Education fund.

ELECTION REFORM

The League has developed five areas of concern to guide its work at the federal level on election reform issues in 2005. These areas are: provisional balloting, statewide computerized voter registration lists, voting systems, polling place operations, and poll worker recruitment and training.

In early March, the LWVEF hosted a lively forum, "Election Reform--Where Do We Go From Here?" A select group of 45 leading election officials, activists from citizen organizations, academics, journalists and other experts from across the country participated in this off-the-record discussion. Six panels of experts discussed issues, including statewide voter registration databases; provisional balloting; polling place operations; the impact of voting technology; the challenges facing the election workforce (both election administrators and poll workers); and what new approaches could be developed to improve the elections process. Participants enjoyed the unique opportunity to explore issues in give-and-take discussions leading to enhanced understanding among practitioners, activists and academics. See page 11; access full report at www.lwv.org.

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LWVEF successfully completed the latest phase of its work on the "Our Democracy, Our Airwaves" campaign, a nationwide public education effort to revitalize competition in our democratic process by ensuring that the public airwaves serve as a forum for open and vibrant political debate, especially among candidates. With funding from the Alliance for Better Campaigns, Leagues nationwide have engaged the public by holding community forums, working in partnership with other organizations and institutions, and drawing media attention to the issue. LWVEF will continue its membership in this important coalition, sharing updates and developments with League members. Meeting-ready materials are available at www.lwv.org or contact [e-mail].

VOTER EDUCATION

After four successful years, including two presidential election cycles and a record-breaking 2004, DNet will not be operational in 2005 as we strategize about the future of this nationwide online voter information project. Meanwhile, the League has launched the Online Voters Guide project, through which state and local Leagues can make their traditional candidate and ballot measure information available nationwide and throughout their state via the LWVUS Web site Voter Information section.

In collaboration with the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), the League continues its nationwide efforts to engage young people in the democratic process. Building on YLI's e-Congress, an interactive online simulation that guides students through the legislative process, Leagues are working with schools to connect students with their elected officials. The League and its partners have also updated the 18-30 VIP (Voter Issues Paper), and are encouraging elected officials to meet with young people to discuss how they plan to address the needs of this age group.

The LWVEF continues to reach out to new citizens and is working on the Tu voz, tu voto project with Leagues in Virginia for their November 2005 elections. To date, the LWVEF Immigration Survey has received responses from 89 Leagues, of which 54 (60.6 percent) have attended oath ceremonies and found the experience very rewarding and stimulating. Most of the 89 Leagues are interested in attending the ceremonies, making contact with new citizens and developing a follow-up mechanism. While present at the ceremonies, the Leagues report registering new citizens, providing voting information and distributing League membership flyers and materials. Thirty-four of the 89 Leagues have produced materials in other languages, and some of them have followed up with voting information and voting reminders. According to the Leagues that have attended the ceremonies, the majority of the new citizens are of Hispanic (33.3 percent), Asian (24.1 percent) and African (11.1 percent) origins.

COMMUNITY FORUMS AND CIVIC EDUCATION

In early February, the LWVEF launched Local Voices: Citizen Conversations on Civil Liberties and Secure Communities, an initiative to foster public dialogue about the balance between civil liberties and homeland security. A grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is funding this project. Working with project partners Lake, Snell, Perry & Associates and the Study Circles Resource Center, the League is developing materials, training local facilitators, and encouraging citizen participation in large League-led conversations. While all 900 local and state Leagues have opportunities to work on this important topic, the following Leagues are receiving funding: the LWVs of Baltimore City and Baltimore County (MD); Blackhawk-Bremer (LA); Brookhaven (NY); ColumbiaBoone County (MO); Dallas (TX); Lexington (KY); Los Angeles (CA); Miami-Dade County (FL); North Pinellas County along with the LWVs of St. Petersburg Area and Manatee and Hillsborough County (FL); and Seattle (WA). They represent a cross-section of the nation, in ethnic, economic and geographic diversity. The outcomes of the conversations will be gathered, analyzed and compared to larger national trends. A final report is scheduled for release in fall 2005 to coincide with debate on the sunset provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

For discussion materials and details about League-sponsored events, visit www.lwv.org or contact [e-mail].

Law Day is a national day to celebrate the rule of law, underscoring how law and the legal process have contributed to American freedom. As in past years, the League was a cooperating partner with the American Bar Association (ABA) for Law Day. This year, the Leon Jaworski Public Program Series presented "The Jury and American Democracy," highlighting citizen engagement, at the U.S. Supreme Court on May 2. All Leagues were encouraged to participate and hold programs on this year's theme: "The American Jury: We the People in Action," using materials provided by the ABA. President Kay J. Maxwell served on the ABA Commission on The American Jury during the past year.

GLOBAL DEMOCRACY

Under the Women Engaging Globally program, spring forums were organized by the LWV of Austin Area, TX, on "U.S. Policy and Refugee and Immigrant Women," the LWV of Massachusetts on "International Trafficking of Women," the LWV of the Cuyahoga Regional Area, OH, on "Women's HIV/Aids Epidemic Worldwide," and the LWV of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Region on "The Impact of U.S. Foreign Policy on Women: The Women's HIV/AIDS Epidemic."

At the U.S. Department of State's request, the League hosted visitors from Tajikistan and Iraq and shared information about the League and its activities. The LWVEF also conducted advocacy workshops in Jamaica in mid-May.

At press time, the Global Democracy Program awaits results from proposals submitted for funding.

RELATED ARTICLE

The League's Diversity Policy (reaffirmed in January 2003): The LWVUS/LWVEF, in both its values and practices, affirms its belief and commitment to diversity and pluralism, which means there shall be no barriers to participation in any activity of the LWVUS/LWVEF on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. The LWVUS/LWVEF recognizes that diverse perspectives are important and necessary for responsible and representative decision-making. The LWVUS/LWVEF subscribes to the belief that diversity and pluralism are fundamental to the values it upholds and that this inclusiveness enhances the organization's ability to respond more effectively to changing conditions and needs. The LWVUS/LWVEF affirms its commitment to reflecting the diversity of the country in its board, staff and programs.