Current Studies

2009, Local Study: At the Annual Meeting in April the membership voted to undertake a fact-finding on the total costs of individual school districts. This information is to be prepared and illustrated to inform the public. If you are interested in participating in this endeavor contact Georgia Sandlin at 272-6076 or gsandlin@cox.net.

2009, Setting the Program:

• Criteria for selecting a study item
• State form for Jan.Voice meeting
• Selection of Pres for Feb. Voice meeting

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A STUDY ITEM
FOR LOCAL PROGRAM OR A SPECIAL REPORT

1. TIMING
   Is this the time for it? Is it a long or short term project?
2. POLITICAL CLIMATE
   Is the government giving priority to this issue? Should it be given a higher priority?
3. COMMUNITY AWAREMESS AND ATTITUDE
   How aware is the community of the issue? How aware can the League make the community? What is the community attitude toward the issue?
4. LEAGUE MEMBERS
   How aware are members of the issue? Do they care? Does the LWV have member capability to carry out action?
5. LEAGUE CIRCUMSTANCES
   Does our LWV have the people and time to work on this issue? Where does this study or project fit with our other goals and priorities? Can our LWV be effective?
6. ALLIES
   Who else is doing something about this issue? Who could join with us? If the League doesn't take it on, who will?
7. CONTROVERSY
   How controversial is the issue? Is the LWV willing and able to deal with controversy?
8. COST
   Is there enough money in the budget? What other funding sources are available?
9. PUBLIC RELATIONS
   What will this study or project do to the LWV's prestige and effectiveness in the community? Is media coverage possible?

—Adapted from LWVUS Leadership Training and LWVK Board Orientation materials

2009-2011 State Program Planning Form: print (PDF file) and mail or bring to January 2009 Tuesday Topics meeting. Form can be mailed to Marge Ahrens, 1238 SW Mulvane, 66604 or Georgia Sandlin, 2706 SW Indian Trail, 66614. You may also bring it to the January Tuesday Topics Meeting.

SELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT

The League's Position

Statement of Position on Selection of the President, as Announced by National Board, January 1970, Revised March 1982 and Updated June 2004:

The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the direct-popular-vote method for electing the President and Vice-President is essential to representative government. The League of Women Voters believes, therefore, that the Electoral College should be abolished. The League also supports uniform voting qualifications and procedures for presidential elections. The League supports changes in the presidential election system – from the candidate selection process to the general election. We support efforts to provide voters with sufficient information about candidates and their positions, public policy issues and the selection process itself. The League supports action to ensure that the media, political parties,candidates, and all levels of government achieve these goals and provide that information.

OUR LEAGUE WILL BE STUDYING THE NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE COMPACT. See National site for supporting information.

As stated in the Nov/Dec. VOTER, under the NPV Compact all of the electoral votes of each member state would go to the presidential candidate receiving the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This interstate compact would not go into effect until enough states have joined to guarantee the 270 electoral vote required to elect a president. It would be quite a change to our system but many feel it is more likely to happen than a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College.