The Growth Action Network (GAN), a coalition of local community organizations including LWVAAC, is organizing a series of conversations with Anne Arundel County Council members. The goal is to inform citizens about the actions of our government, connect citizens with county leaders, and generate citizen participation in matters affecting our communities.

The first of the series will be a virtual call this Tuesday, March 28 with Councilmember Lisa Rodvien. LWVAAC members are encouraged to attend.

What: Virtual meeting using Google Meet

Who: District 6 Councilmember Lisa Rodvien

When: Tuesday, March 28, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

By Susan Cochran, Director and Action Co-Chair

As the nation is reeling from a recent string of mass shootings stretching from New York to Texas to Oklahoma, and gun violence continues, many of us are asking what can be done about gun violence. The League of Women Voters has been working for sensible gun safety laws for over 30 years. LWVUS CEO, Virginia Case Solomon, decried the Uvalde tragedy and declared, “We will not be silent.” The League’s position on gun ownership is clear:

The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens. The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens.

What can you do?

What can I do?  

What can we do?

In his presentation for LWVAAC's 2022 Earth Day commemoration, outgoing Anne Arundel County Director of Environmental Policy Matt Johnston named three basic investments each of us can make in our planet.

By Vera Herath, LWVAAC Voter Services co-chair and Board director

What’s an Election Judge? Well, I’m happy to tell you because I’ve been an Election Judge for nearly 10 years and truly enjoy doing my part to help people vote.

Election Judges are the friendly, helpful people you see working at your polling place when you vote in person. They ensure that qualified registered voters cast their votes privately, safely, and securely. They check in voters and issue Voter Authority Cards and ballots. They guide voters to the voting booths and answer any questions about filling in the ballot. They also help voters scan their ballots so that they are tabulated and counted. Election Judges help provisional voters when necessary. Finally, they have the pleasure of giving each voter a coveted “I voted” sticker to wear proudly.

[Already convinced? Visit the Board of Elections website or read on...]

In 2019, Matt Johnston was appointed as the first Director of Environmental Policy for Anne Arundel County. This past February, Johnston spoke with LWVAAC’s Programming Director Marguerite Duffy about his experience and the challenges of a changing climate. Excerpts of their conversation appear below. The full interview may be found beginning on p. 7 of the March 2022 issue of LWVAAC's newsletter, The Voter.

Johnston was the lead presenter for LWVAAC's April 21, 2022 Earth Day commemoration, Environmental Challenges and Solutions in Anne Arundel County. In April 2022, he left his position in County government to become Executive Director of the Arundel Rivers Federation.