From its beginning in 1963 the Catawba County League of Women Voters (LWVCV) had the registration of new voters as its major goal. Providing clear and well researched information for voters on local, state, and national candidates and concerns affecting the people of our county has been its core objective.
Early on, education in the three school systems in the county was a priority. As recorded in newsletters from 1965-66, League members attended all school board meetings, invited school board members from each system to speak at general and unit meetings, and compiled and distributed a bibliography of pertinent reports and educational material. In 1967-68, the League studied the use of supplementary taxes for the school systems and explored the potential of consolidating the three school systems.
Statewide emphasis was on efforts to promote equitable representation in the general assembly with an emphasis on voter qualifications including laws about: voter’s age, literacy, and residence requirements, as well as absentee voting laws as they were locally administered. The local league did not advocate specifically but wrote to the lawmakers urging “the passage of equitable redistricting.”
In the 1970s the League studied and supported the $3 million Clean Water and Sewer Bond.
Throughout the last century, League members continued their commitment to attend the regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners, and the school boards. The local League members worked tirelessly but unsuccessfully with the state League to encourage the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment during the 1980s.
The League has also hosted or co-sponsored:
candidates’ forums,
an annual Coffee with the Legislators that allowed citizens to meet our representatives and share local concerns about pending legislation.
voter registration of high school students across the county.
“Kids Voting” that allowed children to research candidates and practice voting.
Participation in the League has ebbed and flowed over the years. Men were added to its membership in 1973. In 2003 the LWVCV obtained official permission to modify its name and to include Alexander, Burke, and Caldwell Counties thus becoming the League of Women Voters Catawba Valley.
The League of Women Voters Catawba Valley is once again building its membership with the hope that like our founders, we will lead our community into more informed voting through education and participation.