1. Celebrating Women’s History Month Women and the Vote HerStory JoAnn Maruoka The League of Women Voters of Hawaii 8 March 2012

2. Foremothers, Suffrage & 19th AmendmentForemothers, Suffrage & 19th Amendment “The Descendants”: LWV“The Descendants”: LWV Why the Electoral Process Matters… to YOUWhy the Electoral Process Matters… to YOU Some Hot Issues in 2012Some Hot Issues in 2012 and… ACTION!and… ACTION! Q & AQ & A Our Agenda

3. The Constitution and Voting, 1776-1920The Constitution and Voting, 1776-1920 1848 – Seneca Falls, NY Convention1848 – Seneca Falls, NY Convention Before Women Had the VoteBefore Women Had the Vote –‘Not eligible’ didn’t stop these women “The Woman Question”“The Woman Question” A Glimpse Back in Time Where are the Women?

4. The Constitution and Voting, 1776-1920The Constitution and Voting, 1776-1920 1848 – Seneca Falls, NY Convention1848 – Seneca Falls, NY Convention Before Women Had the VoteBefore Women Had the Vote –‘Not eligible’ didn’t stop these women “The Woman Question”“The Woman Question” A Glimpse Back in Time Where are the Women?

5. The Constitution and Voting, 1776-1920The Constitution and Voting, 1776-1920 1848 – Seneca Falls, NY Convention1848 – Seneca Falls, NY Convention Before Women Had the VoteBefore Women Had the Vote –‘Not eligible’ didn’t stop these women “The Woman Question”“The Woman Question” A Glimpse Back in Time Where are the Women?

6. National American Woman Suffrage Association NAWSA Formed in 1890 from: Formed in 1890 from: National Woman Suffrage Association (1869) National Woman Suffrage Association (1869) American Woman Suffrage Association (1869) American Woman Suffrage Association (1869) Most mainstream and nationally visible Most mainstream and nationally visible Pushed for suffrage at the state level Pushed for suffrage at the state level Presidents: Stanton, Anthony, Catt Presidents: Stanton, Anthony, Catt

7. State Presidents & Officers of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) 1892

10. “The women of the 1918 Women's Suffrage movement fight for future generations’ right to vote and run for office. “Sacrificing their health, marriages and the limited amount of freedom they had, women were imprisoned and force fed after picketing and hunger-striking against war-time president, Woodrow Wilson.” But they survived to see the results of their efforts.

11. The 19 th Amendment The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

12. The 19 th Amendment May 21, 1919 passed byHouse of Representatives, May 21, 1919 passed by House of Representatives, 2 wks later by Senate of 66 th Congress 2 wks later by Senate of 66 th Congress Jun 4, 1919 proposed to State Legislatures Jun 4, 1919 proposed to State Legislatures (passage requires 3/4 (36) of 48 states to ratify) (passage requires 3/4 (36) of 48 states to ratify) Aug 18, 1920 TN is 36 th state to ratify Aug 18, 1920 TN is 36 th state to ratify Aug 26, 1920 US Secty of State certifies ratification Aug 26, 1920 US Secty of State certifies ratification

14. The League of Women Voters (LWV) Proud Descendants of the Suffragists Formed Feb 14, 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt Formed Feb 14, 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt 6 months prior to 19 th Amendment passage 6 months prior to 19 th Amendment passage “A Mighty Political Experiment" to help “A Mighty Political Experiment" to help educate women to become informed voters educate women to become informed voters Carrie (1859-1947) served as honorary League Carrie (1859-1947) served as honorary League president for the rest of her life president for the rest of her life

15. The League of Women Voters (LWV) MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK National + 800 state & local Leagues, in all 50 states & Washington DC, in all 50 states & Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Hong Kong Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Hong Kong > 140,000 members & supporters > 140,000 members & supporters Original grassroots citizen network, Original grassroots citizen network, consensus of women & men members consensus of women & men members

16. LWV: Our Work Registering Voters Registering Voters Educating Voters Educating Voters Improving Elections Improving Elections Improving Government Improving Government Other Other Climate, Energy & Natural Resources; Global Climate, Energy & Natural Resources; Global Democracy; Health Care Defense; International Misc Democracy; Health Care Defense; International Misc

17. LWV Taking A Stand 1920s: Child Labor Laws, a Minimum Wage, Equal 1920s: Child Labor Laws, a Minimum Wage, Equal Opportunity for Women in Govt & Industry Opportunity for Women in Govt & Industry 1930s: Anti-corruption, Merit System for Civil Service, 1930s: Anti-corruption, Merit System for Civil Service, Environmental issues Environmental issues 1960s & 70s: Civil & Human Rights Issues 1960s & 70s: Civil & Human Rights Issues 1980s: Individuals’ Constitutional Right to Make 1980s: Individuals’ Constitutional Right to Make Reproductive Choices Reproductive Choices 1990s: Civic Education of Women in Emerging 1990s: Civic Education of Women in Emerging Democracies, National Voter Registration Act Democracies, National Voter Registration Act 2000s: Campaign Finance Reform, Health Care Reform, 2000s: Campaign Finance Reform, Health Care Reform, Effective Gun Control Effective Gun Control

18. LWV Taking A Stand Health Care Reform Global Climate Change Global Climate Change Money in Politics Money in Politics Ethics and Lobbying Reform Ethics and Lobbying Reform D.C. Voting Rights D.C. Voting Rights

19. LWV Taking A Stand 1/1/12 ACTION ALERT : Fight Back Against Citizens United, urge President to clean Citizens United, urge President to clean house at the Federal Elections Commission house at the Federal Elections Commission 2/27/12 ACTION ALERT: It's Discrimination Against Women and We Won't Stand for It Against Women and We Won't Stand for It

20. 1. Send your Senators a message now! Tell them to vote against the Blunt-Rubio amendment because it will block contraceptive services and discriminate against women. Tell them not to limit access to health care based on ill- defined “religious or moral objections.” 1. Send your Senators a message now! Tell them to vote against the Blunt-Rubio amendment because it will block contraceptive services and discriminate against women. Tell them not to limit access to health care based on ill- defined “religious or moral objections.” 2. Send this alert to other concerned citizens -- your grassroots network, your friends and coworkers -- encourage them to contact their Senators.

21. LWV in Hawaii strictly Non-Partisan wholeheartedly Political LWV-HI is statewide, comprised of county LWV-HI is statewide, comprised of county Leagues: Honolulu (1948), Hawaii Island Leagues: Honolulu (1948), Hawaii Island (1960s), Kauai (1969) & Maui Members-at-Lg (1960s), Kauai (1969) & Maui Members-at-Lg Grassroots citizen network, works by Grassroots citizen network, works by consensus of women & men members, consensus of women & men members, each League autonomous (State, Local) each League autonomous (State, Local) All-Volunteer All-Volunteer

22. LWV in Hawaii: Our Work Register Voters Register Voters Educate & Inform Voters: put on topical Educate & Inform Voters: put on topical forums, many televised; speak to groups forums, many televised; speak to groups Improve Elections: Advisory Council, observe Improve Elections: Advisory Council, observe Improve Government: educate policymakers, Improve Government: educate policymakers, testify at state Leg, City Councils; meet with testify at state Leg, City Councils; meet with news editorial boards; op-eds, ads, interviews; news editorial boards; op-eds, ads, interviews; work with other good govt orgns work with other good govt orgns Conduct studies: Drug Policy; Judicial Indep Conduct studies: Drug Policy; Judicial Indep

23. LWV in Hawaii Open, Transparent Government Citizen Rights Voter Protection Citizen Rights, Voter Protection Campaign Fin Reform, Clean Elections Campaign Fin Reform, Clean Elections Reapportionment / Redistricting Reapportionment / Redistricting Anti-Legalized Gambling Anti-Legalized Gambling Election Laws & Procedures Election Laws & Procedures Women’s Issues Women’s Issues Ethics & Lobbying Ethics & Lobbying

24. LWV in Hawaii The League of Women Voters is where hands-on work to safeguard democracy hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to community improvement leads to community improvement A great resource with links to other A great resource with links to other relevant sites is our League website relevant sites is our League website www.lwv-hawaii.com www.lwv-hawaii.com

25. Understanding Why The Electoral Process Matters… To You, to All of Us

26. Elected officials make decisions about Elected officials make decisions about things that are important to YOU, things that are important to YOU, including YOUR job, YOUR health care, including YOUR job, YOUR health care, YOUR environment & YOUR security YOUR environment & YOUR security Voting is YOUR chance to choose the Voting is YOUR chance to choose the decision makers who represent YOU & decision makers who represent YOU & to tell them what YOU want to tell them what YOU want So What? Why Should I Care? So What? Why Should I Care?

27. 15th AMENDMENT, Section 1. The right of US citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. (Ratified in 1870) 19th AMENDMENT, Section 1. The right of US citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any State on account of sex. (Ratified in 1920) THE PLAYERS Constitutional Election Rights

28. 24th AMENDMENT, Section 1. The right of US citizens to vote in any primary or other election for President or VP, for electors for President or VP, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the US or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax. (Ratified in 1964) 26th AMENDMENT, Section 1. The right of US citizens, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any State on account of age. (Ratified in 1971) THE PLAYERS (cont’d) Constitutional Election Rights

29. An election revolves around beliefs & actions of American voters Come Election Day, no one else’s opinions matter, & no one else has control over the outcome but the voters Voting = The Great Equalizer In American Society WE THE PEOPLE

30. You Have 1 Vote = Everyone Else With that 1 vote, you have the power to influence decisions that will affect your life Your job, your taxes, your health care, your Social Security, whether the nation goes to war, you name it — they are all at stake You Have 1 Vote = Everyone Else With that 1 vote, you have the power to influence decisions that will affect your life Your job, your taxes, your health care, your Social Security, whether the nation goes to war, you name it — they are all at stake WE THE PEOPLE

31. Voter turnout = or > men voter turnout C ast 4-7 million more votes than men In every presidential election since 1980, proportion of eligible females who voted > proportion of males who voted. Prior to 1980, voter turnout rate for women number male voters Source: Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University WOMEN & PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

32. Among younger citizens (18-44), higher proportion of women than men voted in 2008, 2004, 2000, & 1996; pattern reversed among older voters (75+) Among Asian/Pac, Blacks, Hispanics, Whites, number female voters > number male voters In last 5 presidential elections, women voted at higher rates than men among Blacks, Hispanics, Whites Source: Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University WOMEN & PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

33. Voter Turnout in Non-Presidential Elections: Since 1986, proportion of eligible females who voted > proportion of eligible males, reversing the historical pattern of higher turnout rates for men than for women Voter Registration: Women outnumber men among registered voters Source: Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University WOMEN & RECENT ELECTIONS

34. HAWAII: ELECTED WOMEN U.S. Congress (2 Sen, 2 Reps) Colleen Hanabusa (D) U.S. Rep. 2011-present Mazie Hirono (D) U.S. Rep. 2007-present Patsy T. Mink (D) U.S. Rep. 1990-2002; 1965-1977 Patricia Saiki (R) U.S. Rep. 1987-1991 Mary Farrington (R) Del. (pre-statehood) 1954-1957

35. HAWAII: ELECTED WOMEN Statewide Elective Executives (Total 2) Linda Lingle (R) Governor 2003-2011 Mazie K. Hirono (D) Lt. Governor 1994-2003 Jean S. King (D) Lt. Governor 1979-1982

36. HAWAII: ELECTED WOMEN State Legislature State Tot Women/ Tot Women/ Tot Women/ % Tot State Tot Women/ Tot Women/ Tot Women/ % Tot Year Rank Tot Senate Tot House Total Legis Women 2012 49 / 25 17 / 51 26 / 76 34.2 2011 4 9 / 25 17 / 51 26 / 76 34.2 2010 5 7 / 25 18 / 51 25 / 76 32.9

37. In Nov 2012, Hawaii Votes on: U.S. PresidentU.S. President One of 2 U.S. SenatorsOne of 2 U.S. Senators Both U.S. RepresentativesBoth U.S. Representatives Approx half of 25 State SenatorsApprox half of 25 State Senators All 51 State RepresentativesAll 51 State Representatives 4 of 9 OHA Trustees4 of 9 OHA Trustees HNL & HI Mayors, some Council all countiesHNL & HI Mayors, some Council all counties

38. PRIMARY Election Sat, Aug 11 PRIMARY Election Sat, Aug 11 Last Day to Register Thu, Jul 12 Last Day to Register Thu, Jul 12 Early Voting: Early Voting: - Last Day to Request - Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot Sat, Aug 4 an Absentee Ballot Sat, Aug 4 - Absentee Walk-in Voting TBA - Absentee Walk-in Voting TBA Walk-in polling places still to be determined Walk-in polling places still to be determined Important 2012 Dates

39. GENERAL Election Tue, Nov 6 GENERAL Election Tue, Nov 6 Last Day to Register Mon, Oct 8 Last Day to Register Mon, Oct 8 Early Voting: Early Voting: - Last Day to Request - Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot Tue, Oct 30 an Absentee Ballot Tue, Oct 30 - Absentee Walk-in Voting TBA - Absentee Walk-in Voting TBA Walk-in polling places still to be determined Walk-in polling places still to be determined Important 2012 Dates Important 2012 Dates

40. REAPPORTIONMENT / REDISTRICTING REAPPORTIONMENT / REDISTRICTING MONEY IN ELECTIONS MONEY IN ELECTIONS CITIZENS UNITED VS FEC; Super-PACs; CITIZENS UNITED VS FEC; Super-PACs; FEC Commissioners; DISCLOSE Act FEC Commissioners; DISCLOSE Act VOTER PROTECTION VOTER PROTECTION WOMEN’S HEALTH WOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUES Hot Issues in 2012 Hot Issues in 2012

41. REGISTER to vote & help others registerREGISTER to vote & help others register TALK to people about candidates & issuesTALK to people about candidates & issues & why you feel it’s important to vote & why you feel it’s important to vote FIND OUT if your family, friends, neighbors have what they need to make informed decisions & get to the polls… maybe all they need is a rideFIND OUT if your family, friends, neighbors have what they need to make informed decisions & get to the polls… maybe all they need is a ride DON’T GO ALONE to the polling place …DON’T GO ALONE to the polling place … take a friend or neighbor with you take a friend or neighbor with you Actions YOU Can Take

42. GET INVOLVED : Election Day volunteer; join orgns such as LWV-HI, CCH, ADA, Kanu-HIGET INVOLVED : Election Day volunteer; join orgns such as LWV-HI, CCH, ADA, Kanu-HI FIND OUT MORE, but use trusted, vetted sourcesFIND OUT MORE, but use trusted, vetted sources Get to know your legislators, council member, ask ?’s Get to know your legislators, council member, ask ?’s DEMOCRACY UNDER THE INFLUENCE Sunshine Workshop Wed, Mar 14, 5:30PM, Laniakea YWCA DEMOCRACY UNDER THE INFLUENCE Sunshine Workshop Wed, Mar 14, 5:30PM, Laniakea YWCA ADD YOUR VOICE: testify, email et al, phone, op-ed, letters to editor, blogADD YOUR VOICE: testify, email et al, phone, op-ed, letters to editor, blog DISCUSS with friends, colleaguesDISCUSS with friends, colleagues Actions YOU Can Take

43. YOUR IDEAS:YOUR IDEAS: Actions YOU Can Take

44. Make YOUR voice heard on Election Day! Make YOUR voice heard on Election Day! Get Registered! Get Informed! Get Out & Vote!

45. HerStory… HerStory… Is YOUR Story Is YOUR Story Is OUR Story Is OUR Story But What’s Important Is What WE Do Here & Now

46. Questions?