LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

The right to vote ensures that citizens have a voice in the political decision-making that impacts their lives. This right, guaranteed by Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is viewed as the pillar for global peace.

In 2018, in an editorial, the News Tribune issued a challenge. While celebrating the 72% turnout in the 2018 midterm elections and the 80% in the 2016 presidential election, the paper urged, “We can do better, of course.”

Voting is an honor and privilege for all citizens.

Minnesotans want to be proud of America’s role in the global community. As the most powerful nation on the planet, we should be leading causes of humanity, addressing climate change, promoting nuclear disarmament, and fostering global diplomacy. Instead we are experiencing a vast inequality of wealth in America, a vulnerable economy, a climate crisis, the militarization of our police, and a lack of resilience in our health care systems — all of which have been exasperated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Monitoring the June 10 Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board meeting, the League of Women Voters-Duluth Natural Resources Committee was shocked when the board, against strong positive recommendations from its own staff, voted unanimously to table a funding request from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The band sought $250,000 toward a $1.347 million project to provide a new water source and treatment for Mahnomen and Brookston, where the current water supply is contaminated (“ IRRR tables Fond du Lac funding over band's 'anti-mining' stances,” June 11 ).

In response to the police killing of George Floyd, the League of Women Voters of the United States issued a call to action to the 700-plus state and local league units in the U.S., including the 200-plus members of the League of Women Voters of Duluth.

Meetings last week attracted 17 people interested in rebooting Superior-Douglas County group

Now is the time to make a big impact locally. We are in an "off-year" voting cycle, which risks low voter turnout.

As a member of the League of Women Voters — a group that, before taking a position on any issue studies that issue and takes consensus and that has taken a very strong position on climate change — I was on hand, along with many other league members from Duluth, to support the Youth Climate Strike at City Hallon Sept. 20.