October 19 Speaker
Frances McIntyre, long-time member of the Austin League of Women Voters and Editor of the League’s Voter’s Guide, presented an informed and informing, warm and interactive picture of the history, guidelines, and work of the League of Women Voters.
It began in 1919-20 in response to the passage of the 19th Amendment in order to inform and support women in their new role as voting citizens. Since then it has had a remarkable history: spreading from the local, to the state, and eventually to the national level and consistently providing information about issues and candidates without ever endorsing a specific candidate for any position.
Operating entirely with volunteers, the League has done and will continue to do extensive research on specific issues and then take positions on issues; e.g., affordable housing, the environment, etc. All research of issues and the recordings of candidate forums are available on line to anyone, free of charge. They are continually pressing for increased transparency at every level and the exposure of dark money donated to specific candidates through large pacs.
One of the most obvious services of the League is the publication of a voter’s guide for each major election, local, state and national. Ms. McIntyre provided club members with a copy of the guide and walked us through it, making it much more useful in making choices.
Interesting topics raised from the floor included Proposition 1 which she discussed by explaining the language used and listing the pros and cons, percentage of voter registration (90+%), and specific questions about the local League chapter (organized in 1920, includes men among 270+ members). One last interesting historical note: the League organized the first Presidential Debates, which included specific rules that were strictly followed, with JFK’s candidacy. Then the media wanted to help, but would not follow the League rules, so the League pulled away.
