LWVJOCo VOTER INFORMATION COMMITTEE
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government. Providing voters with information to help them make informed decisions is critical to the mission of the League of Women Voters of Johnson County (LWVJoCo).
WHO IS ON THE VOTER INFORMATION COMMITTEE AND WHAT DO THEY DO?
The Voter Information Committee is a BUSY committee working to educate members and the public about candidates for local, state, and federal offices in Johnson County and Wayandotte County. The Voter Information Committee also provides information about issues aligned with League positions. The Committee work is accomplished through information management related to the following five LWVJoCo programs/activities:
- Vote 411
- Voter to Voter
- Legislative Coffees
- Candidate Forums
- Youth Programs
VOTE 411
Launched by the national League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) in October of 2006, VOTE411 is a "one-stop-shop" for all election related information. The website VOTE411.org provides information to the public with both general and state-specific information on the election process. All local, state, and federal election race information is displayed on this site. VOTE411 gathers contact information about the candidates running for office and crafts questions for the races. The team is fortunate to have interactions with candidates running for office and get a peek behind the scenes of the many campaigns. Throughout an election, all league members are encouraged to contact the candidates on their ballot to encourage and thank candidates for participating in VOTE411.
VOTER TO VOTER
LWVJoCo “Ambassadors” contact friends and family members about upcoming elections and help them navigate through the election process. During the last election, LWVJoCo had 33 Ambassadors who contacted 533 voters -- both registered and “low propensity” voters. Ambassadors are now preparing for the upcoming Johnson and Wayandotte County Municipal Primaries on August 1. The Voter Information Committee recommends that every league member join our Voter to Voter team and help mentor the low propensity voters in your circle of influence.
LEGISLATIVE COFFEES
During 2023, LWVJoCo conducted eight Legislative Coffees throughout Johnson and Wayandotte County. Through these Saturday morning gatherings, attendees heard from and were able to talk with candidates directly. League members invited legislators from a specific area to participate in a question-and-answer sessions with voters who attended the meetings. Our volunteers work with the libraries to set up the events and on the day of the event the volunteers monitor questions, staff the refreshment table, greet guests, set up and clean up.
CANDIDATE FORUMS
During the election cycle the team identifies races that have less focus from the media and invites the candidates to meet with the voters. We work with partners in the community to set up either a Candidate Forum or Candidate Meet and Greet. The team plans the event and on the day of the event the volunteers monitor questions, staff the refreshment table, greet guests, and help with set up and clean up.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
The past few years, the Voter Information team ran Voter Girl for grade-school-aged Girl Scouts in partnership with several other leagues and the Girl Scout Council. This coming year the team is looking to focus on older students closer to voting age. If you have a group of young people who would benefit from civic and voter information we would be interested in building a program for them.
HOW CAN LEAGUE MEMBERS HELP WITH COMMITTEE WORK?
The following is a list of opportunities for LWVJoCo members to get involved in the work of this Committee:
Voter Information wants ALL LEAGUE MEMBERS to realize that it is critical for the League's message to reach OUTSIDE OF OUR BUBBLE.
The Voter Information Committee asks all members to:
--Attend as many league events as possible and bring along non-members.
--Ask your friends and relatives how we can reach more of the community with our message and let Voter Information know their ideas.