Miscellaneous

Votes for Women

By Anne Skove, Esq.

Improperly marked provisional or absentee ballots submitted in New Mexico will be judged according to the voter's intent. Election judges must unanimously agree on what that intent was.

The League of Women Voters was vindicated by this New Mexico Supreme Court decision. On the losing side were the secretary of state and attorney general, who argued that this approach violated federal law.

See NM Court Rules in Favor of League of Women Voters, AP/KDBC News (October 29, 2008).

Since we're always carrying on about the League, we thought we'd provide some history. The League was founded in 1920 to help women make the best use of their new rights under the Nineteenth Amendment.

Guess what? The League learned that it wasn't only women who needed to learn about voting and the candidates. Today, the League helps everyone, regardless of gender or any other demographic feature.

The League endorses nobody, but gives candidates ample rope with which to hang themselves. See the candidate Q&A in your area.

Policy wonks, rejoice! The League studies issues to death until consensus is reached. Pros and cons for even the most mundane ballot issues are provided to voters. After all this work, policy (generally speaking) is one place where the League will take sides.

Yay, League, particularly this time of year!

Full post as published by court-o-rama.org on October 29, 2008 (boomark / email).