Celebrating Women’s History Month Women and the Vote HerStory JoAnn Maruoka The League of Women...

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Women and the VoteWomen and the Vote

HerStoryHerStory

JoAnn MaruokaJoAnn MaruokaThe League of Women Voters of HawaiiThe League of Women Voters of Hawaii

8 March 20128 March 2012

http://lwv-hawaii.com/index.htm

• Foremothers, Suffrage & 19th AmendmentForemothers, Suffrage & 19th Amendment

• ““The Descendants”: LWVThe Descendants”: LWV

• Why the Electoral Process Matters… to YOUWhy the Electoral Process Matters… to YOU

• Some Hot Issues in 2012Some Hot Issues in 2012

• andand… ACTION!… ACTION!

• Q & AQ & A

Our Our AgendaAgenda

• The Constitution and Voting, 1776-1920The Constitution and Voting, 1776-1920

• 1848 – Seneca Falls, NY Convention1848 – Seneca Falls, NY Convention

• Before Women Had the VoteBefore Women Had the Vote – ‘‘Not eligible’ didn’t stop these womenNot eligible’ didn’t stop these women

• ““The Woman Question”The Woman Question”

A Glimpse Back in A Glimpse Back in Time Time

Where are the Women?Where are the Women?

National American Woman Suffrage National American Woman Suffrage

AssociationAssociation NAWSANAWSA

• Formed in 1890 from:Formed in 1890 from: National Woman Suffrage Association (1869)National Woman Suffrage Association (1869) American Woman Suffrage Association (1869)American Woman Suffrage Association (1869)

• Most mainstream and nationally visibleMost mainstream and nationally visible

• Pushed for suffrage at the state level Pushed for suffrage at the state level

• Presidents: Stanton, Anthony, CattPresidents: Stanton, Anthony, Catt

State Presidents & Officers of the National American State Presidents & Officers of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) 1892 Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) 1892


““The women of the 1918 Women's The women of the 1918 Women's Suffrage movement fight for future Suffrage movement fight for future generations’ right to vote and run generations’ right to vote and run for office. for office.

““Sacrificing their health, marriages Sacrificing their health, marriages and the limited amount of freedom and the limited amount of freedom they had, women were imprisoned they had, women were imprisoned and force fed after picketing and and force fed after picketing and hunger-striking against war-time hunger-striking against war-time president, Woodrow Wilson.”president, Woodrow Wilson.”

But they survived to see the But they survived to see the results of their efforts.results of their efforts.


The 19The 19thth Amendment Amendment

“The right of citizens of the United The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”by any State on account of sex.”

The 19The 19thth Amendment Amendment

• May 21, 1919 passed byMay 21, 1919 passed by House of Representatives, House of Representatives, 2 wks later by Senate of 662 wks later by Senate of 66thth Congress Congress

• Jun 4, 1919 proposed to State Legislatures Jun 4, 1919 proposed to State Legislatures (passage requires 3/4 (36) of 48 states to ratify)(passage requires 3/4 (36) of 48 states to ratify)

• Aug 18, 1920 TN is 36Aug 18, 1920 TN is 36thth state to ratify state to ratify

• Aug 26, 1920 US Secty of State certifies ratificationAug 26, 1920 US Secty of State certifies ratification

The League of Women Voters The League of Women Voters (LWV)(LWV)

Proud Descendants of the SuffragistsProud Descendants of the Suffragists

• Formed Feb 14, 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt Formed Feb 14, 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt 6 months 6 months priorprior to 19 to 19thth Amendment passage Amendment passage

• ““A Mighty Political Experiment" A Mighty Political Experiment" to help to help educate women to become informed voterseducate women to become informed voters

• Carrie (1859-1947) served as honorary LeagueCarrie (1859-1947) served as honorary League president for the rest of her lifepresident for the rest of her life

The League of Women Voters (LWV)The League of Women Voters (LWV) MAKINGMAKING DEMOCRACY DEMOCRACY WORKWORK

• National + 800 state & local Leagues, National + 800 state & local Leagues, in all 50 states & Washington DC, in all 50 states & Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Hong KongPuerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Hong Kong

• > 140,000 members & supporters> 140,000 members & supporters

• Original grassroots citizen network, Original grassroots citizen network, consensus of women & men membersconsensus of women & men members

LWV: LWV: Our WorkOur Work

• Registering VotersRegistering Voters• Educating Voters Educating Voters • Improving ElectionsImproving Elections• Improving Government Improving Government • Other Other Climate, Energy & Natural Resources; Global Climate, Energy & Natural Resources; Global Democracy; Health Care Defense; International MiscDemocracy; Health Care Defense; International Misc

LWVLWV Taking A StandTaking A Stand

• 1920s1920s: : Child Labor Laws, a Minimum Wage, Equal Child Labor Laws, a Minimum Wage, Equal Opportunity for Women in Govt & IndustryOpportunity for Women in Govt & Industry• 1930s1930s: : Anti-corruption, Merit System for Civil Service,Anti-corruption, Merit System for Civil Service, Environmental issuesEnvironmental issues• 1960s & 70s1960s & 70s: : Civil & Human Rights IssuesCivil & Human Rights Issues• 1980s1980s: : Individuals’ Constitutional Right to Make Individuals’ Constitutional Right to Make Reproductive ChoicesReproductive Choices• 1990s1990s: : Civic Education of Women in EmergingCivic Education of Women in Emerging Democracies, National Voter Registration ActDemocracies, National Voter Registration Act• 2000s2000s: : Campaign Finance Reform, Health Care Reform,Campaign Finance Reform, Health Care Reform, Effective Gun ControlEffective Gun Control

LWV Taking A StandLWV Taking A Stand

• Health Care ReformHealth Care Reform

• Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

• Money in PoliticsMoney in Politics

• Ethics and Lobbying ReformEthics and Lobbying Reform

• D.C. Voting RightsD.C. Voting Rights

LWV Taking A StandLWV Taking A Stand

1/1/12 ACTION ALERT1/1/12 ACTION ALERT: Fight Back Against: Fight Back Against Citizens United, urge President to clean Citizens United, urge President to clean house at the Federal Elections Commissionhouse at the Federal Elections Commission

2/27/12 ACTION ALERT: It's Discrimination 2/27/12 ACTION ALERT: It's Discrimination Against Women and We Won't Stand for ItAgainst Women and We Won't Stand for It

1. 1. Send your Senators a message now!Send your Senators a message now! Tell them to Tell them to vote vote againstagainst the the Blunt-Rubio amendmentBlunt-Rubio amendment because it will because it will block contraceptive services and discriminate against block contraceptive services and discriminate against women. Tell them not to limit access to health care based women. Tell them not to limit access to health care based on ill-defined “religious or moral objections.”on ill-defined “religious or moral objections.”

2. 2. Send this alert to other concerned citizensSend this alert to other concerned citizens -- your -- your grassroots network, your friends and coworkers -- grassroots network, your friends and coworkers -- encourage them to contact their Senators.encourage them to contact their Senators.

LWV in HawaiiLWV in Hawaii strictlystrictly Non-PartisanNon-Partisan

wholeheartedlywholeheartedly PoliticalPolitical

• LWV-HILWV-HI is statewide, comprised of county is statewide, comprised of county Leagues: Leagues: HonoluluHonolulu (1948), (1948), Hawaii IslandHawaii Island (1960s), (1960s), KauaiKauai (1969) & Maui (1969) & Maui Members-at-Lg Members-at-Lg • Grassroots citizen network, works byGrassroots citizen network, works by consensus of women & men members,consensus of women & men members, each League autonomous (State, Local) each League autonomous (State, Local)

• All-VolunteerAll-Volunteer

LWV in Hawaii: Our WorkLWV in Hawaii: Our Work

• Register VotersRegister Voters

• Educate & Inform VotersEducate & Inform Voters: put on topical : put on topical forums, many televised; speak to groupsforums, many televised; speak to groups

• Improve ElectionsImprove Elections: Advisory Council, observe: Advisory Council, observe

• Improve GovernmentImprove Government: educate policymakers, : educate policymakers, testify at state Leg, City Councils; meet with testify at state Leg, City Councils; meet with news editorial boards; op-eds, ads, interviews; news editorial boards; op-eds, ads, interviews; work with other good govt orgnswork with other good govt orgns

• Conduct studiesConduct studies: Drug Policy; Judicial Indep: Drug Policy; Judicial Indep

LWV in HawaiiLWV in Hawaii

• Open, Transparent GovernmentOpen, Transparent Government • Citizen RightsCitizen Rights, Voter ProtectionVoter Protection• Campaign Fin Reform, Clean ElectionsCampaign Fin Reform, Clean Elections• Reapportionment / RedistrictingReapportionment / Redistricting• Anti-Legalized GamblingAnti-Legalized Gambling• Election Laws & ProceduresElection Laws & Procedures• Women’s IssuesWomen’s Issues• Ethics & LobbyingEthics & Lobbying

LWV in HawaiiLWV in Hawaii

The League of Women Voters is where The League of Women Voters is where hands-on work to safeguard democracy hands-on work to safeguard democracy

leads to community improvementleads to community improvement

A great resource with links to other A great resource with links to other relevant sites is our League websiterelevant sites is our League website

www.lwv-hawaii.comwww.lwv-hawaii.com


Understanding Why Understanding Why The Electoral Process The Electoral Process

Matters…Matters…To You, to All of UsTo You, to All of Us


• Elected officials make decisions about Elected officials make decisions about things that are important to things that are important to YOUYOU, , including including YOURYOUR job, job, YOURYOUR health care, health care, YOURYOUR environment & environment & YOURYOUR security security

• Voting is Voting is YOURYOUR chance to choose the chance to choose the decision makers who represent decision makers who represent YOUYOU & & to tell them what to tell them what YOUYOU want want

So What? Why Should I Care?So What? Why Should I Care?


15th AMENDMENT15th AMENDMENT, Section 1., Section 1. The right of The right of US citizens to vote shall US citizens to vote shall notnot be denied or be denied or abridged by the US or by any State onabridged by the US or by any State on account of race, color, or previous account of race, color, or previous condition of servitudecondition of servitude. . (Ratified in 1870)(Ratified in 1870)

19th AMENDMENT19th AMENDMENT, Section 1. The right of , Section 1. The right of US citizens to vote shall US citizens to vote shall notnot be denied or be denied or abridged by the US or by any State onabridged by the US or by any State on account of sexaccount of sex. . (Ratified in 1920)(Ratified in 1920)

THE PLAYERSTHE PLAYERS

Constitutional Election RightsConstitutional Election Rights


http://lwv-hawaii.com/govt/constitution/constitution2.htm

24th AMENDMENT24th AMENDMENT, , Section 1. The right of US Section 1. The right of US citizens to vote in any primary or other election for citizens to vote in any primary or other election for President or VP, for electors for President or VP, President or VP, for electors for President or VP, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall shall notnot be denied or abridged by the US or any Statebe denied or abridged by the US or any State byby reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other taxtax.. (Ratified in 1964)(Ratified in 1964)

26th AMENDMENT26th AMENDMENT, , Section 1.Section 1. The right ofThe right of US US citizenscitizens, who are, who are 18 years of age or older18 years of age or older, , to to votevote shall shall notnot be denied or abridged by the US or be denied or abridged by the US or by any Stateby any State on account of ageon account of age. . (Ratified in 1971) (Ratified in 1971)

THE PLAYERS THE PLAYERS (cont’d)(cont’d)

Constitutional Election Constitutional Election RightsRights


http://lwv-hawaii.com/govt/constitution/constitution2.htm

An election revolves around An election revolves around beliefs & actions of American voters beliefs & actions of American voters

Come Election Day, Come Election Day, no one else’sno one else’s opinions opinions matter, & matter, & no one elseno one else has control over the has control over the

outcome but the outcome but the votersvoters

Voting = The Great EqualizerVoting = The Great Equalizer In American Society In American Society

WE THE WE THE PEOPLEPEOPLE


You Have 1 Vote = Everyone ElseYou Have 1 Vote = Everyone Else

With that 1 vote, With that 1 vote, youyou have the power to have the power to influence decisions that will affect influence decisions that will affect youryour life life YourYour job, job, youryour taxes, taxes, youryour health care, health care, youryour Social Security, whether the nation goes to Social Security, whether the nation goes to war, you name it — war, you name it — they are all at stakethey are all at stake

WE THE WE THE PEOPLEPEOPLE


Voter turnoutVoter turnout = or >= or > men voter turnoutmen voter turnout

CCastast 4-7 million more4-7 million more votes than menvotes than men

In every presidential election In every presidential election since 1980since 1980,, proportionproportion of eligible females who votedof eligible females who voted >> proportionproportion of males who voted. of males who voted. Prior to Prior to 19801980, voter turnout rate for women, voter turnout rate for women << for menfor men

In every presidential election In every presidential election since 1964since 1964,, numbernumber female votersfemale voters > > numbernumber male votersmale votersSource: Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers UniversitySource: Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University

WOMEN & PRESIDENTIAL WOMEN & PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONSELECTIONS

AmongAmong youngeryounger citizens (18-44), highercitizens (18-44), higher proportionproportion of women than men voted in of women than men voted in 20082008, , 20042004, , 20002000, & , & 19961996; pattern; pattern reversedreversed amongamong older votersolder voters (75+)(75+)

AmongAmong Asian/PacAsian/Pac, , BlacksBlacks, , HispanicsHispanics, , WhitesWhites, , numbernumber female votersfemale voters >> numbernumber male votersmale voters

In In last 5 presidentiallast 5 presidential elections, women voted elections, women voted at higher ratesat higher rates than men among Blacks, than men among Blacks, Hispanics, WhitesHispanics, Whites Source: Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers UniversitySource: Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University

WOMEN & PRESIDENTIAL WOMEN & PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONSELECTIONS

Voter Turnout in Non-Presidential ElectionsVoter Turnout in Non-Presidential Elections::Since 1986,Since 1986, proportion proportion of eligible females of eligible females who votedwho voted > > proportionproportion of eligible males,of eligible males, reversingreversing the historical pattern of higher the historical pattern of higher turnout rates for men than for womenturnout rates for men than for women

Voter RegistrationVoter Registration: Women: Women outnumberoutnumber men men amongamong registeredregistered votersvoters

Source: Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers UniversitySource: Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University

WOMEN & RECENT WOMEN & RECENT ELECTIONSELECTIONS

HAWAII: ELECTED WOMENHAWAII: ELECTED WOMEN

U.S. Congress (2 Sen, 2 Reps)U.S. Congress (2 Sen, 2 Reps)

Colleen Hanabusa (D) U.S. Rep. 2011-presentColleen Hanabusa (D) U.S. Rep. 2011-present

Mazie Hirono (D) U.S. Rep. 2007-presentMazie Hirono (D) U.S. Rep. 2007-present

Patsy T. Mink (D) U.S. Rep. 1990-2002; 1965-1977Patsy T. Mink (D) U.S. Rep. 1990-2002; 1965-1977

Patricia Saiki (R) U.S. Rep. 1987-1991 Patricia Saiki (R) U.S. Rep. 1987-1991

Mary Farrington (R) Del. (pre-statehood) 1954-1957Mary Farrington (R) Del. (pre-statehood) 1954-1957


Statewide Elective Executives (Total 2)Statewide Elective Executives (Total 2) Linda Lingle (R) Governor 2003-2011Linda Lingle (R) Governor 2003-2011

Mazie K. Hirono (D) Lt. Governor 1994-2003Mazie K. Hirono (D) Lt. Governor 1994-2003

Jean S. King (D) Lt. Governor 1979-1982Jean S. King (D) Lt. Governor 1979-1982


State LegislatureState Legislature

State Tot Women/ Tot Women/ Tot Women/ % TotState Tot Women/ Tot Women/ Tot Women/ % Tot

YearYear RankRank Tot SenateTot Senate Tot HouseTot House Total LegisTotal Legis WomenWomen

20122012 4 4 9 / 259 / 25 17 / 51 17 / 51 26 / 76 26 / 76 34.2 34.2

2011 42011 4 9 / 25 9 / 25 17 / 51 17 / 51 26 / 76 26 / 76 34.2 34.2

2010 5 7 / 252010 5 7 / 25 18 / 51 18 / 51 25 / 76 32.9 25 / 76 32.9

In Nov 2012, Hawaii Votes In Nov 2012, Hawaii Votes on:on:

• U.S. PresidentU.S. President

• One of 2 U.S. SenatorsOne of 2 U.S. Senators

• Both U.S. RepresentativesBoth U.S. Representatives

• Approx half of 25 State SenatorsApprox half of 25 State Senators

• All 51 State RepresentativesAll 51 State Representatives

• 4 of 9 OHA Trustees4 of 9 OHA Trustees

• HNL & HI Mayors, some Council all countiesHNL & HI Mayors, some Council all counties


• PRIMARYPRIMARY Election Election Sat, Aug 11Sat, Aug 11

• Last Day to RegisterLast Day to Register Thu, Jul 12 Thu, Jul 12

• Early Voting:Early Voting: - Last Day to Request- Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballotan Absentee Ballot Sat, Aug 4 Sat, Aug 4

- Absentee Walk-in Voting- Absentee Walk-in Voting TBA TBA Walk-in polling places still to be determinedWalk-in polling places still to be determined

Important 2012 DatesImportant 2012 Dates


• GENERALGENERAL Election Election Tue, Nov 6Tue, Nov 6

• Last Day to RegisterLast Day to Register Mon, Oct 8Mon, Oct 8

• Early Voting:Early Voting: - Last Day to Request- Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballotan Absentee Ballot Tue, Oct 30Tue, Oct 30

- Absentee Walk-in Voting - Absentee Walk-in Voting TBA TBA Walk-in polling places still to be determinedWalk-in polling places still to be determined

Important 2012 DatesImportant 2012 Dates

• REAPPORTIONMENT / REDISTRICTINGREAPPORTIONMENT / REDISTRICTING

• MONEY IN ELECTIONSMONEY IN ELECTIONS CITIZENS UNITED VS FEC; Super-PACs; CITIZENS UNITED VS FEC; Super-PACs; FEC Commissioners; DISCLOSE ActFEC Commissioners; DISCLOSE Act

• VOTER PROTECTIONVOTER PROTECTION

• WOMEN’S HEALTHWOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUES

Hot Issues in 2012Hot Issues in 2012


• REGISTERREGISTER to vote & help others register to vote & help others register

• TALKTALK to people about candidates & issues to people about candidates & issues & why you feel it’s important to vote& why you feel it’s important to vote

• FIND OUTFIND OUT if your family, friends, neighbors have if your family, friends, neighbors have what they need to make informed decisions & what they need to make informed decisions & get to the polls… maybe all they need is a rideget to the polls… maybe all they need is a ride

• DON’T GO ALONEDON’T GO ALONE to the polling place … to the polling place … take a friend or neighbor with youtake a friend or neighbor with you

Actions YOU Can Actions YOU Can Take Take


• GET INVOLVEDGET INVOLVED: Election Day volunteer; join orgns : Election Day volunteer; join orgns such as LWV-HI, CCH, ADA, Kanu-HIsuch as LWV-HI, CCH, ADA, Kanu-HI

• FIND OUT MORE,FIND OUT MORE, but use trusted, vetted sources but use trusted, vetted sources Get to know your legislators, council member, ask ?’s Get to know your legislators, council member, ask ?’s DEMOCRACY UNDER THE INFLUENCEDEMOCRACY UNDER THE INFLUENCE Sunshine Sunshine

Workshop Wed, Mar 14, 5:30PM, Laniakea YWCAWorkshop Wed, Mar 14, 5:30PM, Laniakea YWCA

• ADD YOUR VOICEADD YOUR VOICE: testify, email et al, phone, op-ed, : testify, email et al, phone, op-ed, letters to editor, blogletters to editor, blog

• DISCUSSDISCUSS with friends, colleagues with friends, colleagues

Actions YOU Can Actions YOU Can TakeTake

• YOUR IDEASYOUR IDEAS: :

Actions YOU Can Actions YOU Can TakeTake

Make Make YOURYOUR voice heard voice heard on Election Day!on Election Day!

Get Registered!Get Registered!

Get Informed!Get Informed!

Get Out & Vote!Get Out & Vote!


HerStory…HerStory…

Is YOUR StoryIs YOUR Story

Is OUR StoryIs OUR Story

But What’s Important Is But What’s Important Is What What WEWE Do Here & Now Do Here & Now

Questions?Questions?


Celebrating Women’s History Month Women and the Vote HerStory JoAnn Maruoka The League of Women...

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