© 1999 - 2005 League of Women Voters of Alabama and
League of Women Voters of the United States

The Voter
Fall 2005 Edition

Published November 13, 2005

The Voter is the quarterly newsletter of the League of Women Voters of Alabama. The printed edition is re-formatted here for web publication with index and links added. Web Editor's navigational notes are added in [bracketed italics].

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President's Message

Our hearts go out to all in our state and region who suffered the wrath of Katrina and Rita. Some League communities in our region are coping with rebuilding their communities. All of us are addressing issues at the core of our organization’s mission. 
 
Louisiana Leagues are involved with rebuilding issues and serving on the State Task Force that is putting together a plan for including displaced New Orleans residents in upcoming elections. LWVLA has also developed a Bucks 4 Books project that you can read about in this Voter.
The LWV Mississippi agenda has focused on three off-year State House of Representative elections that were delayed but have now taken place, due in part to Mississippi’s computerized voter registration system that is up and running.  Rebuilding will begin when building code revisions and financing for infrastructure such as schools are in place. 

LWVUS joined other organizations in signing a letter to the House of Representatives to oppose “legislative proposals that weaken public health and environmental protections for citizens living along the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.”  LWVAL is developing an article on coastal environmental protections that we think Alabama needs to address.
 
LWV of Georgia joined other voting rights advocates in opposition to a law passed this year that reduces acceptable voter IDs at the polls from 17 to six state-issued photo IDs.  The stated purpose of the law was to curb voter fraud.  The group that brought the case says the law “violates the state and federal constitutions, the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the 1964 Civil Rights Act” and will disenfranchise many elderly, poor, disabled and minority voters. Opponents also say the argument for the law does not include evidence of voter fraud at the polls and that the frequently cited 1996 case was one in which individuals were convicted of buying absentee votes, not voter fraud at the polls.

In granting the injunction that put the Georgia law on hold for the November 8, election, federal district Judge Harold Murphy said, “  . . . the Court observes that it has great respect for the Georgia legislature.  The Court, however, simply has more respect for the Constitution.” Further court action will decide if the Georgia law is constitutional. LWVAL will stay tuned.

This is prime time for our Legislative Study and grassroots participation.  See the reminder in this Voter on how to access study materials on the LWVAL member web site. You can read Ruth Wright’s article on the benefits of the study in this Voter.

We remind Leagues that the Open Meetings Manual for Alabama Public Officials, available on the Attorney General’s web site at www.ago.Alabama.gov is a great aid to observers who are monitoring local government compliance with the law. LWVAL is one of the organizations represented on the Alabama Open Records Task Force that is addressing another open government issue.  Sandy Robinson, our Task Force representative, writes about the work of the ORTF in this Voter.  Nancy Ekberg is representing LWVAL on a steering committee that will plan a statewide summit on public transportation tentatively scheduled for March 2006. See the winter Alabama Voter for more on this project.

All of us on the state board wish you a joyous holiday season and spirited discussions as you help decide the Legislative Study consensus. 

-- Becky Sylvester,
LWVAL President


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Benefits of a Successful State Legislative Study  

In 2003 the chief impetus for adoption of a study of the Alabama Legislature was to update LWVAL’s positions that dated from the Wallace years when the Governor dominated the Legislature. Because the League permits advocacy only after study and member agreement, we don’t have positions to address legislative practices and procedures.

If Local Leagues reach consensus, the study committee and state board can craft a position statement for consideration at the 2006 Council that addresses legislative practices and procedures. If approved at Council in 2006, the League positions and supporting information can be used to lobby the Legislature before the January 2007 organizing session.
   
A fair question for League members is whether this study can make a difference in the real world of the Legislature. Studies of successful legislative reform demonstrate that the key factor in successful reform is strong leadership. In many cases reviewed, leaders built
on reform ideas already afloat in the nation or the state.  Our study research considered  objectively a range of ideas that are afloat by examining Alabama in the context of other state legislatures, interviewing individual legislators, and conducting an anonymous survey of all legislators to validate the information from interviews.  The information collected will enable LWVAL to make the case for whatever positions emerge through membership agreement in the statewide consensus process.   Good debate and informed discussion in every Local League will greatly increase our chances of getting good positions and ultimately making a difference

The Study Can Educate Us and Benefit League Activities:  In addition to producing an updated state legislative position, the study can enhance the ability of Leagues to craft questions for candidate forums for primary and general elections.

Knowledge of legislative procedures can improve our state and local advocacy efforts.  Our recognition that negotiation and compromise are part of the legislative process can convey the message that we understand the complexity of decisions that legislators face. [See Briefing Paper on Citizen Access [doc, pdf, rtf] and The Case for Representative Democracy: What Americans Should Know About their Legislatures.

Understanding of existing practices on such developing topics as the role of parties and    caucuses can provide League members with early insight into what may arise so that they can help shape constructive developments and attitudes.  [See Briefing Paper: Role of Parties and Caucuses [doc, pdf, rtf].]
-- Ruth Wright,
LWVAL Program Chair


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FIND STUDY MATERIALS ON-LINE.  
Share with friends who don’t have Internet access.
 
To view Legislative Study Information go to:
http://www.lwsval.org/legstudy/members/   
Type lwval as username and
Type alconref (stands for Alabama Constitutional Reform) as password.

For information on the Consensus Process see the Introduction and Instructions for Members section of the Legislative Study. Click the fourth item, Consensus Policy [doc, pdf, rtf]
 
If you have any problems with access, notify
Jean Johnson
205-870-3063.

Make committees or pose any questions to the study committee through
Ruth L. Wright
or mail to Ruth at
125 Cary Drive
Auburn, AL  36830

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Tips on Getting Signatures on That ACCR Petition

The following tips from the political activist organization MoveOn are well worth considering as we try to have 100,000 signatures to present to the Legislature at the opening of the 2006 session. Try these ideas.  You cannot sit down and get signatures.  You must meet everyone up front, and ready.  Practice ahead of time with your fellow-volunteers.  Word your approach carefully, something like this:

“I have a petition for you.  Hundreds have signed this petition to ask our legislators to call for a citizen’s convention to write us a new Alabama Constitution.  Please join us in urging them to do this as soon as the Legislature goes in session in February.  Sign here.” 


 Keep on keeping on!
 
-- Jeanne Lacey and Pat Siano, LWV Baldwin County

MoveOn Tips
  • Open with the statement, “I have a petition for you.” 
  • Make sure that any clipboard top page already has several signatures, and include a sheaf of previously signed petitions under the first page.  People will sign if they feel they are not alone.
  • When people sign, don’t bombard them with flyers unless they request a supply.
  • Don’t embellish your ironing board with stacks of informational flyers, which can be intimidating or off-putting.  Instead, relate to people as a straightforward, helpful fellow citizen.
  • Don’t waste time trying to convince people who want to monopolize your time.  Just move on to reach the person who sympathizes with your cause.

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LWVAL Participating in the Open Records Study Task Force

One of the League Principles states…The League of Women Voters believes that democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.

The Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Open Meetings Act* this spring.  Now they are addressing the Open Records Law.  House Joint Resolution 90 created the Alabama Open Records Study Task Force to study current Alabama law and provide for new proposed legislation to reform access to public records in Alabama.  This Task Force, chaired by Representative Blaine Galliher and Senator Zeb Little, is made up of about 40 representatives as specified in the resolution, including one from the League of Women Voters of Alabama.  

The initial meeting of the Legislative Study Task Force held in October brought the committee together, explained the current law, and established subcommittees.  The five subcommittees will address the following topics – 

  1. definition of public records
  2. exemption to the Open Records Law
  3. procedures for accessing a public record 
  4. penalties for failure to comply with the Open Records Law and 
  5. issues relating to ownership and disposition of public record.


Although HJR90 stated that the recommendations for proposed legislation are to be reported to the Legislature by the beginning of the 2006 Regular Session, the study will take longer and recommendations will be ready for the 2007 Legislative Session.  The next Task Force meeting is scheduled for December 6th. 

In preparation for the study and work to be done by the Task Force, plenty of reading material was given to the committee members.  The Alabama Legislative Reference Service compiled a notebook, which includes the current open records law in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia, other state freedom of information laws, and Alabama Senate Bill 293, 1992 Regular Session (never made it out of committee).   The Virginia law is considered the model open records law.  Also distributed was the 46-page booklet, The Federal Information Manual – How the Government Collects, Manages, and Discloses Information under FOIA and Other Statutes.

A suggestion was made at the last Task Force meeting to post work-in-progress information on the Internet.  Watch for further updates in the next LWVAL VOTER. 

-- Sandy Robinson

*The Alabama Open Meetings Act, which was signed into law on March 15th of this year, requires meetings held by a governmental body to be open to the public with certain exceptions, defines a governmental body and many other terms, specifies subjects on which certain agencies and other governmental bodies may meet in executive sessions, and provides for civil penalties for violations of the law.  (LWVAL VOTER, Spring 2005)

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News from the Local Leagues


AUBURN

Last spring we launched a new monthly meeting in addition to our general meetings. This rather informal noon meeting is limited to City Issues. Some members felt we just didn't have time to discuss so many issues that come up about the city. We usually don't have a speaker, but we rely on our members who are regular attendees at city council meetings, planning and zoning meetings, Auburn city school, and some advisory committees. We plan at the end of each meeting what topic should be discussed at the next meeting. Some of our members have a wealth of knowledge and they are able to share it with us. Since we meet at noon it doesn't suit everyone, but we generally have 10-15 attendees. I believe those attending would say it has been very informative and a great success.

-- Marilyn Garrett


BIRMINGHAM

Efforts this year will focus on reorganizing the Observer Corp (with particular emphasis on Birmingham Water Board and Jefferson County Commission), Voters Service citizen education and support for constitutional reform, including participation in Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform's (ACCR's) petition drive for a 2006 Citizens Convention. Additionally, we will participate in "good, old fashioned" debate and consensus on LWVAL's study of the Alabama legislature.

On Saturday, September 10, LWVGB members Dot Baker, Kaydee Erdreich-Breman, Jessie Tehranchi and Yvonne Brakefield attended the first meeting of Common Ground. This summit was designed to empower citizens of the Birmingham region to build, participate in and benefit from an equitable and healthy community, environment and economy. The focus for this first meeting was to develop a community-wide vision in the areas of participatory government, regional transportation, environment, public health and sustainable communities.

LWVGB and www.al.com teamed up to provide an online, interactive candidate’s forum for the Birmingham City Council elections. Because we are a non-partisan organization with a good history of reputably managing election issues for citizen education, the Birmingham News asked us to sponsor the forum. The site was up and running by September 12 and continued through Election Day (October 11th).
 
Our flier, formerly known as Representative At Your Fingertips, has been updated and is currently available on our web site at www.bham.net/lwvgb/ , thanks to the work of Sarah McDonald, Leslie O'Neil, Colette Scott, and Judith Hand .

-- Yvonne Brakefield


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IN MEMORIAM:  MAXINE ROSSER

The League of Women Voters of Alabama lost a good friend and faithful member in the death of Maxine Rosser of Gadsden on October 31, 2005. Her dedication to the League and to the democratic process is exemplified by her family's choice for her tombstone inscription, "Go Vote."

Maxine was a founder of the Gadsden League. For many years, she served as president and spearheaded the work of that League. No one was better than Maxine at working with legislators.

As a state board member, she produced the Facts and Issues on Alabama environmental concerns, laws and agencies that remains a valuable reference source.

The Board of the League of Women of Alabama expresses its deepest sympathy to her husband, Ellis, and their family.

Mailing address for cards to Ellis Rosser and the Rosser family:

Ellis Rosser and Family
224 Azalea Dr
Gadsden, AL 35901


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LWV Louisiana’s Education Fund Bucks for Books Project:  LWVLA-EF is asking Leaguers to help raise funds for grants to school districts that have enrolled students displaced by Katrina or Rita.  All funds raised will be granted to school districts that apply for funds to cover the cost of textbooks, educational materials and equipment for Katrina-Rita student evacuees.  Grants will be based on the number of displaced students within the district.  The campaign will end June 30, 2006.  Grant applications postmarked by the closing date and which meet program criteria will be processed to the fullest extent of the funds donated.  No administrative fees will be charged. A diverse committee will review the grant applications.  Please email Becky Sylvester,  bandbsyl@charter.net, to request a copy of the official Bucks 4 Books project letter.

If you want to contribute to the Louisiana Bucks 4 Books project:

•  Make checks payable to the League of Women Voters of Louisiana Education Fund.  Memo the check for “Bucks 4 Books.”

•  Mail the check to LWVLA-EF at P.O. Box 4451, Baton Rouge, LA 70802-4451.

The LWVAL Board deeply shares LWVAL’s concern for helping children and their families that displaced by Katrina and Rita.   But we decided that our resources should go directly to local schools or school districts in Alabama that have enrolled some 5,455 displaced students from Louisiana and Mississippi.  We encourage Alabama Leaguers to make their own decisions.

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New LWVUS Web Site

LWVUS now has a new, improved, user-friendly web site at www.lwv.org. League members visiting for the first time will need to register in order access the members' site. Here’s how...
  1. Go to www.lwv.org/PreRegister/ and fill out the form. You only need to fill out the first 3 fields if LWVUS already has your email address. Use the "Tab" key (not the “Enter” key) or use your mouse to move from one entry field to the next field. When finished, click "Submit." An email will be sent to you that will contain your temporary or initial password. If you don't receive it within 10 minutes, check your spam folder.
  2. Follow the link in the e-mail and use the temporary password that was e-mailed to you to log in. The system IS case-sensitive, so it is easiest to cut and paste the password directly from the e-mail into the field. After this initial log in, you can click “Change password” to change your password to something you prefer and can easily remember. It should be at least8 characters long. Remember to hit "submit" after making the change.
  3. Once you have changed your password, click on Session Sign-off and return to the LWV web site to Login at www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Login .
If you have any questions, contact Jean Johnson at jjohnson@brooknet.com or 205 870-3063.

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Support the LWVAL Ed Fund by Shopping!

The holiday season is upon us. This is just a reminder that you can help the League of Women Voters of Alabama Education Fund by shopping on-line at MyCause.com or iGive.com. If you start your on-line shopping on either of these two sites and designate LWVAL as your preferred charity, their affiliate merchants will contribute a portion of your purchase amount to the LWVAL Education Fund at no cost to you.

There are hundreds of well-known stores in which to shop. And hey, there's no finding a parking place, no trudging the mall with all your bags, and no waiting in line! Most importantly, it's secure.

So, please go to iGive.com or MyCause.com to do your holiday shopping this year, and thanks so much for supporting the LWVAL Education Fund!

-- Jean Johnson





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LWVAL Board Resignation

The LWVAL Board has accepted the resignation of Director Beth Kellum. Beth recently submitted her resignation in accordance with the League's non-partisan policy. She is seeking election to the Alabama Court of Criminal Apeals. We thank Beth for her dedicated service on the Board of the LWVAL over the past several years.

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LWVAL Board of Directors

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