League of Women Voters
of Central New Mexico
Serving Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia, and Torrance Counties
(Updated 1/24/2012)
(Updated 1/24/2012)
FacebookThe League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. We encourage you to become a member!
On April 21, 2012, the League of Women Voters of New Mexico and all four local Leagues will host the Salute to New Mexico - the first 100 years and beyond. This fundraising gala honors the centennial of New Mexico's statehood. There will be a dinner, awards to community leaders, entertainment speakers, a raffle - and a silent auction. For more details, check out the Salute page.
Born from the Women's Suffrage Movement, the League has always been in the forefront to expand the franchise and knock down barriers to voting. We have made a concerted effort to fight actions to disenfranchise citizens. Although the challenges to voting have always been there, this past year a wave of anti-voter legislation has swept over the United States. More than a dozen states have passed new obstacles to voting.
Kansas and Alabama require new voters to provide proof of citizenship before registering. Florida has new laws that make it extremely difficult for groups like the League to register new voters and along with several other states has cut back the time for early voting. In 2011 seven new states passed photo ID laws, bringing the total to 15 states that require voters show a photo ID in order to vote. The specifics vary, but an alarming trend is evident. New rules are making it harder for Americans to access the ballot box. If voting is the heart of our democracy, we may soon be on life support.
Come join fellow League members for the January units on voting rights, election laws and the challenges ahead!
Jan 12, 11:45am (Luncheon meeting)
Daniel Ivey-Soto, former Director of the state Bureau of Elections, has worked on bills that have amended, repealed and recompiled over 350 sections of the state Election Code and regularly testifies before the Legislature and executive branch.
Reservations are due by Monday, Jan 9, 10:00am. The cost of the luncheon is $17; please specify if you prefer the vegetarian plate. You can call the office (884-8441) or send an email to lunch@lwvcnm.org. Everyone is welcome, both members and non-members.
Jan 10, 6pm
Laurie Waukee, executive director of the Native American Voters Alliance (NAVA).
Jan 16, 1:30pm
Josephine Porter, League lobbyist on election and voting issues and editor of the LWVCNM Voters' Guide
Jan 23, 10:00am
Paul Stokes, coordinator for United Voters of New Mexico and researcher in arms control compliance verification at Sandia Labs.
For additional details and locations of Unit Meetings, go to the Calendar page.
The December 2011 Voter is now online. Look for articles about the upcoming Salute to New Mexico and Program Planning. You can view or download back issues of the Voter by checking the Newsletters page.
The Evening Unit, which meets on the second Tuesday each month at 6pm, will be meeting in a new location for the immediate future. Instead of the Erna Fergussen library, the Evening Unit will meet at the Towers Apartment community room, located at 5404 Montgomery NE. The September 13 meeting will feature a discussion of the current challenges and future outlook for the Mid Rio Grande Conservancy District.
The popular Who's Who, listing all your elected officials and how to contact them, is being updated to reflect the results of the October Albuquerque election and other changes that took place in 2011. Until the new version comes out in January 2012, you can download a copy of the 2011 issue here. Hardcopies are available at libraries and the League office. The Who's Who is a publication of the League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico Education Fund (a 503(c) organization).
The 2011-12 Voters Key, a publication of the state League, is available as well at libraries, the League offices throughout the state, and online. (PDF format, 207 KB). The Voters Key is a publication of the League of Women Voters of New Mexico Education Fund, a 503(c) organization.