The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and, after study, strives to influence selected public policy through education and advocacy. The League’s goal is to empower citizens to shape better communities.
This 2017 election year, the League of Women Voters of Greenwich undertook a project to empower Town voters to cast a better informed vote when choosing candidates for the Representative Town Meeting.
For the first time in memory there was unusual competition for candidates’ seats in almost all of the 12 RTM districts. Town-wide, there were 274 candidates for 230 seats. To help voters inform themselves about the candidates, the League of Women Voters of Greenwich supplemented its Voters Guide by including contenders for the RTM.
League volunteers compiled biographies, statements, and photographs of candidates.
The Guide was posted on the League website (lwvg.org) and made available digitally, through participating media outlets, including on Greenwich Free Press.
Although participation was voluntary, eventually, over 220 candidates took part.
In the past, voters were often stumped by unknown names on their district ballots.
This year, thanks to the expanded Guide, people were able to vote with ample knowledge of the experience and goals of district candidates. The League has received numerous accolades about this expanded Voters Guide.
Compiling this information was an enormous administrative and monetary effort for the Greenwich League.
The effort was spearheaded by Jara Burnett, Kath Bergweger, Marla Laney, Phyllis Schondorf and IT consultant Cathy Steel.
The Voters Guide went live close to ten days before the election, even allowing voters casting absentee ballots to benefit.
The unusual expense was covered by an anonymous donor.
The League of Women Voters Greenwich is a non-profit member-supported organization which welcomes anyone interested in promoting voter education and good government to join.
For details about membership, opportunities to volunteer and League programs please visit lwvg.org.