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!

National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) is a civic holiday that celebrates our democracy and all that it stands for. The League of Women Voters has been an active NVRD partner since the event's inception in 2012, organizing voter registration drives at libraries, schools, malls and other community centers. This year, LWVAAC has arranged two locations and dates for League members to register, inform and inspire voters. 

NVRD #1 Anne Arundel Community College Cafeteria, College Parkway, Arnold 21012 Tuesday, September 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

NVRD #2 LUSH at the Westfield Mall, 2002 Annapolis Mall Rd, Annapolis 21401 Sunday, September 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.

To volunteer and select your time slot, click here. Please email Vera at [email protected] for more information.

There are lots of reasons for League members to gather at the Annapolis Westfield Mall on a Sunday morning this fall...         

exercise...coffee...conversation...window shopping...and most importantly,

INFORMING VOTERS!

Join us on September 22 as we walk the mall to promote the League's renowned election information website, VOTE411.org, and get out the vote for the November 2024 General Election.

We'll meet in the Food Court at 11 a.m. LWVAAC will provide handouts in partnership with the Annapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. League buttons will be available for those that want them. Patriotic attire is welcome but not required.

There's no need to RSVP but if you email [email protected] that you're coming, we'll keep an eye out for you. Hope to see you there!

Get to know the candidates and hear their views on the issues that matter most to you.

On Tuesday, September 24, candidates for U.S. Representative from District 3, Sarah Elfreth, Rob Steinberger and Miguel Barajas, will have an equal opportunity to respond to questions prepared and presented by a diverse group of District 3 nonpartisan leaders and residents. 

The discussion will be moderated by Shelley Brown, Executive Director of MyLaw.org, a nonprofit devoted to developing youth leadership, life skills, understanding of the law and legal system, and preparation for college and career through unique, real-world learning opportunities that emphasize the importance of civic participation and responsibility.

Free and open to the public.

FORUM SPONSORS

There are lots of reasons for League members to gather at the Annapolis Westfield Mall on a Sunday morning this fall...         

exercise...coffee...conversation...window shopping...and most importantly,

INFORMING VOTERS!

Join us on October 6 as we walk the mall to promote the League's renowned election information website, VOTE411.org, and get out the vote for the November 2024 General Election.

We'll meet in the Food Court at 11 a.m. LWVAAC will provide handouts in partnership with the Annapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. League buttons will be available for those that want them. Patriotic attire is welcome but not required.

There's no need to RSVP but if you email [email protected] that you're coming, we'll keep an eye out for you. Hope to see you there!

LWVAAC will take on another timely topic this October with a pre-election discussion of The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America by Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer.

In The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America, Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer reveal the explosive inside story leading up to the Supreme Court decision. Their investigation charts a political and religious campaign to take down abortion rights and remake American families, womanhood, and the nation itself. In doing so, Dias and Lerer go beyond the traditional political narrative into the most personal reaches of American life. 

Lerer, a national political correspondent for the New York Times, has written about American politics, power, and elections for nearly two decades; Dias, a New York Times national religion correspondent, has covered American religion, politics, and culture for fifteen years.

Anne Arundel Community College adjunct faculty and LWVAAC member Cynthia Barry will moderate the discussion. The Fall of Roe is available at county public libraries. Email Niecy at [email protected] to request a copy from the LWVAAC lending library.

Date: Wednesday, October 23

Time: 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Place: Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library

RSVP below

Books for Learning, past and present

Since 2016, LWVAAC members have met to discuss current topics and writings through our Books for Learning program. The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America is our 16th book. Click here for a list of prior readings.

There are lots of reasons for League members to gather at the Annapolis Westfield Mall on a Sunday morning this fall...         

exercise...coffee...conversation...window shopping...and most importantly,

INFORMING VOTERS!

Join us on November 3 as we walk the mall to promote the League's renowned election information website, VOTE411.org, and get out the vote for the November 2024 General Election.

We'll meet in the Food Court at 11 a.m. LWVAAC will provide handouts in partnership with the Annapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. League buttons will be available for those that want them. Patriotic attire is welcome but not required.

There's no need to RSVP but if you email [email protected] that you're coming, we'll keep an eye out for you. Hope to see you there!