- For an overview of LWVGB projects, goals and accomplishments, also see past issues of The Voter, LWVGB's newsletter.
- Visit this page to view the news archive for other years.
- See the LWVGB home page for the most recent news.
LWVAL 2014 Council
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Bluff Park United Methodist Church
733 Valley Avenue
Hoover, AL
It was an "A-Mazing" Council! Thanks to all LWVGB members who volunteered and extended your warm hospitality to our Magic City guests. A council report will be posted soon on the LWVAL website.
LWVGB Co-hosted Nonpartisan Community Forum on Voting
The League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham cosponsored a "Nonpartisan Community Forum on Voting" on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the St. John AME Church, 708 15th Street, North, Birmingham, AL. This voter service program was presented to the public in collaboration with the Magic City Bar Association (MCBA), the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham (LWVGB), and the Upsilon Eta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA), Incorporated.
These topics were discussed:
- "The importance of Voting"
- "All about the new Alabama Voter Photo ID. Are you ready?"
- "Felons and Voter Restoration Process"
- "Alabama 2014 Election Calendar"
Citizens registered to vote at the forum IDs were taken for approved Alabama government photos.
This meeting was open to the public and was well attended.
LWVGB thanks these members of the host committee:
- Ida Tyree Hyche, Esq., UEO AKA Connection Committee Chair & Magic City Bar Chair, Community Outreach (and former LWVGB president!)
- Brooke Adams, UEO AKA President
- Tameka Wren, Esq., MCBA President
- Trish Crain, LWBGB President
- Rev. Mashod Evans, St. John Pastor
LWVGB Agriculture Update Consensus Meeting
On Sunday, March 16, 2014, members of the LWVGB came to consensus on questions regarding the League's position on agriculture in the United States. The members deliberated in the appropriate "great outdoors" of Tree House Room in the Vestavia Public Library.
A report of the consensus deliberation has been submitted to the national League of Women Voters. In the grass-roots tradition that has been followed by the League of Women Voters since 1920, member responses to the consensus questions will determine the League's updated national position on agriculture.
For member and public review, below are consensus information resources reviewed by members in answering the consensus questions. Many thanks to Nancy Ekberg, Connie Arnwine, Haley Colson and all members of the LWVGB Agriculture Study Committee for presenting this unbiased information in a neutral manner and guiding LWVGB members through the consensus process.
Agriculture Position Update
http://www.lwval.org/members/agriculture-position-update/
Includes the LWV discussion leaders packet and consensus questions
Agriculture in the United States
http://www.lwval.org/learn-vote/agriculture/
Unbiased information and balanced points of view
Agriculture Study Summary and Fact Sheets
Helpful condensed resources that summarize
this very complex subject
Not a member of the League of Women Voters? Join the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham to participate in future grassroots conversation that will help set the League's policy positions on local, state and national issues. Join the LWVGB.
Agriculture in the United States: A Public Discussion
Thank you for participating in the discussion of Agriculture in the U.S. held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4300 Hampton Heights Dr., Birmingham, AL on Sunday, February 23, 2014. A meeting report will be posted here soon. See photos of the event. Read the press release for this event.
Thank you Judge King and to all who turned out on Jan. 27, 2014 to learn about this important change in voting process. This page will be updated soon.
Photo Voter ID: What is this new requirement, and how will it affect your voting experience?
Guest Speaker Judge Alan L. KingMonday, January 27, 2014 @ 6:00 p.m.
Homewood Public Library
1721 Oxmoor Rd.
Birmingham, AL 35209
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-- press release --
Find out what you need to know about these new voting rules. What is a valid photo voter ID? If a voter does not have one, where and how can the voter get one? Will it cost the voter? Will it make voting in the state of Alabama more difficult? These and many more questions will be addressed in this informative meeting. Be prepared before going to the polls. League members will discuss ways in which we can educate and assist voters in obtaining an ID. We invite and encourage the public to attend.
More Information:
- Administrative Rules for Implementation of Photo Voter Identification Law issued by AL Secretary of State, Oct. 22, 2013.
- "Secretary of state issues final rules, and an exception, for photo voter ID" by Kim Chandler, blog.al.com, Oct. 22, 2013.
Birmingham Runoff Election News and Results
- Birmingham election runoff results - Fox 6 WBRC
- Collins, Gardner and Hendricks win seats on the Birmingham Board of Education - al.com Blog
- Birmingham voters return Rafferty, tap Lundy to City Council seats in runoff elections - al.com Blog
Did you miss the Oct. 8 runoff election?
"I missed the voter registration cutoff for this election but I want to vote next time! How do I get registered?"
We hear this a lot. Don't let another election slip up on you. Here's how to register to vote in future elections... Download a registration form and mail to the Jefferson County Registrar (JeffCo residents) or Shelby County Registrar (Shelby Co residents), OR register at one of these locations. The AL Secretary of State says you can "fill out and submit voter registration forms at all state and/or county offices that provide public assistance. In Alabama, public assistance offices, such as Medicaid, WIC, and DHR, must distribute voter registration forms, provide assistance in completing the forms if necessary, and accept such forms."
Have you moved since you last voted? If so, register with your new address.
Are you sure you're registered? Check here to check your registration status and polling place or call the Jefferson County Registrar at 205 325-5550. Shelby County residents call the Shelby County Board of Registrars at 205 669-3913.
LWVGB Holiday Luncheon
Dec. 7, 2013
Members were reminded that holiday shopping at iGive.com/LWVAL (http://www.igive.com/LWVAL) benefits the LWVAL Education Fund. At iGive.com there are over 1200 well-known stores, it doesn't cost the shopper a penny extra, and the LWVAL Education Fund receives a small percentage of each purchase amount. No parking problems, no lines, no hassles and LWVAL-EF benefits. Click here to find out more about how iGive.com works and start shopping. (Works all year long!)
You are awesome, Greater Birmingham!
On Thurs., September 26, 2013, LWVGB held it's annual Membership Mixer at Alamerica Bank, 2170 Highland Avenue South on Birmingahm's Southside. What a fantastic turnout! You really showed how much you care about our community and confidence in the League to help move us forward. We'll have a few pics posted soon.
Thank you, especially, to those of you who joined or renewed your membership in LWVGB that evening! We greatly appreciate your membership, contributions - wo/man power and financial - and steadfast support. LWVGB is a grassroots organization, and we cannot do the work we do without you.
And many thanks to Alamerica Bank for providing this wonderful venue and our refreshments!
It's still not too late to join the League of Women Voters for 2013-2014. LWVGB membership is well worth your time and financial support.
- Here's just some of what we've accomplished recently.
- Here's how to join LWVGB or renew your membership.
Thank you, Sarah McDonald, for leading an excellent LWVGB Board orientation and planning session on Sunday, June 30! Many thanks also to Barbara Powell for opening her home to us and her most gracious hospitality.

6/25/2013 -- LWV Reacts to Supreme Court Decision on the Voting Rights Act
Supreme Court erases protections against racial discrimination in voting. Congress must act quickly to restore the Voting Rights Act
Washington, D.C. – “Today is a sad day in America: Through its decision in Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder, the U.S. Supreme Court erased fundamental protections against racial discrimination in voting that have been effective for more than 40 years,” said Elisabeth MacNamara, President of the League of Women Voters of the U.S. “Only strong action from Congress can fix this huge mistake made by the Court.”
Read the full statement by the LWV of the United States.
Read NVRA background.
ATTENTION, LWVGB BOARD MEMBERS
Board Training and Planning
Sun., June 30, 2013 12:00 - 5:30 p.m.
(This Sunday afternoon!)
at the Home of Barbara Powell
Training & Planning Leader: Sarah McDonald
All LWVGB board members, your attendance is very important. We are pleased to have past AL and Birmingham League president Sarah McDonald to lead this training and orientation session. She has returned to Alabama for this weekend to lead both the state and local training and planning sessions. Thank you, Sarah!
League members may attend this meeting. Please let Barbara Powell know if you are coming. Also, LWVGB board members, please bring your personal calendar for LWVGB calendar planning. More details about the meeting will be sent to you soon.
UPDATE: Members, thank you for attending this meeting and lending your voice. Updates to LWVGB business documents and board members as were approved by the membership will soon be posted.
LWVGB Annual Business Meeting
June 13, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
Niki's West
233 Finley Avenue West
Birmingham, AL 35204
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Members, don't miss the annual business meeting! It's important that you attend and lend your voice and vote. We are a grassroots organization.This is your opportunity to set the course for our League in the coming year. LWVGB program, budgets, bylaws changes, and elections are on the agenda. Be sure to look at the "Documents for Member Consideration" linked below before attending so that you'll be prepared to add your voice and vote. Mark your calendar now, and we'll see you June 13, 6 p.m. at Niki's.
Meeting Agenda
Documents for Member Consideration
NOTE: These business documents are in the members' area of the LWVGB website. All documents except proposed budgets are in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format. Budgets are in Excel .xlsx format. If you are a member and need access or viewing assistance, please contact Jean Johnson at jjohnson@lwvgb.org, 205 222-2097 cell, or 205 870-3063.- Proposed LWVGB 2013-2014 Program – Issue Positions, Studies, Issues for Emphasis - Board recommends that LWVGB adopt the 2012-2013 Program with no changes.
- Proposed LWVGB and LWVGB Ed Fund Budgets for 2013-2014
- Proposed LWVGB Bylaws Revisions
- Nominating Committee 2013-2014 Slate of Officers and Directors
See you June 13
The League in Greater Birmingham - Past Accomplishments, Future Goals
LWVGB current and future presidents held a discussion in the "Be Birmingham" segment of "The Alabama Way," ION Station WPXH-TV 44, Thursday, May 30, 2013 and re-aire Tuesday, June 4, 2013.
The coming year 2013-2014 will be a very active one for the League. Part of the LWVGB discussion on Tuesday morning focused on the League's Observer Corps and what role it might play in keeping the public informed about public affairs in the Greater Birmingham community. Government transparency and accountability are foremost concerns for LWVGB. Also, the Birmingham mayoral and city council elections are coming up in October. For 93 years, the League of Women Voters has had an excellent reputation as a nonpartisan voter service organization. Rest assured, the League will be assisting and educating voters and encouraging all to be active participants in our democracy!
LWVGB thanks ION Station WPXH-TV 44 and Station Manager Ms. Debra Perry for scheduling this interview on the "Be Birmingham" segment of "The Alabama Way" and for giving the League permission to post this segment.
ION TV
WPXH-TV 44
LWVGB
