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Items
from the League of Women Voters Web Site
(return
to Governement & Politics: Classroom
Activities)
Read each of
the short paragraphs below for discussion and writing.
The mission
of the League Women Voters is to.
Promote
an open governmental system that is representative, accountable
and responsive; that has a fair and adequate fiscal basis; that
protects individual liberties established by the Constitution;
that assures opportunities for citizen participation in government
decision making; that provides sound agricultural policy; and
that preserves public health and safety through gun control
measures.
The following
paragraph is the League of Women Voters' "Statement of Position
on the Citizen's Right to Know/Citizen Participation, as Announced
by National Board, June 1984." Read it carefully.
The
League of Women Voters of the United States believes that democratic
government depends upon the informed and active participation
of its citizens at all levels of government. The League further
believes that governmental bodies must protect the citizen's
right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions,
holding open meetings and making public records accessible.
According to
the League of Women Voters, "three main factors determine whether
a person is an active voter." They are:
- Contact
with candidates, political parties, family or peers who encourage
participation
- Understanding
the impact that the election will have on daily life;
- The availability
of information about the candidates, the issues, and the nuts-and-bolts
of the voting process itself."
What do you
think is meant by the phrase "active voter?"
What might be
the impact of an election on daily life?
How should information
about the candidates and the issues be made available?
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