Left to Right: Colleen Feige, president of League of Women Voters of Edina; Mary Stanton, volunteer; Nancy Reed, secretary; and Susan Clark, vice president and voter service chair. Photo: Laura Westlund
Elections result in new government officials and revised legislation, but one constant through political change is the League of Women Voters (LWV), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to citizen participation in government and the promotion of democracy. The local chapter, League of Women Voters of Edina (LWVE), has been vital in our community for decades. It emphasizes the importance of voter education and participation, especially in local elections.
LWVE sponsors candidate forums for municipal, county and state elections, such as city council, school board and the Minnesota legislature. These forums are available to view online after the public events, serving as a resource for voters prior to elections. LWVE also coordinates voter registration throughout the city and has a presence at many community gatherings, providing information on voting, candidates and the political process.
Annual membership in the LWV is open to all genders, age 16 or older and includes national, state and local levels of the organization. The Edina chapter has more than 150 members. It meets regularly on Zoom and in person for presentations by a variety of speakers. It also offers opportunities to plan local activities, join a book group or focus on research and communication about a specific policy or community concern.
For more information or to become involved in LWVE, go to lwvedina.org or write lwvedina@gmail.com.
Contributed by Laura Westlund, an arts writer, editor and Art Hound for Minnesota Public Radio.
