SEQUIM — The Clallam County chapter of the League of Women Voters will hold a consensus meeting concerning “Money in Politics” when it meets from 9:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Sequim Transit Center, 190 W. Cedar St.
The League of Women Voters of Clallam County, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of all citizens in government.
The national league currently is updating its position statement on campaign finance and considering whether financing a political campaign is protected speech under the First Amendment, organizers say.
All local league and state chapters have been asked to participate in this discussion by researching and discussing the subject.
The league does not support or oppose candidates for public office and takes action only on issues that it has extensively studied and reached a consensus position upon.
Saturday’s meeting will be the Clallam County league’s final discussion on this issue before a consensus is reached.
The public is invited to attend the free event and learn more about the prevalence of money in politics.
However, contributing to the final consensus is limited to league members only.
For more information about this event, contact Linda Benson, money-in-politics consensus facilitator, at 360-477-4787 or lkblwv@gmail.com.
An active voice
The Clallam County league has been actively working to inform the county’s voting populous about issues that will affect them at the ballot box, said Genaveve Starr, vice president of the chapter.
“The goal of the League of Women voters is to empower citizens to shape better communities worldwide,” Starr said.
“My personal focus this year will be making an effort to try to identify any possible points of agreement on major issues by people across the political spectrum.”
The league hosts candidate debates before elections, forums on ballot initiatives and observes and reports to league members on meetings of local government bodies.
This past year, the league “presented many candidate debates during the election season — from Sequim to Forks — [and] facilitated the Port Angeles City Council discussions on the fluoridation issue,” Starr said.
It also hosts educational forums on local, state and national public policy issues, as well as issues the league has studied, discussed and taken a position on.
In October, the league also was a co-sponsor — with the North Olympic Library System — of a presentation by Humanities Washington speaker Dr. Cornell Clayton about political incivility and polarization in politics.
Seeking new members
The league currently is seeking new members, welcoming whatever degree of involvement a member is comfortable with.
Some members only pay their dues, while others help staff events, are active on committees, lead action activities or undertake leadership positions.
Both Debbie Martin, president of the Clallam County chapter, and Starr “will be glad to meet with anyone who might like to discuss league activities and positions,” Starr said.
For more information about the Clallam County League of Women Voters, contact Martin at biscayartlwv@yahoo.com or visit www.lwvcla.org.
________
Reporter Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
