The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan group of women (and men) that does not endorse candidates or parties but instead conducts studies and come to a member agreement on positions to achieve solutions that are in the best public interest on key community issues at the national and state level. We motivate people to get involved in the democratic process. We initiate programs that engage communities in promoting positive solutions to public policy issues through education and advocacy. It’s a grassroots membership base that is fueled by fairness and opportunity for all. Each person brings their ideas, talents, and willingness to dig in and make something positive happen. There is a respect for community and all voices that bring something to the table. The California chapters are incredibly diverse, just like our state.
With the midterm election rapidly approaching, I wanted to take time out to share some of the most significant positions that affect our young children and adolescents and ballot issues that you will be voting on November 6th. BALLOT RECOMMENDATIONS | PROs & CONs
Position on Child Care
Support state and local policies, legislation and programs that meet the need for accessible, affordable, and quality child care.
Position on Children and Family Issues Action Policy
Support policies and programs that promote the well being, development and safety of all children.
Position on Children at Risk
Support early intervention and prevention measures effective in helping children reach their full potential. The League supports policies and programs at all levels of the community and government that promote the well-being, encourage the full development and ensure the safety of all children.
Position on Equality of Opportunity
Support ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and efforts to bring laws into compliance with the goals of the ERA. Education, Employment and Housing. Support equal access to education, employment and housing.
Position on Federal Role in Public Education
Support federal policies that provide an equitable, quality public education for all children pre-K through grade 12.
Position on PreK-12 Education
Support a comprehensive pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade public education system that meets the needs of each individual student; challenges all students to reach their highest potential; develops patterns of lifelong learning and responsible citizenship. Support improvements in public education, based on access with both equitable and sufficient opportunities to learn for all students.
Position on Gun Safety
Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. Support regulation of firearms for consumer safety.
Position on Juvenile Justice and Dependency
Support a juvenile justice/dependency system that works to prevent child abuse and neglect and juvenile delinquency, that serves foster children and their families and status offenders, and that rehabilitates juvenile offenders, by promoting the safety and well-being of children and helping to prepare them for productive participation in society. Support early identification of at-risk children and families followed by appropriate referrals to services that work with children, youth, families and schools. Support community efforts to provide safe supportive environments for children and their families and institutions that respect them and promote non-violent solutions to problems. Support the rights and best interests of the child in preference to those of any other individual.
Position on Violence Prevention
Support violence prevention programs in communities.
Position on Urban Policy
Promote the economic health of cities and improve the quality of urban life.
Recommendations for the Election
Take a look at the ballot measures. BALLOT RECOMMENDATIONS
Be on the lookout for candidate forums in your area if you want to hear what they have to say.
If you have a question about the South Bay/Beach Cities Chapter, feel free to reach out. We handle Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Inglewood, and Hawthorne.
by Tonya McKenzie
Twitter: @PRBizMom
Facebook: Tonya McKenzie