Community Conversations

The League of Women Voters has maintained its designation as a non-partisan organization since it started more than 100 years ago.

While we never endorse or oppose a political candidate or a political party, we are committed to speaking out on issues that ensure our democracy remains strong. We are committed to voting rights, good governance, and the protection of individual rights. We want to shine a light on the importance of democracy and explore ways in which to keep it strong.

As Diana Wynn, President of the League of Women Voters – US, stated recently, “our mission is to defend democracy. We cannot live up to our mission if we are unwilling to speak up and speak out.”

Democracy is messy; however, one thing is for certain. It is everyone’s responsibility to participate. Your voice matters, and participating in elections gives power to your voice. There are other ways to give your voice agency, and the League of Women Voters in Manistee County is committed to doing just this.

Over the next nine months, the LWV-Manistee County will hold a series of Community Conversations designed to let every person express their concerns, aspirations, ask questions, or share experiences about democracy in today’s world. We will explore issues related to voting itself, as well as the impact of votes cast, especially as it relates to the residents of Manistee County. We will explore the importance of transparency in our local governments and the importance of holding our elected and appointed leaders accountable, answering the question: Why does it matter?

Why take this path? Democracy also requires trust: trust in each other, trust in our leaders, trust in the electoral process, and trust in the decisions made on our behalf by our elected representatives. By exploring issues together, we build trust.

NEXT COMMUNITY CONVERSATION:

A Community Conversation on Voting Rights

Thursday, September 18 from 5:30-7:00 PM

WSCC-Manistee Campus