[LWVNM Action] Advocacy for the vote, League as elections resource, the need for bipartisan agreement on investment in broadband-so critical for our schools and rural communities, especially with COVID

[Meredith Machen]

<https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/commentary/voter-apathy-is-not-an
-american-value/article_0ca17c08-de4e-11ea-89c0-9b569a7b3c1f.html>
https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/commentary/voter-apathy-is-not-an-
american-value/article_0ca17c08-de4e-11ea-89c0-9b569a7b3c1f.html 
Women in the United States take seriously their role as engaged citizens -
something that is evident by data that shows in the 2016 presidential
election, 63.3 percent of women voted as opposed to 59.3 percent of men.
Even though women have outnumbered men at the polls in every presidential
election since 1980, there is more to be done to honor the work and
sacrifice of the suffragettes whom we must thank for this right.
We know we can do better for a nation founded on the cry for representation.
Today, while 86.8 percent of U.S. citizens are registered to vote, actual
turnout languishes at an average of 55.7 percent for presidential elections
and far less for municipal elections. When comparing U.S. voter turnout to
other developed countries, we see Americans rank 26th out of citizens from
32 nations in major elections.
Apathy is not an American value.
The many battles fought to bring democracy to the reach of white,
land-owning male citizens, then to male nonwhite citizens, then to women -
and to those disenfranchised because of Jim Crow-era laws and more - must be
honored by each citizen by way of casting a ballot in November and every
other election we are eligible to take part in. I am proud to say I've never
missed an opportunity to cast a ballot in any election - a right won thanks
to those who spoke, organized and marched for it.
This election season certainly is like no other in our history, and there
are clear challenges to seeing every eligible elector cast their ballot.
Americans, though, are a people battle-tested and up for the challenge.
I call upon every citizen to help us honor each of our ancestors who fought
for and won their place on the voter rolls by ensuring you are registered,
you are informed and you are prepared to let your voice be heard in
November, and in all future elections.
Know the deadline for registration and for requesting a mail-in ballot if
your state encourages the practice or you wish to take advantage of it for
your safety. Or, make sure you know your physical polling place, as some
have been or will be changed in the face of the pandemic, and schedule ample
time to wait if necessary to cast your ballot in person.
We cannot allow disenfranchisement to happen today after such hard battles
were fought to extend this right to all, and must call especially on those
entrusted with the responsibility to maintain our democracy to do so with
every citizen in mind.
We must also do our part.
In the era of information overload, it is imperative for each citizen to use
reputable sources, such as the League of Women Voters website and print
materials, to learn more about the candidates who will appear on our ballots
and ensure you're making an informed decision.
 
<https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/free/op-ed-parties-must-come-to
gether-to-invest-in-broadband-for-present-future/article_b8053960-de5b-11ea-
a558-57467e901e39.html>
https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/free/op-ed-parties-must-come-tog
ether-to-invest-in-broadband-for-present-future/article_b8053960-de5b-11ea-a
558-57467e901e39.html
Fiscal responsibility is a huge component to endurance, and we stand firmly
on the side of it, but we realize responsible choices sometimes come with a
price tag. 
Decisions to spend billions, let alone trillions, are tough. Knowing how we
will pay back the money allocated today though, helps ground our reasoning.
We must invest where we will see return today and far into the future, when
generations not yet born will help heal an economy stressed by this virus. 
As such, we must invest in infrastructure and technology that will allow us
to work, learn and live today and build a stable economy and educated,
workforce-ready individuals for the future. Simply stated - broadband is
essential. It must be part of the next package and the next until the
digital divide is erased.
We call on both parties and the president to include in the current package
broadband expansion and relief, or to quickly bring to the floor a package
that will address the vital infrastructure and funding for broadband
expansion. 
Betsy E. Huber is the president of the National Grange, America's oldest
rural and agricultural advocacy organization, and serves as a member of the
FCC's Precision Agriculture task force on the working group looking at
broadband deployment.
 
She wrote both opinion pieces, which I excerpted. 
 
Meredith Machen
League of Women Voters of New Mexico

 <tel:505-577-6337> 505-577-6337 c
 <mailto:projects at lwvnm.org> projects at lwvnm.org
 <mailto:meredith.machen at gmail.com> meredith.machen at gmail.com
 
Empowering Voters - Defending Democracy
 
 
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