by Lyn Whitley, LWVWA Local News and Democracy Committee and Delegate to the national League of Women Voters Convention

This June, delegates from state and local Leagues across the country will gather at the nation's capitol for the national convention of the League of Women Voters. At this convention, many delegates will work to gain national concurrence for the LWVWA’s Local News and Democracy position. 

The delegates from each League in our state can, and likely will, voice their own perspective. A delegate need not be in favor of concurrence to attend the national convention. The final number of delegates that can be sent from Washington Leagues to the national convention is determined by the official number of members in the state. This information will be available in a few weeks. Our goal is to send as many League members from Washington as possible—not just the members of the Local News and Democracy Committee. 

In the meantime, work toward national concurrence of our Local News position is underway. Here’s a brief update: 

• Each state and local League across the country have been asked by LWVUS to respond to a Program Planning Survey by March 10. Part of this survey is to indicate if that League supports the LWVWA bid for national concurrence on our Local News position. At least 13 local Leagues in Washington have already indicated their support.
  
  
• At some point, likely in April, we will learn if the LWVUS Board of Directors will recommend the position for concurrence at the national League convention.
  
  
• To spread awareness on the importance of national concurrence on our Local News position, the members of the LWVWA Local News Committee have been available to present workshops on how national concurrence on our position would enable Leagues across the country—including LWVUS—to advocate for legislation or other efforts that support local news and media literacy. A number of states and communities have proposed such legislation, including New York and Colorado. 

We recognize that attending convention is costly for individuals, which is why local Leagues are encouraged to host fundraising events to help offset a portion of the delegate costs. The LWVWA is also looking at possible grants from corporations and interested organizations to help offset a portion of the costs for delegates.

Updates on the LWVWA's bid to secure concurrence at the national League convention can be found on our Local News and Democracy page. The updates will also be shared with local League presidents, so you can contact your local League to learn more.