Empowering Voters.
Defending Democracy.
March Program Topic: Affordable Housing
On Thursday, March 21, Dan Kitzberger will be speaking to us about affordable housing at the St Louis Park City Hall. Dan is the current Minnesota Housing Legislative Director. He has worked in a variety of roles at the capitol, both as a legislative staffer and in government relations. Prior to Minnesota Housing, he was Legislative Director for the Direct Care and Treatment Administration at the Minnesota Department of Human Services. He began his career in government relations as Policy Director at the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, where he co-chaired the Homes for All policy team that led the legislative agenda. Dan holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
This is a not to be missed conversation about what Minnesota is doing to address the present housing crisis, and what we in the local community can do to help. Bring your friends and neighbors!
Date: Thursday, March 21
Time: 7 - 8:30 pm
Location: St. Louis Park City Hall
Address: 5005 Minnetonka Blvd St. Louis Park, MN 55426
All are welcome!
April Program Topic: Solar Panels
On Thursday, April 18, Mark Brinkman will lead us in a discussion about solar panels. Mark has a background in home remodeling and has been in the solar industry for more than 10 years. He will be able to answer questions about what the process is to get solar panels on homes or commercial buildings. He will also be able to offer insight as to what other cities are doing so we can learn if there is anything St. Louis Park could be doing to make it easier for everyone to get solar panels.
If you have questions for the presenter, they can be submitted using this form Program Question
Date: Thursday, April 18
Time: 7 - 8:30 pm
Location: St. Louis Park City Hall
Address: 5005 Minnetonka Blvd St. Louis Park, MN 55426
All are welcome!
May Program: Annual Meeting
On Saturday, May 18 we will host our Annual Meeting. We will start the meeting with our business program, take a break for a brunch bite to eat and our keynote speaker will be from Cornerstone. At the Annual Business Meeting we will review highlights of the year, vote to adopt our Program and Bylaws and vote in our new Board Members. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor. Membership dues must be paid to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Date: Saturday, May 18
Time: 10 am
Location: Aquila Commons
Address: 8200 W 33rd St, St Louis Park, MN 55426
2024 Election Season
Election Season Starts in Full Gear!
It will be an busy year, so don’t miss an important date. Precinct Caucuses are February 27, followed by the Presidential Nomination Primary Day on March 5. Primary Election Day is August 13, and the General Election is November 5.
The League of Women Voters’ of Minnesota has the full calendar of election events, including when absentee ballot voting begins, on its website.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TY-cJXVI85QobpTNxAZ6cHTpooCpQW-J/view
Please make sure your friends and family know about these dates, and get out and VOTE!!
People Powered Fair Maps:
LWV Initiative to End Gerrymandering
LWV Initiative to End Gerrymandering
The LWV position: "Gerrymandering, or the practice of drawing district lines to protect the interest of political parties or politicians, undermines the redistricting process and suppresses the voice of voters. Politicians should not choose their voters—voters must be free to choose who they want to represent them. June 2020 will mark one year since the Supreme Court declined to set a standard to rein in partisan gerrymandering. This ruling played a major role in the launch of our campaign for People Powered Fair Maps™...."
Redistricting and the Census
For an idea of what the redistricting time line following the 2020 Census looks like in Minnesota, access Congressional and Legislative Redistricting 2020: Timeline Scenarios created by MN House Research Department:
From the Brennan Center for Justice
"Every 10 years, all U.S. states redraw their legislative and congressional districts in order to comply with the constitutional mandate that districts are equally populated. States redraw these districts using block level data from the decennial census conducted in years ending in zero."
"Every 10 years, all U.S. states redraw their legislative and congressional districts in order to comply with the constitutional mandate that districts are equally populated. States redraw these districts using block level data from the decennial census conducted in years ending in zero."
LWVMN Statement in Defense of Democracy
Letter Sent to Minnesota Legislative Leaders
Letter Sent to Minnesota Legislative Leaders
From the LWV Minnesota:
[On Friday, January 15, 2021], "the LWVMN State Board met and approved THIS LETTER to be sent to the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate leadership in both parties. We are especially concerned about the growing evidence of possible violence being directed at elected and government officials prior to inauguration, and about the ongoing use of the baseless claims of voter fraud as a reason for this insurrection behavior. We are specifically calling on our Legislative Leaders to:
Our letter fully documents and cites the evidence behind our concerns and requests, and provides you...with solid facts you can continue to amplify and use...."
[On Friday, January 15, 2021], "the LWVMN State Board met and approved THIS LETTER to be sent to the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate leadership in both parties. We are especially concerned about the growing evidence of possible violence being directed at elected and government officials prior to inauguration, and about the ongoing use of the baseless claims of voter fraud as a reason for this insurrection behavior. We are specifically calling on our Legislative Leaders to:
- Require that all Minnesota State Representatives and Senators tell the truth about the settled 2020 elections as a duty to fulfill their oath to the United States and Minnesota constitutions;
- Require certain legislators who have incited lies and violence to issue a public message immediately disavowing the falsehoods about a “stolen election,” apologizing for the use of those lies for political purposes, and accepting of the 2020 election validity and integrity, and a clear message that harassment and calls for violence toward our public officials will not be tolerated; and
- Seek consequences and accountability of those legislators who have continued to violate their oath of office by spreading lies about the election through formal censure, the revocation of committee assignments, and even expulsion if needed, should their behavior of spreading lies and misinformation continue.
Our letter fully documents and cites the evidence behind our concerns and requests, and provides you...with solid facts you can continue to amplify and use...."
For further information and explanation of the need for and ability of the LWVMN to issue a forceful letter like this one, go to THIS PAGE where LWVMN answers FAQ about this particular position and the support of LWVUS in issuing the letter.
LWV St. Louis Park
Established St. Louis Park League - 1954
Trusted, Nonpartisan, Grassroots Minnesota Leadership Since 1920.
MISSION STATEMENT League of Women Voters of St. Louis Park
The League of Women Voters, a nonprofit, nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
MISSION STATEMENT League of Women Voters of St. Louis Park
The League of Women Voters, a nonprofit, nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
League of Women Voters Minnesota
When you join the LWVSLP, you automatically become a member of the League of Women Voters Minnesota. This state site is a great resource for information on issues, positions, and voter information.
League of Women Voters United States
When you joint the LWVSLP, you automatically become a member of the League of Women Voters United States. The US site has a lot of information on different issues, positions, Action Alerts and other lobbying efforts.