The end of summer vacation signals the beginning of LWVAAC's 2024-25 program year. Our Fall Welcome Back social offers members the chance to meet and catch up, enjoy a light lunch, hear LWVAAC's plans for the year, and discuss a current topic of interest:

Primary Elections: Options and Opportunities

Where: Community Meeting Room, Busch Annapolis Library

Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024 

Time: 1 p.m.

Guest Speaker: Kenjaray Bennett

Refreshments: Light luncheon, including vegan option, dessert, coffee, ice tea, water

Ticket Price: $10/person

RSVP by Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Most of us are aware that Maryland has a closed primary system, which requires citizens to affiliate with a party in order to vote in a primary election. A growing number of Marylanders are choosing to remain unaffiliated, resulting in primary elections that are neither inclusive nor fully representative. Democratic and Republican primary elections are funded by taxpayer dollars while other recognized parties must coordinate and pay for their primaries.

A statewide LWVMD study conducted in 2017-18 reached consensus in favor of a more open primary system for Maryland. At LWVAAC's 2024 Welcome Back event, League members will present examples of alternate primary systems, along with the advantages and disadvantages. Our guest speaker, Kenjaray Bennett, will outline a legal argument regarding the constitutionality of Maryland's closed primary system. We'll then open the floor to questions, comments and a frank discussion of the various options, as well as opportunities for change.

Hope to see you there!