A central mission of the League of Women Voters is to educate the public on the candidates and issues on the ballot. Historically, the League has done so through candidate forums and debates, along with studies and reports on key areas of concern. But beginning in 2006, it has harnessed technology to also provide an online tool that voters can use to make informed voting choices.

That tool,  VOTE411.org, is a wondrous achievement. With upgrades in recent years, it has become an easily navigable non-partisan source of voting information in both English and Spanish. Type in your street address, and it identifies the specific candidates and issues on the ballot at your polling place. Click on a candidate name, and you will see their responses to a set of questions on the crucial issues of the day. It also notifies you of the location of your polling site, how to secure an absentee ballot, upcoming elections, and voter registration deadlines. It allows you to check your voter registration status. 

Vote411 promotes an informed democracy. The site has won multiple awards for its comprehensive information and ease of use. Local League members, including our own invaluable Voter Services chair Judy Hoffman, enter information on local elections and ensure its accuracy. 

The website is funded by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and donations to the Fund are tax deductible. The Evanston League funds its own voter education efforts through not only your contributions, but through fundraising efforts, such as our recent Community Dinner. 

We thank you for supporting voter education through your actions, participation in our fundraisers, and attendance at our forums and debates. We kindly ask that you also do so by visiting Vote411.org and recommending it to your family, friends, and neighbors in all elections, including the momentous midterm elections this November. An educated electorate is indispensable to a well-functioning democracy. We are proud of our voter education efforts.

 

– Lisa & Georgia