What fun we’ve had!
Registering Kennedy students to vote on May 7th, 2024
League members got the inside scoop on Civics education in Bloomington schools
People powered fair maps
League members got an inside look at a redistricting bill the LWVMN is supporting for this legislative session from Paul Huffman, Election and Redistricting Policy, at our meeting on February 6.
View presentation here
City-Wide Civics Bee Championship
The City-Wide Civics Bee Championship unfolded on January 31 in the City Council Chambers. Seven 7th grade finalists, representing Oak Grove, Olson, and Valley View Middle Schools, vied for victory in this academic showdown. Mayor Tim Busse served as the event's moderator, guiding the student contestants through a diverse array of civics-related questions.
Following 13 intense rounds of questioning, Josiah Brecheisen from Olson Middle School clinched 1st place. Ryan Frischmonfrom Valley View Middle School secured 2nd place honors, while Sawyer Hand from Oak Grove Middle School claimed 3rd place.
This prestigious competition was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the League of Women Voters – Bloomington, Bloomington Public Schools, City’s Community Outreach and Engagement Division. When asked why studying civics matters, Valley View Middle School Social Studies teacher, Greg Erbisch stated the following, “You can’t be successful in life unless you know the game and civics does that. It teaches you how to be a good citizen.”
WINTER POTLUCK!
League members enjoyed a time of reflection and joy. President Corinne Shepherd shared the Annual Report - view it here.
Nov 14th Member Meeting
Sam Streukens, Civic Engagement Director at the LWVMN discussed the League’s advocacy work at the Capitol.
See his presentation here
Voter 101
Melanie Hazlip, Voter Outreach Director for the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, thoroughly explained Minnesota's new laws on election administration.
oct member meeting -Bloomington Forward
For more information on ballot questions regarding a half-cent local sales tax that would finance three projects, see bloomingtonforward.org
Sept 20th Districts l, ll, lll, lV Council Forum concluded our 2023 Forum events.
Mayoral and City Council Forums Sept 19th
Candidates answered excellent questions submitted by the audience and emailed before the Forum.
School Board Forum Sept 13th
Over 70 people attended the School Board Forum!
September Member Meeting
Thanks to Jeanne Massey and FairVote Minnesota for a comprehensive review of how Ranked Choice Voting works to give voters more voice while saving the time and expense of a low-turnout primary. Voters will be able to rank their choice for one At-Large and the District 4 Council Member.
July Member meeting
Mike Dardis, President of Bloomington Remembers Veterans spoke about the plans for a memorial to all veterans and their families of past, present and future military conflicts.
Town Hall With SD 50 & 51 Legislators
On June 14th, the Bloomington LWV co-hosted a very informative Town Hall with Rep Nathan Coulter, Rep Steve Elkins, Senator Alice Mann, Rep Heather Edelson, and Senator Melissa H. Wiklund.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Citizen Blue Civic Engagement Program
Members of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Citizen Blue Civic Engagement Program presented at our Monthly Member Meeting on June 6th.
At our May 2nd Member Meeting, we made a lot of progress with our plans for a program on how to spot misinformation.
5/2/23
We enjoyed our time together to celebrate May Day at the Taste of Scandinavia. 5/1/23
The Richfield ECO Fair was a success! LWVB members were there in support of the event sponsored by the Richfield LWV and City of Richfield at RHS. 4/15/23
We enjoyed a very educational and fun discussion with Emma Struss, Bloomington’s Sustainability Coordinator. Click here to see her persentation about the positive action the City is taking to affect the direction of climate change. 4/4/23
The mid-season Senate District 50 Town Hall featuring Senator Alice Mann, Rep. Heather Edelson, and Rep Steve Elkins was well attended and very informative. Hosted jointly by the Edina and Bloomington League of Women Voters. 3/14/23
League members join fellow League members Representative Steve Elkins and wife Judy.
MN Legislature passes Restore the Vote! Your criminal record no longer affects your right to vote in Minnesota unless you are currently serving a felony conviction sentence, including probation or parole.
Learn more about your right to vote if you have a criminal record, or are facing criminal charges with this handout from the MN Secretary of State.
March 8th - Women’s Equality Day
Bloomington and Richfield LWV “EMBRACE EQUITY” at our March 8th Member Meeting. Speaker Suzann Willhite explained the history of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the legislature’s plan to pass an amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution and a resolution urging Congress to add the ERA to the US Constitution after it passed in 2020. The Minnesota amendment would protect our current human rights law from being overturned. Twenty-seven states have constitutions protecting equal rights, and 38 have passed the ERA, meeting the threshold required. If the amendment bill passes this session, it will be on the ballot for voters in 2024. 3/8/23
Faith Jackson, Bloomington's Racial Equity Coordinator, was our speaker for the February 7 meeting. 2/7/23
2022- 2023 City-Wide Civics Bee Championship
Congratulations to the contestants who participated in the City-Wide Civics Bee Championship (2022-23). This city-wide competition is the result of a collaborative effort by the League of Women Voters – Bloomington and Bloomington Public Schools with support from the City of Bloomington’s Community Outreach & Engagement Division. This championship round brings together the top 7th grade contestants from the Level II Civics Bees that were held at Oak Grove Middle School, Olson Middle School and Valley View Middle School. During this final competition, Mayor Tim Busse moderated the event as student contestants were tested on a broad range of topics related to civics. After many rounds of questions, Zach Hodgson from Oak Grove Middle School won 1st place, Aidan Andrews from Olson Middle School won 2nd place, and Momo Hawkinson from Valley View Middle School won 3rd place. 1/25/23
January Member Meeting
We started 2023 with an exercise in Grassroots power as we came together at our member meeting to engage in the Consensus Study Process to review the LWV 2022 Firearms in Minnesota - Consensus Study Report. 1/3/23
The Firearms Position Statement can be found on the LWV Minnesota Website under Member Resources.