LWVAL Home Page Archive 2015 - 2016

Articles posted in this year on the LWVAL website are archived here. The fiscal year is June 1 - May 31 of the following year.

  • For an overview of LWVAL projects, goals and accomplishments, also see past issues of The Voter, LWVGB's newsletter.
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LWVAL goes forward to study a pressing public issue, examines state of voting rights and media relations

A look at LWVAL Council 2016

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Should the League of Women Voters undertake a new study of a concerning public issue? What is the current state of voting rights in Alabama? And how should Leagues interact with the media? There was much to be considered by those who attended the LWVAL 2016 Council. The council was held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Montgomery, AL on May 14, 2016. Carrying out the business of the League, delegates voted to study the issue of payday loans in Alabama. It was suggested that online payday loan operations and loans incurred by those in legal jeopardy might be included in the research. However, the League hopes to have an established position on this issue in place by the next general AL legislative session. Members therefore voted to limit the study to storefront payday loan businesses in the state.

Delegates and guests discussed voter registration and ID and issues concerning voting accessibility with expert panelists. Panelists were Ed Packard, Director of Elections, Election Division, Office of Alabama Secretary of State; Stephen Stetson, Policy Analyst (Consumer and Human Rights Issues), Alabama Arise Citizens’ Policy Project; and Geron Gadd, Senior Staff Attorney, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP). The panel was moderated by Hattie Kaufman of the League of Women Voters of Greater Tuscaloosa.

In the afternoon, attendees heard from renowned Alabama journalists. LWVAL leaders were interested to learn about best practices for interaction with the media, garnering event coverage, and the current state of print, broadcast, and online journalism. Guest panelists were Charles L. “Chuck” Dean, Journalist, Alabama Media Group and The Birmingham News; Carol Nunnelley, Journalist and Founder, Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism and Birmingham Watch.org;Rachel Lindley, News Director, WBHM, 90.3 FM (NPR Birmingham); and Troy Turner, Editor, Opelika-Auburn News. The panel was moderated by Jean Johnson of the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham.

Many thanks to LWV of Montgomery, host League, for your warm hospitality, and to LWVAL Board for an outstanding council.

See the photos.

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