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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The folks in Washington could learn a lesson perhaps from the League of Women Voters.
Since 1920, members of the nonpartisan organization have managed to get along while educating themselves and the public about various topics, even taking positions — civilly — on issues. And while it is “wholeheartedly political,” the organization does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
It wasn't until 1920, and the ratification of the 19th amendment that women in the United States were granted the right to vote. Carrie Chapman Catt formed the League of Women Voters nearly 100 years ago to encourage women to vote, and to inform them about the process of voting.
Barbara Butcher of Grand Junction joined the League of Women Voters of Mesa County in 1992, when she and her husband, a retired diplomat, moved to the valley after living overseas for many years.
Butcher once spoke Turkish and German, but “I didn't know how government worked in the U.S. having lived overseas,” she said.
So she joined the League of Women Voters.
Open to both men and women with local and state leagues nationwide, the group's mission as stated on the League of Women Voters website “encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.”
The organization is strictly nonpartisan.
“We are structured so we are blind to our members' political affiliation,” League of Women Voters of Mesa County president Tanya Travis said. “We encourage political action and involvement.”
The League is a three-tiered grassroots organization with local, state and national chapters.
“Most position-taking is done by the state league,” Butcher said. “We'd only take a position on a local issue.”
While not every member necessarily agrees on all aspects of positions the league takes, general agreements are reached through extensive and objective study of the issues, Travis said.
Hydraulic fracturing, a natural resource extraction method also known as fracking, is one issue that several local leagues across the state are studying, Travis said.
The local league has about 54 members who meet twice a month where candidates are invited to come introduce themselves, and where “experts” on both sides of an issue present their various perspectives. Meetings are held at Community Hospital, the Mesa Mall community room, or at city hall.
Presentations can be contentious at times, Butcher said. Like the meeting several years ago when a geologist and a scientist, both presenters, disagreed regarding the topic of global warming.
Guests also include local legislators twice a year who give legislative updates, Travis said.
The league publishes the Voters' Guide, both in English and in Spanish, to give voters factual information about candidates and issues. A committee gathers information for the guide by asking candidates for their biographies, as well as their positions on two specific issues deemed important to the community.
“We publish their words — as is — there's no editing,” Butcher said. “The guide is so well-respected that it is available in the clerk and recorders office.”
The Blue Book, published by the Legislative Council Staff, is often mistaken for a League of Women Voters publication.
“It's a separate, but parallel publication put together at the state level,” Travis said.
The Mesa County League has traditionally consisted heavily of Republican party members, although league members tend not to advertise their particular party to one another.
“Over time it comes out,” Butcher said. Although sometimes it's years before a member's political affiliation is known, she said.
That's because the organization is “well-branded as nonpartisan,” Travis said. “We do a lot these days to protect that.”
Monday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. the League will hold a public forum for school board candidates at Grand Junction City Hall, 250 N. Fifth St.
At the Leagues' Oct. 26 meeting at Mesa Mall community room, landmen will talk about the split estate issue and land mineral rights.
Travis is looking to recruit new and younger members to the organization. The league is open to U.S. citizens, 18 and older. Introductory membership is $35, with annual dues of $55.
“It's your responsibility to be an informed voter,” Travis said. “We are the government.”
“These meetings have restored my trust in human behavior.”
Since 1920, members of the nonpartisan organization have managed to get along while educating themselves and the public about various topics, even taking positions — civilly — on issues. And while it is “wholeheartedly political,” the organization does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
It wasn't until 1920, and the ratification of the 19th amendment that women in the United States were granted the right to vote. Carrie Chapman Catt formed the League of Women Voters nearly 100 years ago to encourage women to vote, and to inform them about the process of voting.
Barbara Butcher of Grand Junction joined the League of Women Voters of Mesa County in 1992, when she and her husband, a retired diplomat, moved to the valley after living overseas for many years.
Butcher once spoke Turkish and German, but “I didn't know how government worked in the U.S. having lived overseas,” she said.
So she joined the League of Women Voters.
Open to both men and women with local and state leagues nationwide, the group's mission as stated on the League of Women Voters website “encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.”
The organization is strictly nonpartisan.
“We are structured so we are blind to our members' political affiliation,” League of Women Voters of Mesa County president Tanya Travis said. “We encourage political action and involvement.”
The League is a three-tiered grassroots organization with local, state and national chapters.
“Most position-taking is done by the state league,” Butcher said. “We'd only take a position on a local issue.”
While not every member necessarily agrees on all aspects of positions the league takes, general agreements are reached through extensive and objective study of the issues, Travis said.
Hydraulic fracturing, a natural resource extraction method also known as fracking, is one issue that several local leagues across the state are studying, Travis said.
The local league has about 54 members who meet twice a month where candidates are invited to come introduce themselves, and where “experts” on both sides of an issue present their various perspectives. Meetings are held at Community Hospital, the Mesa Mall community room, or at city hall.
Presentations can be contentious at times, Butcher said. Like the meeting several years ago when a geologist and a scientist, both presenters, disagreed regarding the topic of global warming.
Guests also include local legislators twice a year who give legislative updates, Travis said.
The league publishes the Voters' Guide, both in English and in Spanish, to give voters factual information about candidates and issues. A committee gathers information for the guide by asking candidates for their biographies, as well as their positions on two specific issues deemed important to the community.
“We publish their words — as is — there's no editing,” Butcher said. “The guide is so well-respected that it is available in the clerk and recorders office.”
The Blue Book, published by the Legislative Council Staff, is often mistaken for a League of Women Voters publication.
“It's a separate, but parallel publication put together at the state level,” Travis said.
The Mesa County League has traditionally consisted heavily of Republican party members, although league members tend not to advertise their particular party to one another.
“Over time it comes out,” Butcher said. Although sometimes it's years before a member's political affiliation is known, she said.
That's because the organization is “well-branded as nonpartisan,” Travis said. “We do a lot these days to protect that.”
Monday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. the League will hold a public forum for school board candidates at Grand Junction City Hall, 250 N. Fifth St.
At the Leagues' Oct. 26 meeting at Mesa Mall community room, landmen will talk about the split estate issue and land mineral rights.
Travis is looking to recruit new and younger members to the organization. The league is open to U.S. citizens, 18 and older. Introductory membership is $35, with annual dues of $55.
“It's your responsibility to be an informed voter,” Travis said. “We are the government.”
“These meetings have restored my trust in human behavior.”
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM
The local League of Women Voters is hosting a school board candidate forum 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, at Grand Junction City Hall, 250 N. Fifth. St. The event is free and open to the public.
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