The LWVD Newsletter
Summer 2024 | Update on Confined Voting
 It often comes as a surprise that many of those incarcerated in jails are eligible voters. In fact, only those serving a current sentence for a felony are unable to vote in Colorado. Many of those in jail have yet to be convicted of anything; others are serving time for misdemeanors. Voting is one of the ways that a positive connection to the community can be maintained.
In 2020, thanks to the strong support of Sheriff Elias Diggins, Denver was the third county in the U.S. to provide in-person voting in the two county jails. The LWV of Denver, working with Denver Elections and Sheriff’s Department staff, as well as the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, has been a partner in the Confined Voting Project since then. In 2019, even before working on elections, we were helping register eligible incarcerated voters. Incarcerated voters have participated enthusiastically, returning over 81% of the 187 ballots issued for the June primary. Many of those were infrequent or first-time voters.
 Now, in addition to providing opportunities for those incarcerated in Denver to participate in elections, the county is serving as a model for others. New legislation requires all Colorado counties to provide at least six hours of in-person voting in jails. Observers from the Secretary of State’s Office have come with us for registration and voting events. In addition, election officials are planning to conduct demonstrations for election and sheriff’s staff from other counties before the November general election. The League is proud to be a partner in this groundbreaking project.
Anne Duncan
Editor Note: We commend Anne Duncan for her dedication to this endeavor from the beginning. | 
Awards
Diane Young
Shirley Weaver Suffragist Award
Presenter: Marty Sloven
Diane joined the Denver League in 1970 and has been a member ever since, making her easily a 50-year member. She served as secretary, chair of the Education Committee, vice-president, and president on the Denver League Board.
Diane served in those difficult years when Denver Public Schools began busing. She worked with the Education Committee on a six-week course highlighting different programs in DPS which warranted support at a time when many families were leaving Denver or choosing private schools. Also during her term, LWVDenver completed our successful Decade of Neighborhood Tours.
Following her term as president, Diane was hired as Office Manager of LWVCO, becoming Executive Director, serving there for 17 years. After that, she worked for 12 years as an aide for Councilwoman Peggy Lehmann, who was herself an active Denver Leaguer, who had also served as a Denver president. These years, seemingly away from the Denver League but still active in League, probably explains why she has not yet received this award.However, she is back. For several years, she has headed up our analyses of the Denver Ballot Issues, a challenging but crucial task, and has been co-chair of the Observatory Unit.
Susan Stark
The Marty Sloven Mother Lode Award
Presenter: Cassie Bishop
For a couple of years, we have been missing several officers on our board. Many members have stepped up in these years, no one more than Sue. She has served in her primary post, Director of Program, with distinction, coming up with most of our interesting and informative briefings this year. Although we usually have co-chairs in this challenging position, Sue has served alone. In that capacity, she has had to deal with some particularly challenging issues around advocacy as well.
She has led the Executive Committee meetings to develop an agenda each month for board meetings and led those meetings, a task usually completed by the Director of Organization which we have not had. Other tasks which fall under that category have also been handled by Sue. She began on our board several years ago as Development Chair. Since we have not had anyone in that position since Sue moved on to Program, she has continued to work on that committee, usually reporting to the board in the capacity of the chair. All these contributions have been in spite of some demanding personal issues. Some people would have said they just couldn’t continue, but Sue never wavered in her commitment to League.
Fran Coleman
JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclustion Award
Presenter: Sue Stark
The first winner of this year's JEDI Award is a native of Denver, but has also lived in rural Colorado. As our office administrator, Fran is the “voice” of LWVD whenever anyone calls our number. Being bi-lingual, she is able to respond effectively to inquiries from a broad spectrum of Denver residents and other community organizations. Fran’s commitment to justice, equality, diversity and inclusion was highlighted by her volunteering to house a migrant family from Venezuela until stable housing could be found for them. Fran works with Denver Decides and our Voter Service programs to see that culturally sensitive and Spanish-translated voter education is available in our city. Her presence on several LWVD committees provides insight that honors and respects people from the wide diversity by subtly and deftly reminding us of this necessity in all our endeavors. Her experience as a legislator helps LWVD to better understand the perspective of rural communities outside Colorado’s Front Range.
Wanda Lenox
JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Award
Presenter: Lisa Haddox
Wanda Lennox gets things done! Her infectious energy oozed inclusivity as she draws other towards her like a magnet. Wanda is very effective at engaging high school students at voter registration events. She draws them in with encouraging comments, as well as her special spin-for-a-prize wheel. Wanda is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and has encouraged her sorority sisters to register voters for League of Women Voters too. This is a wonderful partnership! Thanks, Wanda, for being a steadfast advocate for youth voters.
| Reports from Our Delegates
Leadership Speakers - President Dianna Wynn and CEO Celine Stewart Shared Their Visions
Delegate Jeanette Scotland
Dianna Wynn, newly elected President, spoke first. She talked about learning empowerment from watching her single mother put herself through college with three small children. She learned the power of nonpartisanship and its ability to inspire trust from her work as past president of the nonpartisan North Carolina ACLU. And when the League is compared with other organizations, the League of Women Voters is ranked No.1 as the most trusted voice in politics. As such, Dr. Wynn sees the League’s potential as bigger, bolder and more powerful. We can grow by embracing greater diversity. We can show boldness by working with like-minded organizations in calling out authoritarianism, and we can be more powerful by thinking big, she told us. She reminded us of our grass roots past achievements. "In the 1940s, we were instrumental in seeing the United Nations established. In the 1970s, we won an Emmy for the Presidential Debates. In the 1990s, we led with grass roots drive for the National Voter Registration Act. And in 2020, we won a Webby for our Vote411.org essential information website.” Dianna believes that the League can help to preserve democracy and restore trust in elections.
The new CEO, Celine Stewart, chosen unanimously by the LWVUS Board of Directors, urged us to unleash our energy, our creativity and to trust implicitly. We can do this by repeating the mantra, “Together We Will.” We will reach as many voters as possible with1,000,000 as the goal. We will improve our organizational culture to create feelings of “belonging”. And we must accept our mission to propel ourselves into this new century through strength and innovation.
Dianna and Celine had a warm conversation giving Celine an opportunity to share her humor and candidness about the calling to the position and the challenges she faces. More notes from this conversation can be found here.
Delegate Directions to the Board or What Other Leaguers Are Thinking
Delegate Jeanette Scotland
The assembled delegates, both in person and on-line, were asked to give direction to the Board.
Our own Bobbie Heisterkamp expressed extreme concern about the Transformation Plan strategy of taking all local Leagues’ dues money into its own bank account via Chapter Spot. She indicated that the basic dues should go into this system, but the donations paid over and above the basic $75 membership should be left at the grassroots level where they are now. Her full message can be accessed here. (A quick note: Dues will be $75.00 or pay what you can as of February 1, 2025.)
There were several concerning themes that surfaced: Fundraising, Youth Delegates, DEI, Voting Systems, Improve LWVUS and Local Leagues, and the Next Convention. It was interesting to hear what other Leaguers are thinking. You can find the full comments here.
| Local News Concurrance at 2024 National Convention
Delegate Bobbie Heisterkamp
Washington State League of Women Voters did a comprehensive 134-page study of the effect of losing sources of local news on communities. The resulting position statement was approved by that League and recommended by LWVUS for concurrence at the 2024 convention. It passed, so now any League may use it to advocate for accurate local news.
Position in Brief:The League of Women Voters of Washington believes it is the responsibility of the government to provide support for conditions under which credible local journalism can survive and thrive.The League of Women Voters of Washington defines local news as accurate, in-depth coverage of government entities, including but not limited to, city councils, county councils, county boards of commissioners, health departments, schools, and school boards.
Link to full position: https://groups.io/g/LWVUS2024ConventionProgramPlanning/wiki/36160
Why is this position needed?
In Denver we used to have two lively newspaper: The Rocky Mountain News in the morning and The Denver Post in the afternoon. In 2009, Denver lost The Rocky Mountain News that had been published since 1859. The Denver Post, which has been published since 1892, was purchased in 2010 by Media News Group whose majority owner is hedge fund Alden Global Capital, based in New York City. The paper is now a shadow of its former self with many journalists laid off and publishing a much thinner, expensive paper. The result is a local newspaper with a diminished audience and much less influence. A majority of people living in Denver get their news almost exclusively from internet and television sources. It is imperative that every Coloradan (no matter their source of news) be aware and skeptical about anything they find on the internet as well as what they hear on television.
I attended a workshop, "Proactive Practices & Tactics to Combat Mis/Dis/Mal-Information," the day after the first presidential debate. Fact-checkers were citing many untruths that had been uttered. The presenters emphasized how important it is to examine your source of news carefully and make sure it is not publishing information used out of context, distorting the truth or biased. They recommended a website Newsguard, which carefully vets news sources for truthfulness. The League of Women Voters is considered a reliable source as well as local election officials when researching ballot issues.
Mis-information and dis-information are defined as false or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive. The key difference between misinformation and disinformation is that misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is unintentionally spread, while disinformation refers to false or misleading information that is intentionally spread with the purpose of deceiving or manipulating others. Mal-information is a controversial term for information which is based on fact, but removed from its original context in order to mislead, harm, or manipulate.
Civic education and civic integrity are vital to combat the rise in false statements. Always check your sources and verify what has been published before you believe it or share it. |
Want to Learn More about the LWVUS Convention?
You can find daily recaps and links to video here: https://www.lwv.org/league-management/league-fundamentals/2024-convention-daily-briefing | New National Study on the Federal Judiciary
Background
Leagues across the country such as in Illinois and Washington sent in proposals for LWVUS to conduct a study on the Supreme Court in January of 2024. Meanwhile, the LWVUS Advocacy and Litigation Committee (ALC) had been aware of the growing concerns about financial impropriety and ethical compromises of the Court justices. A subcommittee searched across the country for a local or state consensus on the judiciary with which national could concur. They also looked at applying the Money in Politics position, but that refers to candidates, not appointed justices. The ALC unanimously decided it was time for a study of the third branch of government, the Federal Judiciary.
The ALC was concerned that a relevant League voice was needed sooner than a two-year study could produce. Therefore, LWVUS proposed completing a new study as a one-year pilot program. The delegates agreed and voted in the new study. There was some discussion to limit it to the Supreme Court, but most members thought an understanding of the entire federal judicial system would be better for developing a position.
Scope of the study
- Engage legal and academic experts to help clarify
- judicial accountability,
- the role of rule of law, and
- safeguarding judicial independence.
- Gain grassroots input from Leagues, and
- Formulate a position around the Federal Judiciary for Leagues to use to carry out the mission of empowering voters and defending democracy.
What this means for LWV Denver
We will need to form a team of Leaguers with one or two leaders interested in studying the federal judiciary. We have reached out to LWVUS for direction as we are anticipating that they will develop the study materials and consensus questions. The team will need to establish a list of legal and academic experts to help, but individual members can contribute ideas. The experts can be local but it is not required. We can also develop our own materials related to the scope of the study. If you are interested in participating in this endeavor, please contact Director of Program Susan Stark, who will oversee the study in Denver (susanstark1947@gmail.com).
Jeanette Scotland and Sue Stark | 
August LWVD Socially Aware Book Group
Join us August 27, to read Colorado's own Poet Laureate's collection of poems, You Better Be Lightning. The poems range from close examination of the deeply personal to the vastness of the world, exploring the expansiveness of the human experience from love to illness, from space to climate change, and so much more in between.
One of the most celebrated poets and performers of the last two decades, Andrea Gibson’s trademark honesty and vulnerability are on full display in You Better Be Lightning, welcoming and inviting readers to be just as they are.
We'll be meeting at Side Pony (4635 W. Colfax Ave. Suite 100, Denver, CO 80204), a coffee and cocktail bar in the Sloan's Lake neighborhood. Email Cassie Bishop at cassandrabish@gmail.com with any questions. | 2024 Indoor Bulb Sale a Success!
Thank you for making the League’s 2024 Indoor Bulb Sale a success! As you know, this is the first year we’ve sold only indoor forcing bulbs. After 30 years of sales of mostly outdoor bulbs, this was somewhat confusing for many of you, our loyal customers. But we rose to the challenge and our bulb sale was highly successful! Thank you to all who circulated Bulb Sale information in your high-rise and condo buildings and to your friends and relatives online! Thank you to all who circulated a packet of Bulb Sale information! You are wonderful! Bulbs will be delivered to the City Park Greenhouse in October. We’ll contact you when your order is ready.
Barb Mattison, Bulb Sale 2024 Chair
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Are you passionate about the League of Women Voters of Denver?
Help us welcome new members into our League by joining the Membership Committee!
We meet monthly to discuss new ways to recruit members and spread the word about the amazing things we're doing at LWVD. In the past year we've started up a Book Club and reintroduced Drinks & Dialogue. Email Cassie Bishop (cassandrabish@gmail.com), Membership Chair, to learn more today! | Voter Service
Youth Council – Making Buttons!
We used some funds from a LWVUS grant to purchase a button maker. We got together with some of our Youth Council members to make some small buttons to give away at our voter registration tables. Pictured below are three students from Metropolitan State University – Madison, Andrea, and Lara – together with Vevor the button maker. Thank you, Youth Council members!
Registering Voters in this Important Election Year
Many thanks to all the Circulators who have assisted this spring, registering voters prior to the June election. We’ve got several events planned this summer. If you have suggestions for locations for voter registration drives, please contact Lisa Haddox at lisa.m.haddox@gmail.com.
Want to Help the Voter Service Committee?
Please consider joining the Voter Service Committee, which meets virtually the 4th Monday of the month at 5:00 p.m. Opportunities include helping to coordinate voter registration events, organizing the ballot issues Speaker’s Bureau, or being our Vote411 Information Coordinator. Also, we’re looking for a volunteer to evaluate an existing LWV program called Energizing Young Voters and see if it is a good fit for Denver. If you’re interested or have questions, please contact Lisa Haddox at lisa.m.haddox@gmail.com.
LWV Denver received a 2024 grant from the LWVUS Education Fund.
We used the grant to get fun materials to draw youth to our voter registration tables and start up our Youth Council.We're hoping to register more youth prior to the fall election and keep improving our numbers! Here's a graphic that Holley Murphy created to use on social media to celebrate their sucess so far.
Lisa Haddox, Voter Service Chair | Save the Date
Fall Kickoff Event
Tuesday, September 17, 5:30 p.m.
In-Person at Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church
Topic: Education in Colorado: Where We Are and Where We Should Be
Speakers: Lisa Weil, Great Education Colorado, and a TBA speaker from the Community College System
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Want to know a key way you can help ensure fair and accessible elections nationwide?
Sign up to be a poll worker! Help make sure elections run smoothly and polling places stay open in your own community by signing up to be a poll worker
August 1 is Poll Worker Recruitment Day, and LWVCO is using the month of August to encourage people to sign up as poll workers
www.powerthepolls.org/LWV. | 
A great time was had by all at the LWVCO Leaders of Democracy Fundraiser. From left, Fran Coleman, Nancy Ulrich, Beth Hendrix and Dani Newsum (Director of Strategic Partnerships, Cobalt) | LWVUS Commitment to Protecting Democracy in 2024
The League of Women Voters of the US president, Dianna Wynn, issued the following statement about the state of American democracy ahead of the 2024 general election:
“For more than a century, the League of Women Voters has stood as a trusted, nonpartisan source of election information for voters across this nation. Since our founding, our organization has been dedicated to preparing voters to cast their ballot in each election and to exercise their right to participate in democracy.
“We stand firmly against policies and actions that threaten the integrity and inclusiveness of the democratic process. White nationalism and efforts to move our government toward authoritarianism threaten the very foundation of our democracy. The League will use our power and resources to combat any attempt to undercut the values of free and fair elections, and our democracy of, by, and for the people. Through protests and advocacy we will challenge any policies, laws, and regulations that propose restrictive measures that undermine our nation's progress toward ensuring every citizen’s right to vote.
“Our country is at an existential crossroads, and voters must make a critical decision about the direction of our nation. The League remains committed to providing nonpartisan election information for voters at VOTE411.org and empowering voters to send a clear message about the future we want. We urge American voters to turn up and turn out in November to ensure our democracy reflects the will of the people.” | In Memoriam
We are saddened to report that since our last VOTER publication, we have lost three long-time, dedicated Leaguers.
In April, we learned of the passing Dee Netzel, a member of Cherrington Unit and an accomplished pianist, who played for all the Women to Watch celebrations. Dee always had a positive attitude. After macular degeneration made it impossible for her to drive, she still found a way to get to unit meetings. She has been missed.
In May, we learned of the death of Phyllis Zumwinkel, a member of Observatory Unit, also a key member of our past Natural Resources Committee, presenter of many impressive briefings over the years. She was always to be found in the City Park Greenhouse sorting flower bulbs. Ninety-eight when she passed, fellow Observatory Unit members described her as “lively, active, articulate and passionate” as well as “curious, forthright, engaged and engaging.” Very impressive.
Recently, we learned of the sudden death of Mary Lohre. Although Mary had moved to a retirement community in Highlands Ranch, she continued to be a strong supporter of the Denver League, always counted on to support fundraising efforts. We are honored to have been mentioned in her obituary.
Marty Sloven, Assistant VOTER Editor | Welcome New Members
Maryanne Flynn, zip 80206, maryanneflynn@gmail.com
Heather Shannon, zip 80210, hashannon@comcast.net
Paula Stacey, zip 80212, prsathorne@comcast.net
Tracey Trenam, zip 80220, trenam@comcast.net
Leah Wolkovitz, zip 80232, lorrsv@gmail.com
John Dale Schellenger, zip 80209
| VOTER Articles Welcome!
We welcome articles from all members. We usually publish the VOTER on the fourth Thursday, so the deadline to submit articles is the Friday before.
| VOTER |
Article Deadline |
Voter Publication Date |
| September |
Friday, August 16 |
Thursday, August 22 |
| October |
Friday, September 20 |
Thursday, September 26 |
Please send your articles or ideas about articles to pzelarney@yahoo.com. | Consider a Sustaining or Benefactor Membership
We appreciate all those who pay $60 to be a member. However, the LWV Denver can only keep $8 of that $60 and the rest goes to Per Member Payments to the LWVCO and LWVUS. For those who are able, think about paying a sustaining $125 membership that gives the LWV Denver $73 or a benefactor $300 membership that gives the LWV Denver $248 to use for our education activities, to support our office and to continue our voter service resources for the city of Denver. Thank you!
Bobbie Heisterkamp, Treasurer
| Please Renew Your Membership or
Become a Member Today
If you received this email VOTER and are not a member, please consider joining us. If it's time to renew your membership, consider doing it online.
Follow this link to join or renew at one of our membership levels and remember that it covers Denver, Colorado and National membership. Also, please consider renewing at the sustaining or benefactor membership level. Membership dues are tax deductible.
| Regular Individual Membership |
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| Sustaining membership (includes an additional donation) |
$125 |
| Benefactor membership (includes additional donation)
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$300 |
Two regular members at the same address
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$90 |
| Two sustaining members at the same address (includes an additional donation) |
$150 |
| Two benefactor members at the same address (includes an additional donation)
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$450 |
Member needing assistance with paying dues
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$5 |
| Part or full-time student |
$10 |
Members: Forward this VOTER and encourage your friends and neighbors to join! | | 1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303-321-7571 | | | |