Residents are urged to get out and vote

WEST CHESTER » The pandemic has changed the way the League of Women Voters of Chester County informs citizens.

The nonpartisan, 180 member, all-volunteer, grassroots organization’s purpose is to serve the local community, while promoting informed active citizen participation in government, and by acting on selected government issues.

Usually, the league sets up tables packed with information at malls, festivals, naturalization ceremonies and other places where voters and prospective voters congregate.

The organization is composed of both women and men, has been around for 100 years and was anticipating a tremendous year with the 2020 presidential elections scheduled this year, until it was learned that in-person contact no longer worked.

A League spokesperson talked about the importance of voting.

“Voting is a privilege and also a responsibility to be educated and understand who the candidates are, and what they represent, and to make an educated vote for more than just the presidential election,” said the spokesperson.

This year, the county was divided into five sections by the League. Section leaders make contact with volunteers who provide materials and information.

Those volunteers are asked to reach out to libraries, religious organizations, townships, organizations providing care to older people, schools, food banks and other organizations seeking information.

Information is posted on the League’s website, which outlines key voting process tasks, such as, registering to vote, checking registration, finding polling places, mail in ballot applications, as well as listing other valuable sites.

The League is wellknown for its candidate forums. The organization is experiencing a large learning curve to understand the best practices for virtual forums. The League has also teamed with other organizations such as the NAACP.

The candidate forums allow voters to hear competing candidates share their individual background, platforms and responses to the same voter generated question in the same limited amount of time.

Pennsylvania’s official voter information website, www.votespa.com allows citizens to access information in dozens of languages. The League also disseminates information in Spanish.

The League welcomes new members. For more information, call 610-644-5960.

For a bevy of information, go to the League’s website at LWWCCPA.org

Chester County Voter Services supplies timely information at www.CHESCO. org/156/Voter-Services

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A get out and vote sign on Upper Gulph Road in Easttown. The general election is Nov. 3 this year.