League of Women Voters of Maryland

It is with great pride that I write this message to Maryland League members. Just hours ago we completed a session of LWVMD workshops on Immigration and Voter Service in which 70 members from across the state traveled to Baltimore City to participate. This wonderful turnout reaffirms my belief that League members are among the most committed, educated and active citizens in our state. Our lunch speaker was Kimberly Haven, the Executive Director of Justice Maryland, the state’s leading statewide criminal justice advocacy organization. In this capacity, Kimberly led a coalition of organizations, including the League, which were instrumental in pursuing successful legislation earlier this year to re-enfranchise tens of thousands of Maryland citizens who had previously been unable to vote because of a felony conviction. She charged League members to include these newly Enfranchised citizens in their membership and their work. And she shared with us her new mission --changing Maryland law that currently permanently prohibits some citizens from being called for jury service, because of a prior conviction. Certainly sounds like something we should educate ourselves about. For our workshops, Pat Hatch helped local Leaguers understand the process of presenting the LWVUS Immigration Study at consensus meetings, and Joan Trafton and Janeen Grohsmeyer led a session on how to prepare voters’ guides for the Maryland primary election, just four and a half months away. These educational programs were followed by an interesting discussion about the potential special session to deal with our state’s budget deficit, and whether or not the League should oppose the calling of a special session. Barbara Coit, LWVMD’s representative on the StopSlots coalition gave us some information about the perils of a special session and other Leaguers spoke in favor of a special session, to prevent a 2008 General Assembly that is all-budget, all the time, denying legislators the opportunity to pass legislation related to other important issues. Your LWVMD Board needs input from local Leagues over the next month in several areas. Local League recommendations for legislative priorities are due by October 15th and suggestions for voters’ guide questions for U.S. House of Representative candidates are due by October 23rd. Over the next few months Leagues will be holding meetings and arriving at consensus on the Immigration Study, continuing to meet on our state studies – Adult Literacy and Administration of Justice - and gearing up for voter service, including candidates’ forums and voters’ guides. These activities are in addition to the many local League activities and events designed to educate and entertain you. The opportunities for active League participation are endless – jump in! Lu Pierson