Poll: Huge Majority Wants Firewall Between Judges, Election Backers
On Brink of Supreme Court Case, Public Says Bias Likely When Campaign Cash Is Involved
By overwhelming margins, U.S. adults doubt that elected judges can be impartial in cases involving their biggest election campaign financial supporters, and the public says judges should step aside from such cases, according to a new national poll by Harris Interactive.
Moreover, 81 percent say judges should not decide whether they can fairly hear a case, saying that another judge should weigh the facts when a judge’s neutrality is challenged.
The poll comes as the Supreme Court prepares to consider when judges whose campaign supporters appear before them should step aside.
“Americans overwhelmingly believe that campaign cash has no place in the courtroom,” said Bert Brandenburg, executive director of the Justice at Stake Campaign, a nonpartisan watchdog that works to protect courts from special-interest and partisan agendas. “They are very skeptical that a judge can be impartial when one side has spent big dollars to help put them on the bench.” Read More
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Ohio Redistricting Contest
LWV-Ohio is co-sponsoring a groundbreaking competition for redistricting in Ohio. Anyone can participate in the competition to draw Ohio’s congressional districts using the contest criteria.
The goal of the Ohio Redistricting Competition is to demonstrate that an open process based on objective criteria can produce fair legislative districts in Ohio. During the competition, it is our belief that a robust public conversation about the process can occur, leading to the development of the best possible redistricting recommendations for consideration by the Ohio General Assembly.
The Ohio Redistricting Competition represents the culmination of over nine months of planning amongst the League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWVO), Ohio Citizen Action, Common Cause, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Former State Representative Joan Lawrence, and State Representative Dan Stewart.
For more information visit LWV Ohio and www.ohioredistricting.org
The goal of the Ohio Redistricting Competition is to demonstrate that an open process based on objective criteria can produce fair legislative districts in Ohio. During the competition, it is our belief that a robust public conversation about the process can occur, leading to the development of the best possible redistricting recommendations for consideration by the Ohio General Assembly.
The Ohio Redistricting Competition represents the culmination of over nine months of planning amongst the League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWVO), Ohio Citizen Action, Common Cause, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Former State Representative Joan Lawrence, and State Representative Dan Stewart.
For more information visit LWV Ohio and www.ohioredistricting.org
Saturday, April 18, 2009
North Olmsted Mayoral Candidate Forum Set For April 16
The League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area, in cooperation with the Pine Ridge Homeowners Association and the Deerfield Park Civic Association in North Olmsted, invites North Olmsted residents to attend a Mayoral Candidate Forum on Thursday, April 16, 2009, starting at 7:00 pm, at the North Olmsted Middle School Auditorium, 27351 Butternut Ridge Road.
The four (4) mayoral candidates for the May 5th nonpartisan primary election, as listed by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, are:
Kevin Kennedy,
North Olmsted President of Council
John Lasko,
Chairman, North Olmsted Planning & Design Commission and North Olmsted School Board Member
Thomas O’Grady
Mayor City of North Olmsted
Timothy Smith,
Business Owner, North Olmsted
The May 5th primary will determine which two candidates will be the official mayoral candidates on the November 3rd municipal election ballot.
All North Olmsted residents are encouraged to attend the April 16th forum in order to get better acquainted with the candidates and cast an informed ballot on May 5th. For more information, visit the press release section of the website.
The four (4) mayoral candidates for the May 5th nonpartisan primary election, as listed by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, are:
Kevin Kennedy,
North Olmsted President of Council
John Lasko,
Chairman, North Olmsted Planning & Design Commission and North Olmsted School Board Member
Thomas O’Grady
Mayor City of North Olmsted
Timothy Smith,
Business Owner, North Olmsted
The May 5th primary will determine which two candidates will be the official mayoral candidates on the November 3rd municipal election ballot.
All North Olmsted residents are encouraged to attend the April 16th forum in order to get better acquainted with the candidates and cast an informed ballot on May 5th. For more information, visit the press release section of the website.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
LWV Consenus Meetings on NPV: April 7, 14
The League has a long-standing position in support of the direct election of the president by popular vote. Now, League members have the opportunity to consider whether to support the National Popular Vote Compact (NPV Compact) as a viable process to achieve that result. The NPV Compact would avoid the need for a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College (EC), and would assure that the individual receiving the most votes would become president.
Tuesday, April 7, 6:45pm – 9:00pm
Learn more by visiting LWVUS NPV. For additonal information, visit: www.NationalPopularVote.com/lwv
Members, if you can't participate in one of the two consensus meetings, download the questions here and send your reply to LWV Cuyahoga Area 50 Public Square, Rm. 938; Cleveland 44113
Tuesday, April 7, 6:45pm – 9:00pm
21255 Lorain Road Fairview Park, OH (Fairview Park Library)
Tuesday, April 14, 6:45pm – 9:00pm
Tuesday, April 14, 6:45pm – 9:00pm
2345 Lee Road Cleveland Heights, OH (Cleveland Heights Library)
Learn more by visiting LWVUS NPV. For additonal information, visit: www.NationalPopularVote.com/
Members, if you can't participate in one of the two consensus meetings, download the questions here and send your reply to LWV Cuyahoga Area 50 Public Square, Rm. 938; Cleveland 44113
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Northeast Ohio Region: Revenue Sharing: April 2
Completing First Thursday Forum’s 2008/09 season, the April 2 (7 - 9 pm) forum will feature a speaker panel including William Currin, Mayor of Hudson; Howard Maier, CEO of NOACA and Shara Davis, Lorain Community College, who will discuss possibilities of community revenue sharing and an overview of the Renaissance of the Northeast Ohio Region.
For more information about the speakers and the topics that they will be addressing, visit the press release section of the website: www.LWVCuyahogaArea.org
For more information about the speakers and the topics that they will be addressing, visit the press release section of the website: www.LWVCuyahogaArea.org
Funding for the First Thursday Forum project is provided by LWV Cuyahoga Area Education Fund. The April FTF will be held at Trinity Commons (Conference room A/B) at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue, the public is invited and reservations are not necessary. Cost is $5/person -$3/student at the Door. Free parking for attendees behind the Cathedral off Prospect Ave.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Senate seeks LWVO input on Redistricting and Election Oversight Reform
The League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWVO) was recently contacted by State Senator Jon Husted of Dayton regarding his plan to introduce legislation to change our state’s redistricting process and remove the duty of election oversight from the Ohio Secretary of State.
Sen. Husted has not yet presented a specific plan; however, during his meeting with LWVO Lobbyists Anne Henkener and Peg Rosenfield, he described concepts that are consistent with long-time LWVO objectives in these areas.
Husted has initiated meeting with key policy leaders and advocacy groups interested in these reforms. It is a testament to the respect of the League that Husted is seeking our support.
The LWVO will continue to follow this issue and provide updates as information becomes available.
Election Reform and Redistricting are part of the ImPACT program initiative. The ImPACT website is a premier repository of information on political reform issues. In addition to Election Reform and redistricting, other issues include: Accountability, Judicial Reform and Campaign Finance.
Sen. Husted has not yet presented a specific plan; however, during his meeting with LWVO Lobbyists Anne Henkener and Peg Rosenfield, he described concepts that are consistent with long-time LWVO objectives in these areas.
Husted has initiated meeting with key policy leaders and advocacy groups interested in these reforms. It is a testament to the respect of the League that Husted is seeking our support.
The LWVO will continue to follow this issue and provide updates as information becomes available.
Election Reform and Redistricting are part of the ImPACT program initiative. The ImPACT website is a premier repository of information on political reform issues. In addition to Election Reform and redistricting, other issues include: Accountability, Judicial Reform and Campaign Finance.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Ohio's Sunshine Law Commemorated: March 15-21
The week of March 15, 2009 has been designated as Sunshine Law Week in Ohio.
In an effort to help elected officials and the public to better understand the provisions and requirements of this important legislation, the LWV Cuyahoga Area Ed Fund has purchased 250 copies of the new LWV Ohio brochure, THE SUNSHINE LAW: OHIO’S OPEN MEETINGS ACT, to distribute to our 48 community Mayors. Presidents of Councils and other local officials as well as the Cuyahoga County Commissioners and other elected county officials.
The Open Meetings Act is to be liberally construed “to require public officials to take official action and to conduct all deliberations upon official business only in open meetings unless the subject matter is specifically excepted by law.”
On Friday, March 20, from 1-2:30 PM (ET), the LWVEF will co-host the 4th Annual Sunshine Week National Dialogue. The event, “Opening Doors: Finding the Keys to Open Government,” will be held at the Center for American Progress in Washington, DC. It will feature panels of experts from inside and outside government, who will discuss federal openness policies and opportunities for people to use government information to make a difference in their communities. It will be available via webcast at www.openthegovernment.org Audience members will have opportunities to ask questions of the panelists, and Leagues could consider combining the webcase with a follow-up panel to discuss local aspects of the issue.
The Maple Heights Library will host a viewing of the webcast on March 20, 1 - 4 pm; 5225 Library Lane, Maple Heights Library. Registration is required: 216-475-5000.
Sunshine Law brochure.
In an effort to help elected officials and the public to better understand the provisions and requirements of this important legislation, the LWV Cuyahoga Area Ed Fund has purchased 250 copies of the new LWV Ohio brochure, THE SUNSHINE LAW: OHIO’S OPEN MEETINGS ACT, to distribute to our 48 community Mayors. Presidents of Councils and other local officials as well as the Cuyahoga County Commissioners and other elected county officials.
The Open Meetings Act is to be liberally construed “to require public officials to take official action and to conduct all deliberations upon official business only in open meetings unless the subject matter is specifically excepted by law.”
On Friday, March 20, from 1-2:30 PM (ET), the LWVEF will co-host the 4th Annual Sunshine Week National Dialogue. The event, “Opening Doors: Finding the Keys to Open Government,” will be held at the Center for American Progress in Washington, DC. It will feature panels of experts from inside and outside government, who will discuss federal openness policies and opportunities for people to use government information to make a difference in their communities. It will be available via webcast at www.openthegovernment.org Audience members will have opportunities to ask questions of the panelists, and Leagues could consider combining the webcase with a follow-up panel to discuss local aspects of the issue.
The Maple Heights Library will host a viewing of the webcast on March 20, 1 - 4 pm; 5225 Library Lane, Maple Heights Library. Registration is required: 216-475-5000.
Sunshine Law brochure.
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