The Voter
The League of Women Voters of Glen Ellyn
| |
A Letter from the Co-Presidents
Vote and Get Out The Vote! That is the message this Fall.
Our Voter Services team has been working ceaselessly in registering voters and educating voters by holding candidate forums. The Judicial Forum held in September provided valuable information about the whys and why nots, dos and don’ts of how judges are elected.
The October 1st candidate forum featured the two candidates running for District 4 DuPage Forest Preserve Commissioner. It also featured a 3-minute presentation by the District 4 DuPage County Board candidate who did accept our invitation. The other candidate declined.
Because the first week of October was not busy enough, a candidate forum for the county-wide DuPage positions was held on October 3rd. The questions were thoughtful and insightful and really revealed the differences between the candidates. Unfortunately, candidates for 3 races elected not to participate, so the candidates who did appear gave a 3-minute presentation.
Videos of all these events are posted on the LWVGE website under Voting > Candidate Forums.
To further educate voters, the LWVGE hosted a community meeting in September on “Combating Election Subversion”. Guest speaker was Jared Davidson, of ProtectDemocracy.org, a nonpartisan group that builds coalitions to defend the principles of democratic government and the rule of law. Unfortunately, if you missed this meeting there is no recording of the presentation. Next time make sure to attend!
| | |
|
Postcard writing parties (like this one above!) were a tremendous success – and FUN. The LWVGE sent out over 500 Get Out the Vote (GOTV) cards not only to Glen Ellyn voters, but voters in other parts of Illinois that do not have league representation. We plan on having more FUN in the Spring when we send out another 400 cards in time for the consolidated election.
The Glen Ellyn Library featured the League throughout the month of September. The entire Gallery Wall was devoted to information about the League, about voting and Mis/Dis information. Special thanks to Lynn Bruno for displaying her beautiful artwork.
As you can see, all these events and activities take a tremendous amount of time and effort. We want to express our thanks to all the volunteers that collaborated, but especially to Voter Services, Programs and Communications for their hard work and enthusiasm for the mission.
What can you do, you ask? Strive for 5! Take the GOTV challenge our Membership Engagement Committee presented in the September Voter: Ask 5 people if they are registered to Vote; Do they have a voting plan; remind them to vote the entire ballot.
We value your membership and participation. We’d love to hear from you and hope to see you at our upcoming events!
In League,
Barbara Kwiatkowsky and Judy Kinn, Co-Presidents
| | |
|
We are indebted to Barbara Laimins for a fantastic October program discussing Mis/Disinformation. So timely! Her powerful presentation was subtitled, "Truth Decay." Loved the title, as the nearly constant stream of election information requires a careful eye and carves into our ability to trust sources. Nearly 60 attendees heard Laimins’ message that genuine facts are intentionally, and routinely, distorted to fool the public. Laimins identified what to watch for and provided tools to suss out the truth. As a co-chair of the LWVIL Mis/Disinformation Task Force, Laimins stressed that “lateral reading” is key, where you evaluate the credibility of a source by comparing it to other sources. She also encouraged us to check dates, read past the headlines, question emotionally-charged content (be suspicious of exclamation points in headlines!), and offered resources for fact checking, like Allsides.com or newslit.org.
We also want to give a shout out to our partners from the Wheaton League, who helped us boost our event and double our reach! We were happy to welcome Wheaton friends to our meeting.
Submitted by Candy Purdom, VP Program
| |
National and Illinois League News | |
|
In addition to Get Out the Vote activities, both the National and Illinois Leagues are focused on combating voter suppression and intimidation during this election season. All voters have the right to cast their ballot without fear and intimidation. What does suppression and intimidation look like?
- Threaten voters for exercising their right to vote
-
Aggressively ask about someone’s voting record
- Demand validity of someone’s registration status outside of designated voting locations
- Accuse volunteers or voters of committing voter fraud
- Block mail-in ballot drop boxes and discouraging mail ballots
- Directly ask voters about party affiliation
- Spreading false information with regard to voting dates, places, and times
- Make phone calls warning voters not to vote
- Act deceptively to make voters fear voting
Know your rights. You may ask a poll worker to double-check their registration list if they cannot find your voter registration. If your registration is still denied, you can cast a provisional ballot.
Do not engage or directly confront anyone, but do report it. On the LWVIL Mis/Disinformation webpage there is a link to a reporting tool, or call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
Submitted by Judy Kinn, Co-President
| | | |
|
In preparation for voting, check out our new LWVGE website page “Video Voter Guide”. This page has a roundup of videos from candidate forums from:
· DuPage County Board District 4
· DuPage County Forest Preserve District 4
· US Representative District 3
· DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk
· DuPage County Coroner
· DuPage County Auditor
· DuPage County Recorder
· Illinois House District 48
· Illinois House District 47
Also published on this page are video statements from District 3 Judicial Candidates who responded to LWVGE's request to submit a video. Finally, this page has information on the upcoming Glen Ellyn local elections for Village President, Village Trustee, Library Trustee, and Village Clerk. More information on the local elections further along in the Voter!
Another new page “Illinois Judicial System and Candidates” https://www.lwvge.org/illinois-judicial-system has additional resources for evaluating judicial candidates. Video of the Judicial Forum we co-hosted with LWV Elmhurst is posted there.
Voter Registration Activities peaked with National Voter Registration Day on September 17. Voters registered at Glen Ellyn Public Library, Glenbard South, East and West High Schools and College of DuPage. Since then there have been events at several senior facilities and a newcomers event at HealthTrack.
We raised voter awareness at Oaktoberfest with flyers highlighting on-line registration, Plan Your Vote and Dos and Don’ts of Election Misinformation. A big thanks to our many volunteers.
Our new video “How to Vote in DuPage County” has been shared with local high schools, College of DuPage and our sister Leagues in DuPage County. NBC 5 Chicago News showcased our video during local news segments originally aired on September 24, https://www.lwvge.org/ways-to-vote. Thanks to our LWVGE colleagues Nicole Dejoris, Karin Daly, Judy Kinn, Barbara Kwiatkowsky -as well as colleagues in other Leagues-Melissa Nachman, Jan Dorner, Barb Laimins and Roberta Borrino, for advice, ideas and other resources.
High School Mock Elections are scheduled for three Glenbard high schools on October 28, 20 and November 1. Over 5000 students will watch our video “How to Vote in DuPage County”, learn about referendum/ballot measures and cast a mock ballot. Thank you to Karin Daly for her creativity and resources. You can watch the video yourself below!
Submitted by Gail Berstein and Deb Hornell, Voter Services
|  | |
Helping engage future voters at Oaktoberfest! Photos courtesy Layla Eloa Photography | |
|
More Local Elections? Yes, GLEN ELLYN elections! | |
|
CIVIC BETTERMENT COMMITTEE
Town Meeting and Election
GLEN ELLYN CIVIC CENTER- WIEDNER GYMNASIUM
VOTING AND TOWN MEETING:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2,
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The Civic Betterment Committee (CBC)’s mission is to provide a non-partisan nominating process that promotes quality municipal government for Glen Ellyn. The CBC recruits potential candidates for Village and Library elected offices, helps them understand the duties of the office, presents qualified candidates at the Town Meeting, and assists those selected by residents to navigate the municipal election process. Since 1931, most elected officials in Glen Ellyn have been candidates who have been selected in the CBC election.
Candidates to be selected in the CBC election will be for the following offices:
Village President (1); Village Trustee (3); Library Board (4) and Village Clerk (1).
Voting will take place at the Civic Center on November 2 from 8:00 am - 2:00pm. The Town Meeting will be held from 10:00-11:00 am. Candidates for office will give speeches at that meeting, and will be available during the hours of voting to speak with those in attendance. Voting will be suspended during the Town Meeting (10:00 -11:00 am.)
Other ways to Vote:
Remote Voting: Saturday, November 2, from 8:00 am- 2pm, at the Glen Ellyn Police Station, 65 S. Park Blvd.
Early Voting: Monday, October 28 – Wednesday, October 30, from 3:00- 7:00 pm, at the Glen Ellyn Public Library.
To Vote: Voters must be 18 years old on or before November 2, the day of the CBC election, and live in the corporate limits of Glen Ellyn. Voters will be asked for a valid form of identification. (Drivers’ License).
You can learn more about the candidates by visiting the Civic Betterment Committee's website here: https://civicbetterment.com/
Jared Davidson, Counsel at ‘Protect Democracy’, states, ‘Our democracy crisis may be playing out in the national news, but the soul of our democracy is local’. We urge all those of voting age to attend the CBC Town Meeting and to vote in the CBC election on November 2! Those who are selected will be on the ballot in the spring General Election. Unless other candidates choose to run as independents, those who are elected in the CBC election will be our local elected officials.
Submitted by Carrie Burrows & Sonja Faulkner
| |
 | |
Happening in Springfield
The last opportunity for bills introduced during the 103rd Assembly to make their way to become Illinois law is coming up in November during the veto session on November 12, 13,14 and 19, 20, 21. The LWVIL will release information to local Leagues on League-supported bills. Watch for information after November 5th. Your advocacy keeps League voices in front of elected officials throughout the year and supports the complex process of how a bill become Illinois law. https://www.ilga.gov/commission/lis/98bill_law.pdf
LWVIL Advocacy
Senator Laura Ellman, District 21 is bringing SB3971 back during the Veto Session. SB3971 Safe Gun Storage Act provides that a firearm owner shall not store or keep any firearm in any premises where the firearm owner knows, or reasonably should know, a minor without the lawful permission is likely to gain access to the firearm. The bill was referred to Assignments at the end of the regular session during the 103rd General Assembly.
Erica Nelson, Legislative Issues is presenting SB3971 to the LWVIL Issues Specialist for Gun Violence Prevention for consideration for Action. The Issues Specialist reviews requests based on current League positions.
LWVIL and local LWVGE positions are located on the LWVGE website under the “Advocacy” tab. https://www.lwvge.org/ Be informed. Select an area of interest. Join us. Email info@lwvge.org with your advocacy area of interest for Erica Nelson, Legislative Issues Director.
Step up. Join us. Sign up. https://www.lwvil.org/time-for-action-alerts
Submitted by Erica Nelson, Legislative Issues
| |
|
Charlotte Swett Walter Awards and Annual Member Awards Recipients
At our Annual Member Dinner in April 2024, LWVGE recognized some incredible members of our League and community at large. The winners of the Charlotte Swett Walter (CSW) Democracy Challenge were announced. Additionally, special recognition was given to our own members for their contributions as a new member, a member dedicated to Voter Services, and a member dedicated to Community Service. You can read all about the winners for the awards and see photos on our website.
Submitted by Jacquelyn Casazza, Voter Editor
| | |
|
CALENDAR
LWVGE Community Meetings noted in blue
Candidate Forums are highlighted
October 23, 2024 - Truth, Disinformation and the Media in the 2024 Election, 6p, virtual event, see LWVGE website for details
November 2, 2024 - Town Meeting and Local Elections for Village Trustee, President, Clerk, and Library Trustee, 8a-2p (meeting 10-11a)
November 5, 2024 - ELECTION DAY!
December 5, 2024 - Holiday Social
January 16, 2025 - State of the Village Meeting
February 1, 2025 - Program Planning
Defending Democracy Drop ins are held monthly at the Glen Ellyn and Wheaton Public Libraries. Time and date varies dependent on room availability; please check our website for details.
Plans for events are subject to change. To avoid disappointment, please check the LWVGE website for final details.
Questions about League events? Get details here:
www.lwvge.org
| Please visit our website for the most current information |
PO Box 2391, Glen Ellyn, IL 60138
(630) 790-2237
(630) 347-0922
| | | | |
