Those members who virtually attended the LWVUS convention can be proud of how national
officers and staff handled the business and caucuses for 2,500 delegates and observers with
very few glitches. LWVUS is focused on Making Democracy Work issues, but also is trying not
to neglect other priority issues.


The following program items and resolutions passed:


● The abolition of the electoral college by Constitutional amendment as an action focus;


● The concurrence with LWV New Mexico on the Transfer of Federal Public Land;


● The Voter Representation/Electoral Systems Concurrence as presented in the Workbook
to support electoral systems at each level of government that encourage participation,
are verifiable,can be audited, and enhance representation for all voters. (Some of the
wording was controversial with Maryland Leaguers, but the idea of having a national
position that state and local Leagues could support won out.);


● Retaining all current LWVUS positions in the areas of representative government,
international relations, natural resources and social policy;


● The proposed LWVUS program for 2020-2022 Campaign for Making Democracy Work®:
ensuring a free, fair and accessible electoral system for all eligible voters by focusing on issues of 
Voting Rights, Improving Elections, and advocacy for the National Popular Vote Compact;
Campaign Finance/Money in Politics and Redistricting; and to continue to work on the urgent
issues of Climate Change, the Equal Rights Amendment, Health Care, Gun Safety, and
Immigration; 


● Reaffirming our commitment to Immigration reform, for efficient, expeditious immigrant
entry into the United States. The League stands in solidarity with immigrants and our
immigrant rights community partners. Congress must take immediate action to pass
common sense, fair immigration policies that end the crisis at our borders, end the
separation of families, ensure their health and safety, and provide a clear path to
citizenship, including DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) young people;


● We Resolve First, That the League advocates against systemic racism in the justice
system and, at a minimum, for preventing excessive force and brutality by law
enforcement. We also call for prompt actions by all League members to advocate within
every level of government to eradicate systemic racism, and the harm that it causes;


● We Resolve Second, That the League help our elected officials and all Americans
recognize these truths to be self-evident; that Black, Indigenous and all people of color
(BIPOC) deserve equal protection under the law; and that we demand solutions for the
terrible wrongs done, so that regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, and gender
identity or sexual orientation we may truly become a nation "indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all,” and finally;


● The LWVUS calls for an immediate, wide-scale, mobilization by the United States, to
restore, protect and fund an ecologically sustainable environment and climate, based on
an interrelated approach that is environmentally sound, science based, just and
equitable, dedicated to adequately addressing the scale and speed of the global climate
change emergency.


During the three days preceding the plenary sessions, there were many excellent caucuses presentations on
issues ranging from Getting Out the Vote, to Climate Change, to Encouraging Diversity, Health
Care, etc. Recordings can be found  at www.lwv.org/league-management/council-convention/2020-convention-virtual-caucuses-and-info-sessions

Laura Mettle

About

I grew up in Maryland, and have lived in Howard County since 1985, raising a family and working as a teacher for HCPSS until I retired. CurrentlyPresident of this League. I love to hear from members, so please email me.