Mid-Year Meeting Highlights

Carla Larson

Thirty-two members and two guests attended our Mid-Year Member Meeting on September 14th. Carla Larson, VP, not only handled the logistics of the meeting, but on short notice, stepped in to run the meeting. Thanks, Carla!

Wesley Dodge, from Better Ballots Nebraska was the keynote speaker. He gave an overview of issues affecting our democracy from a historical perspective, noting how political parties, dark money, and gerrymandering have influenced our election system.  Dodge described how a ranked-choice system of voting could make elections more representative. He also discussed how open primaries generate greater voter engagement and that the National Popular Vote would guarantee the person with the most votes would win the election, because states would pledge their electoral votes would go to the person who won the national popular vote without changing the constitution. He ended with an appeal to our shared values for freedom and accountability.

Following Wes’s presentation, Carla called the business meeting to order. A quorum of our membership was present.  There was only one item of business on the agenda and that was to approve the four merger and conversion documents that were finalized by our legal team at UNL College of Law, Entrepreneurship Clinic:
Plan of Merger of LWVLL with LWVLL Education Fund
Articles of Merger
Amended Bylaws
Amended Articles of Incorporation.

The membership overwhelmingly approved the four documents in their entirety. Thanks to all who attended the meeting and voted to move us forward in our endeavor. The next steps are for our attorneys to file the necessary documentation of approvals with the Nebraska Attorney General and Secretary of State.

The meeting adjourned 9:35 am.