and fourth-party candidates are entering races there needs to be a way to determine a winner that the majority of people support. 

Fortunately, there is a relatively simple way to do this and it’s called runoff elections. The theory is simple — if no single candidate gets more than half of the vote, then the two highest vote getters face off in a runoff election, mano a mano. We already do this for the office of commissioner for the Bureau of Labor and Industries. Earlier this year a special election for the seat vacated by Val Hoyle did not give any one of the three candidates a majority of the vote. So now voters have an opportunity to vote again, this time for the two who received the greatest number of votes in the May election.

From Time Magazine

From the Pew Charitable Trust

From Harvard Law School

From the City of Portland

From the Council of State Governments

From the Center for Civic Design (research)

From Tufts University Institute for Democracy

What do oregon County Clerks/Election Officers Say?

What does LWV Oregon say? Election Methods Position Adopted 2017

The League of Women Voters of Oregon recognizes that election methods affect how voters participate in our democracy, who can run for office, and who can get elected. Therefore, the League supports election methods that:

  • Encourage voter participation and voter engagement.
  • Encourage those with minority opinions to participate.
  • Are easy to use.
  • Are verifiable and auditable.
  • Promote access to voting.
  • Promote competitive elections.
  • Promote sincere voting over strategic voting.
  • Discourage negative campaigning.
  • Prevent political manipulation (e.g. Gerrymandering).
  • Are compatible with vote-by-mail elections.

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The League of Women Voters of Oregon does not believe that plurality voting is the best method for promoting democratic choice in all circumstances.  For single-winner systems, the League supports ranked-choice voting; we do not support range or approval voting. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports election systems that elect policy-making bodies–legislatures, councils, commissions, and boards–that proportionally reflect the people they represent. We support systems that promote stable government, but we do not support systems that protect the two-party system. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore alternative election methods. If an alternative election method is adopted, then funding for startup and voter education should be available. The League of Women Voters of Oregon does not support nonpartisan elections for state legislators. (Previous position) Adopted 2009 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that any election method should be evaluated on its ability to:

  • Promote voter participation.
  • Be simple and easy for voters to understand.
  • Be verifiable and auditable.
  • Promote access to voting.
  • Promote competitive elections.
  • Prevent political manipulation.
  • Be compatible with vote-by-mail elections.

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The League supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore alternative election methods, e.g. instant runoff or fusion voting. If a local jurisdiction adopts an alternative election method, that jurisdiction should bear the costs of startup and voter education. Only after experience and evaluation at the local level should the state consider alternative election methods for statewide adoption. The League does not support nonpartisan elections for state legislators.

Get informed! Stay informed! Learn how your vote functions.

League of Women Voters of Klamath County