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Yeah, we got our own Day
Read about The League of Young Voters Day, in Maine, and other highlights from the Maine League.
League of Young Voters Day
The League's Day Has Come - Literally
Can you imagine the great surprise I felt when I heard that The League…”my” League, was receiving a statewide honor for work with young people in Maine? My heart swelled with pride as a mother feels when they watch their child take its first step. I was there in the beginning of life for the league. I was there when many people thought that we were just a bunch of Bush Bashers, only committed to the 2004 elections. Here I stand, 3 years later, enmeshed in The League that has worked so hard to change the outlook for the progressive youth movement in Maine. Here I am, a proud member of a group that is honored by the state of Maine and the city of Portland; so honored that there is now an official day set in the books as The League of Young Voters Day.
I know we have done amazing work, but watch out; we have just got our toes wet.
Lisa McNeil
Steering Committee Member
check out Speaking Youth to Power - a cover story in the Portland Phoenix
We're official, here's what the Governor proclaimed:
WHEREAS, since April 2004, the League of Young Voters has engaged young Mainers in the political process by reframing politics as positive, accessible and directly related to the lives of young people; and,
WHEREAS, by merging issue-based campaigns and electoral organizing with creative expression and community building the League has built a membership of nearly 6,000; and,
WHEREAS, combining traditional organizing practices with non-traditional youth-driven tactics, the League targeted the Portland Peninsula in November 2006 where young voter turnout increased by over 1,100; and,
WHEREAS, the League garnered success in moving Maine towards more affordable and energy efficient housing stock through Portland’s new Inclusionary Zoning ordinance and by crafting a statewide energy efficiency disclosure form law for rental units in Maine; and,
WHEREAS, the League has met its mission “to support young people to solve problems” by partnering with Opportunity Maine to collect over 70,000 signatures for a citizens initiative that will make higher education more affordable for all Mainers who want it; and
WHEREAS, young people across Maine – and nationwide – are being trained by the League of Young Voters to be the next generation of civic leaders and community organizers ,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN E. BALDACCI, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the day of April 4th, 2007 as
THE LEAGUE OF YOUNG VOTERS DAY
Through out the State of Maine, and urge all citizens to recognize these dedicated young Mainers who are engaging their peers in the political process.
2006 Election Highlights |
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young voters opposed TABOR
Peep Maine Public Broadcasting Network's post-election
"Conclusion: Young voters are increasingly engaged and are becoming a force in electoral politics," according to Music for America. |
2005 Maine Won't Discriminate |
In March of 2005, the League was tapped as the college outreach program for Maine won't Discriminate.
The coalition work in the fall of 2005 was to educate and build turnout of young voters for November’s ballot question about Maine’s newly passed Equal Rights Law. Due to our work in 2004 on college campuses, the League was designated as the college outreach arm for Maine Won’t Discriminate. Through a 70-day action plan for each campus, our "Vote Louder" initiative, and our target 6,000 votes, we organized on nine statewide college campuses with over 30,000 students to turn down the ballot initiative, and maintain the Equal Rights Law for Mainers. Colleges included (University of Maine at Orono, University of Maine at Farmington, University of Southern Maine at Portland, University of Southern Maine at Gorham, Colby College, Kennebec Valley Community College, Southern Maine Community College, Maine College of Art, and University of New England). |
2005 Military Recruitment in Schools |
The League has been a major force working with School Committee members on two progressive policies that protect public school students from organizations that discriminate, and military recruiters that have access to high school students information. The League's role has been two fold. With the flier policy the League sent emails to our three 2004 endorsed candidates (who were elected) urging them to vote for the study that would look into ending the open policy of discrimination. It was rumored that 100 emails were sent to the three school committee members. Then on June 1st the League cruised over to the School Committee meeting with twenty-eight members, read a prepared statement supporting the end of open discrimination, and influenced all three endorsed candidates to vote for the resolution. With the military recruitment policy the League has joined forces with local activists to support the new format of putting the opt-out policy on the back of student emergency cards. |
