League of Women Voters of the Palos-Orland Area
Founded in 1959
Voice
Celebrating 50 Years in 2009
e‐newsletter March, 2009
League Studies the National Popular Vote Compact
Calls to change the Electoral College system have been heard around the country since the Presidential Election of 2000. Al Gore won the popular vote bud didn’t have enough votes in key states to win the electoral vote. You might think this issue has faded away but a bipartisan commission has proposed a plan to retain the Electoral College while ensuring it reflects the will of the majority of voters. The 538 Electoral College members cast their votes for President and Vice‐President in meetings held in the 50 state capitals and D.C. in mid‐December of presidential years. Federal Election law designates this date. The people have the right, under the U.S. Constitution, to vote for U.S. Representatives. The 17th Amendment gave the people the right to vote for U.S. Senators, who were The plan is called the National Popular Vote Compact. previously elected by state legislators. The people have no It would mean enough states would agree to give all Constitutional right to vote for President and Vice‐
their electoral votes to the national vote winner until President, or for their Electoral College members. The U.S. they get up to the 270 votes that would declare the race. Constitution also specifies that President and Vice‐
This would be done regardless of the results in their President are to be chosen every four years by that small individual states. Each state signing on to the compact group of people it refers to as “Presidential Electors.” would be required to pass a law to change the way their electoral votes are awarded. The Constitution actually Public polls indicate that less than 20% of voters nation‐
leaves this up to each state to decide. wide support the current system. Over 1,246 state legisla‐
tors have endorsed the NPVC. Illinois was one of the first With a total of 538 people in the Electoral College, the 270 would reflect the majority. That total count includes states to pass a NPVC bill and it was signed by Governor the 435 U.S. Representatives from 50 states plus the 100 Blagojevich in April of 2008 after receiving a great deal of U.S. Senators and the 3 members representing the bi‐partisan support. Newspapers around the country have District of Columbia, which they gained in 1961 when endorsed the compact, including the Chicago Sun Times. the 23rd Amendment was passed. The members of the The Chicago Tribune opposes it citing the fact that the Electoral College are chosen by each state and D.C. on current system helps small states to keep some clout. the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of Many people who oppose the compact would instead a presidential year. Each political party nominates its support abolishing the Electoral College, a move that own candidates, usually selecting a long standing, well would require 2/3 support of Congress and 3/4 of the Continued on page 2 …… states. known party activist. National Popular Vote Compact The League of Women Voters of the Palos‐Orland Area will be discussing this issue at the end of our April General Meeting. The LWVUS has an existing position to abolish the Electoral College and support a national direct vote. Do we think this is the best way to get there? Please join us to let us know what you think about this idea and to participate in our consensus. To help you do a little more exploring on this issue, please visit the following websites: http://www.lwv.org/NPV ‐ for Pro and Con Papers / www.nationalpopularvote.com ‐ Q & A PAGE 2
National Popular Vote continued ……………. Continued from page 1 ………. There are still some people, how‐
ever, who believe it is simply unfair What exactly were our forefathers thinking about when they penned to take an approach that avoids the the provision into our Constitution? amendment process. NPVC sup‐
We believe it was so smaller states porters remind these people that would have a chance to participate many good amendments started as even though they have a smaller state initiatives, including abolition population and would be expected of the requirement for voters to be property owners, voting rights for to deliver fewer votes overall. women, and voting rights for black Some wonder if a compact would people and persons under 21. be Constitutional. The answer is Yes. The Constitution gives the states Perhaps the most compelling exclusive and complete control over argument in support of this com‐
the manner of awarding their Elec‐
pact, is the fact toral Votes. In addition, there is no that our elec‐
language restricting interstate com‐
tions wind up pacts. Supreme Court cases have with the winner established that wording gives the taking the most power of appointment of electors to votes, except for the states and they are free to exer‐
the most important election in the cise that power as they deem fit. land. Does this make sense? Is this the best way for the most democ‐
How about those who say the only ratic country in the world to con‐
way to make this change is to pass a duct the election for their highest Constitutional Amendment? The office? Does each vote count on an people have the right to vote for equal basis now, or do those party their U.S. Representatives and U.S. activists have more power? Senators, as noted above. But the people acquired the right through Please check out the websites to the years to cast votes for president see the different opinions on this as a result of laws passed by the indi‐
issue and join us for what promises vidual states. This process started in to be a rousing discussion on April 1789 and by 1880 all the states had 11th. You can find the pro and con passed laws empowering their papers on the LWVUS website: citizens to vote for president. This www.lwv.org. Put “NPV” was done not by amendment but into the search box. by changes in state law. Electronic Recycling Day Coming Up in April On Monday, April 13, 2009, School District 230 will hold an Electronic Recycling Day at the three high schools in their district. Drop off time will be from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM and they ask that you drop off at the receiving docks at each school. Items to be accepted are: computers, monitors, memory sticks, printer car‐
tridges, laptops and accessories, hard drives, power cables, networking equipment, fax machines, photocopi‐
ers and cellular phones. The docks are located as follows: ♦ Andrew ‐ east side of building ♦ Sandburg ‐ west side ♦ Stagg ‐ northwest corner So dig out that old equipment you have stashed in your basement or garage. Now is a good time to get rid of it. You can also recycle your old cell phone by donating it to the South Suburban Family Shelter Administrative Offices located in Homewood at 18139 Harwood Avenue. Many phones have a resale value and those that don’t go through a process called “above ground mining.” They will accept the cell phone and the charger only and they will remove your SIM card. Membership in the League of Women Voters of the Palos-Orland Area
Founded in 1959, the League of Women Voters of Palos-Orland is a non-partisan organization which encourages citizens to play an active role
in government at local, state and national levels. The League works to influence public policy through education and advocacy.
General Meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month at 9:30 AM.
Any person of voting age may join. For membership information, please contact Mary Nebor at 708-479-8309.
The e-Voice is sent by email nine times per year by the League of Women Voters of Palos Orland, P. O. Box 86, Palos Heights, Illinois 60463.
Co-Presidents: Barbara Pasquinelli, [email protected], or 708-389-2888 and Gayle Greenwald, [email protected], or 708-371-1572
e‐Voice Editor: Chris Slowik ([email protected] or 708-598-5459)
League of Women Voters of the Palos-Orland Area: http://lwvpo.lwvil.org / League of Women Voters of Illinois: www.lwvil.org
PAGE 3
Voice of the Co-President …………..
by Gayle Greenwald
What? You want to hear my voice again, after all the nagging I have been doing to draft workers to our Candidates’ forums? No time ‐ I am still going over the list to make sure we have everything covered. And, I am trying to deal with all the additional requests and changes. Maybe next month. I will need considerable time to recover from this election season and the big effort we had to cover all the forums on our calendar. See you next month! Gayle’s
Big Long
List
Gayle Timers!! I need Timers!!
“80 Cheers for 80 Years” The LWV of the Homewood‐Flossmoor Area invites our members to join their 80th birthday celebration. Deadline for reservations is March 10th. Brunch 80
Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 10:30 AM Flossmoor Country Club, 1444 Western Avenue in Flossmoor $25.00 To place your reservation, please call Marcia at 708‐957‐9189 or Syvia at 708‐799‐9721 They will have a special presentation to honor their 80 year history. League of Women Voters of
Cook County
Report from Study Committee
The League of Women Voters of Cook County presents Check out this new website to keep an eye on how our elected officials are using the economic stimulus funds. www.Recovery.Illinois.gov Where Does Cook County Spend Our Money? A report from the LWVCC Employment Practices Study Committee Saturday, March 14 10 AM to 12 Noon Palos Heights Library 12501 S. 71st Avenue Palos Heights Coffee at 9:30 AM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Metra Southwest Line to add Saturday Trains ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 Daily Round trip trains to start on March 21st. Yippee!!!! Voice
League of Women Voters of the Palos‐Orland Area P. O. Box 86 Palos Heights, IL. 60463 www.palosorlandlwv.org March, 2009
LWVPOA e-Newsletter
LWVPO Upcoming Events - Calendar
March 4 Palos Heights Municipal Candidates’ Forum ‐ Ozinga Chapel, Trinity College 7 PM to 9 PM Mayoral, City Clerk, Fire Protection District, and Aldermanic candidates 8 Daylight Savings Time Begins 9 Palos Heights School District 128 Candidates’ Forum Chippewa School, 12425 S. Austin, Palos Heights, 7 PM to 9 PM 11 Oak Forest Municipal Candidates’ Forum Oak Forest Community Center, 155th & Waverly, Oak Forest 7 ‐ 9 PM 12 Oak Lawn School District 123 Candidates’ Forum Oak Lawn/Hometown Middle School, 5345 99th Street, Oak Lawn 7 ‐ 9 PM ► 14 General Meeting ‐ LWVCC to deliver Cook County Report 10 AM to 12 Noon Palos Heights Library, 12501 S. 71st Ave in Palos Heights. “Where Does Cook County Spend Our Money?” 18 Orland Park School Dist. 135 Candidates’ Forum Go Green!! Century Jr. Hi, 10801 W. 159th Street, Orland Park 7 ‐ 9 PM This newsletter has been underwritten by
BYOCC