The League of Women Voters of Kentucky announced the formation of a local league in the Northern Kentucky region, joining more than 700 local leagues throughout the country, including five in Kentucky: Bell County, Hopkinsville, Lexington, Louisville, and Murray. The new Northern KY league will be led by Becky Smith Jones and Jane Page-Steiner.
Becky Smith Jones is a resident of Fort Wright, and Jane Page-Steiner resides in Covington. Ms. Smith Jones is a lifelong Kenton County resident who was raised in Ludlow and is a graduate of Morehead State University and Xavier University. She owns Smith Jones Consulting, LLC, and serves on the Board of The Victorian at Riverside, a non-profit, personal-care residence for senior women in Covington. She is also active in the United Methodist Church through statewide conference work and with her local congregation in Ludlow.
Ms. Page-Steiner is President of JPS Nonprofit Strategies, owner and publisher of The Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News, and a member of the Covington Business Council. Ms. Page-Steiner lived in Cincinnati prior to moving to the Licking-Riverside District of Covington. The two women met each other through their shared work on behalf of The Victorian at Riverside and subsequently discovered their mutual interest in the LWV.
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What are your overall goals for the new League of Women Voters in Northern Kentucky?
Simply put, our overall goal for the Northern Kentucky LWV is to work with women and men who are similarly motivated to help make this nation a more perfect union. The League’s legacy as a non-partisan, activist, grassroots organization compels us to thoughtfully challenge “what is” with the hope of “what can be.”
We believe that the strength of our democracy depends on informed citizens who understand that their influence isn’t limited to Election Day, nor is it confined to the ballot. Following our current election-focused voter education efforts, we will immediately be involved in the League’s Fair Maps redistricting campaign to oppose partisan and racial gerrymandering. Member involvement and interest determines our focus on additional issues, so there are many opportunities to expand the League’s reach and influence as we grow.
2. What drives your decision to take a leadership role in the formation of a local NKY League of Women Voters?
We believe the League of Women Voters represents the most admirable aspects of political involvement. Diversity of thought doesn’t divide us; it is what makes us stronger as we research, study, and engage in thoughtful dialogue. We support the principles of the LWV and look forward to working with others in the NKY League to strengthen democracy in our region.
3. What was the impetus for forming a local NKY League now as opposed to forming a league years ago?
There was a league in NKY many years ago but it dissolved. The impetus for forming a League now is that a number of women and men in NKY joined the League as state members and others contacted the state League expressing an interest in helping with voter registration and providing nonpartisan information about candidates. That provided the basis for forming a local League here.
4. Specifically, how does the League go about the important process of informing and educating voters?
The League is working on two aspects of information for voters this fall. First, helping them understand the changes in the voting process due to the COVID pandemic. We are gathering information, providing it on VOTE411.org and the KY League website (lwvky.org), and sharing information via social media.
The second aspect is providing nonpartisan information about candidates. The League has a long history of sponsoring candidate forums (there is not enough time during this election cycle to host forums in NKY). We also offer VOTE411.org, a voter guide that can be accessed on phones, tablets, and computers. The local group will be working to encourage candidates to participate on that platform.
5. What kinds of events does the League sponsor to promote participation in our democracy?
The League studies issues, prepares reports, and offers issue forums. Right now our focus has been on the changes in voting because of COVID. We are also working on a Fair Maps redistricting campaign, speaking to groups across the state.
We are working to provide clear and concise information about changes in the election process. To that end, local groups have hosted online forums with local county clerks.
This year local Leagues have provided activities and information about the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote, and the history of the League as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of both.
6. Voter suppression is shaping up to be a primary issue in the upcoming election. How does the League plan to fight voter suppression?
The League lobbied against SB 2 last winter, the bill requiring a photo ID in order to vote.
We also were party to a lawsuit, asking that the changes in voting in the primary election be used in the general election to assure citizens could vote without fear of contracting COVID-19. We also asked that SB 2 be waived for the general election. That suit has been withdrawn as the regulations for voting generally addressed our concerns.
For many years, the League has advocated for restoring voting rights to persons convicted of felony offenses, who have fully completed sentencing. This year with the governor’s executive order pardoning persons with nonviolent felonies, we are working to reach out to those citizens and help them register to vote.
7. How does the League work to reduce big money in politics?
We support actions taken by the national League on that issue as well as provide information for our members.
8. What will the league do to promote transparent redistricting processes that end partisan gerrymandering?
The League has embarked on a Fair Maps campaign, informing the public about the upcoming redistricting and the need to participate in the census. We are speaking to groups across the state, sharing information about our current maps and will at some point in the future, share maps that will be developed using a process guided by nonpartisan League parameters.
9. What do you see as the most pressing issue facing Kentucky voters today? What is the League’s plan for addressing that issue?
The biggest issue for voters right now is voting in the general election. There is confusion about where and how to vote, concern about postal delivery of absentee ballots, and concern about long lines on election day.
We are working to inform voters of the three ways they can vote safely, assure their votes count and avoid long lines. These include:
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- Absentee ballots, which can be mailed or delivered to county clerks’ drop boxes.
- Early in-person voting 3 weeks and 3 Saturdays before election day.
- Every county clerk submitted her/his plan for polling locations and hours to the Secretary of State and state Board of Elections.
- When approved, the clerks will publicize that information.
- Early voting should help shorten waiting lines and provide a safer way to vote in person.
- Voters do not need an excuse to vote in person on these early days.
- Election Day in-person voting, 6:00am – 6:00pm.
10. How will you get women involved in and engaged in the mission of the League?
The League includes women and men over age 16. We are reaching out locally with press releases, and the state League is helping advertise through their website and social media. Members are also promoting the NKY League via personal contacts and at the following Facebook page: LWVNKY or League of Women Voters of Northern Kentucky.
11. In five years, how will you know you were successful?
Each generation can choose to either breathe new life into an organization or enjoy the benefits of it and walk away. We choose the former.
Our success in five years will be found in how many others have joined us in the League’s causes and weighed in on the issues of the day. It will be measured in the unity of purpose that we nurture among stakeholders. Perhaps our success will even be known by our effect on specific legislation, but history teaches us that political influence takes time and is incremental.
We believe in five years the NKY League will be recognized as a trusted & respected regional asset that is engaged with the community for the long-haul.
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