• Education and Advocacy

    The LWVSP encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. LWVSP promotes political responsibility through informed and active participation in government and acts on selected governmental issues.

  • Diversity and Inclusion

    LWVSP affirms its commitment to reflect the diversity of Minnesota in its membership. We understand that diverse perspectives are important and necessary for responsible and representative decision-making; both diversity and pluralism are fundamental to the LWVSP values. Practicing inclusivity enhances the organization’s ability to respond more effectively to changing conditions and needs.
    In both its values and practices, LWVSP affirms that there shall be no barriers to participation in any activity on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. LWVSP will continue to seek new ways to enable direct participation of members from throughout the area.

  • Nonpartisan and Nonprofit

    The LWVSP is a nonpartisan political organization focused on encouraging informed and active participation in government, influencing public policy through education and advocacy. As a nonpartisan organization, we do not endorse political parties or candidates. We also understand that as voters, our members make partisan choices. However, we take care to prevent and avoid in the eyes of the public, either an actual or apparent conflict of interest.

ELECTION JUDGES NEEDED NOW

ELECTION JUDGES are needed in our area! Sign up NOW for training.

NOTE: If you are a new applicant, you will NOT be eligible to serve at the March 5 Presidential Nomination Primary (PNP). HOWEVER, training for new applicants is scheduled for the spring/early summer. You WILL be eligible to serve for the August 13 Primary Election and the General Election on November 5.

Students age 16 and up are encouraged to sign up to be an election judge trainee.

By training to be an election judge, you will be providing a valuable service to your community. You will learn a system that has a myriad of checks and balances to ensure that all forms of voting are safe, secure, and fair.

To learn more, use the following links to learn how to apply:

Blue Earth County: https://www.blueearthcountymn.gov/432/Election-Judges

Nicollet County: https://www.saintpetermn.gov/359/Election-Judges

LeSueur County: https://www.cityoflesueur.com/222/Become-an-Election-Judge

LWV - St. Peter Area Candidate Forums

Video Now Available!

St. Peter Mayor and City Council

St. Peter School Board

The League of Women Voters - St. Peter Area, with co-sponsors St. Peter Chamber of Commerce and St. Peter Herald, recently hosted candidate forums for St. Peter Mayor and City Council and for St. Peter School Board.

Both forums were recorded without an audience. Unedited videos of the events are now available on St. Peter Public Access TV and its YouTube channel, CityofSaintPeterMinnesota and on the Leagues Facebook page (League of Women Voters of St. Peter) and website League of Women Voters - St. Peter Area.

The League of Women Voters Minnesota and our local Leagues conduct candidate forums to provide the public with an opportunity to hear candidates discuss the issues that are important to members of the public. The League is a nonpartisan organization that does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. The views expressed in each forum are those of the candidates, not those of the League of Women Voters. LWV-Minnesota and our local Leagues post complete, unedited recordings of forums. Editing is authorized only for official media reporting. Excerpts or edited clips of candidate forums may not be used for partisan or political purposes.

Complete LWV - St. Peter Area forum policies may be requested by email at lwvstpeter@lwvmn.org

National Voter Registration Day

September 19, 2023

Mankato East High School

St. Peter High School

Mankato West High School

LWV - St. Peter Area volunteers hosted two pop-up events, one each at Mankato East, Mankato West, and St. Peter High Schools. Students took an online quiz to see what they knew about the youth vote (Ages 18 - 29). They learned they are a powerful group of potential voters — and they will vote to use their voices at the ballot box when they turn 18.

[Fun facts: Nationwide, only 23% of voters in this age group participated in the 2022 midterm elections. Minnesota was one of the top performing states in this age group, byt still just slightly over 30%. Around 4 million people in the U.S. turn 18 every year. SOURCE: Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Tufts University (CIRCLE)]

Secretary of State Steve Simon to Visit New Ulm Area to Discuss New Election Laws on August 1

Secretary of State Steve Simon will be at the New Ulm Public Library, 17 N Broadway, on Tuesday August 1 at 4pm to talk with community members and answer voters’ questions.

All are invited to attend this free, open meeting to learn about Minnesota’s historic voting legislation that went into effect on July 1, 2023.

"Minnesota is seeing the enactment of once-in-a-generation legislation that will make ourdemocracy stronger by expanding access while improving security,” said Secretary Steve Simon.

“Numerous small and large changes are being put into place right now, and will continue in the coming year, that will improve the voting experiences acrossthe state making us a leader in elections administration for years to come.”

Several significant election law changes that are now in effect include the restoration of the right to vote for those with felony convictions who are not currently incarcerated; pre-registration for 16-and-17-year-olds; and protections for election workers from threats and harassment. Other election laws passed in the 2023 legislative session will go into effect in 2024 and beyond, including automatic voter registration; the creation of a permanent absentee voter list; expanded hours for voting before election day; and, the creation of an 18-day early voting period.

Details on these laws and more are available on the Minnesota Secretary of State website. A more fully annotated list of all the voting and election law policy changes that occurred during the 2023 session can also be found on the League of Women Voters of Minnesota website.

LWV Minnesota and LWV New Ulm encourage and welcome our community members to attend this special opportunity to visit personally with our Minnesota Secretary of State.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon has launched a new webpage and webinar to dispel misinformation about election security and show why Minnesota elections are safe, fair and accurate. For more information, go to this link: Fair and Accurate Elections. You’ll also find it linked on our Voter Services page.

Election Integrity:

How do I know the election is accurate, fair, and secure?

Minnesota Reformer A seven-part series on every step of the election process illustrating the layers of safety protocols in place.

ELECTIONS 411 A webpage from the League of Women Voters - MN providing detailed information about the security protocols embedded in the elections system that consistently puts Minnesota at the top in the country in voter turnout and election integrity.

PRESIDENT: Colleen Jacks

VICE-PRESIDENT: Joan Easton

TREASURER: Linda Witte

SECRETARY: rotating

VOTER SERVICES: Phyllis Anderson

ACTION AND ADVOCACY: Carolyn Dobler

COMMUNICATIONS: Cindy Olson

AT LARGE: Kim Beetcher, Mary Murray