The League of Women Voters is a multi-issue organization, whose mission is to encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in the government and to influence public policy through education and advocacy. View a presentationon the League's history.
The Washington County League provides non-partisan political information, a guide to elected officials, candidate forums, programs on current issues, a citizens' information guide (Spanish), and other resources to help citizens participate in the political process.
Upcoming Events
American Voting Experience Report and Recommendations
The American Voting Experience: Report and Recommendations of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration was released on January 22, 2014. Because many voters in the 2012 election experienced long lines and waits of many hours, President Obama apppointed a ten-member Commission to study and provide recommendations on improving the voter experience. Co-chairs of the Commission were the chief counsels to the 2012 Obama and Romney campaigns. The report and recommendations, which included ways to shorten waiting, expand early voting, and improve technology, were presented to the President after a six-month investigation. Read the report and the news release.
New Voter Identification Law of 2014: Make Every Vote Count on Election DayThe League of Women Voters of Washington County, Arkansas, invites you to a presentation by Jennifer Price, Election Coordinator of Washington County, on the new voter ID law on Wednesday, February 19, 6:00-7:30PM at the Fayetteville Public Library. A question and answer session will follow.
Act 595, enacted in 2013, mandates “Proof of Identity” by voters. Rules to implement the law became effective January 1, 2014. Valid identification must be presented by every voter. The law makes special provisions for people living in long-term care facilities.
This new law is bringing major changes in voting to Arkansas. Voters and citizens who wish to register to vote need to know what is required. The program is aimed at the general public as well as at organizations serving citizens who might have more challenges meeting the requirements of the new law.
We will hear the answers to questions such as:
What are the valid forms of identification? How do you obtain a valid voter identification card? What are the special issues affecting residents of long-term care facilities and affecting absentee ballots? Helpful resources have been compiled on Arkansas Voter ID rules. These include the text of the Arkansas law and rules, guides and explanatory material, and voter identification news.For more information, contact Rita Officer, roff67@aol.com, 973-9755, or Karen Crocker, krollet@uark.edu, 790-5539.
