Beyond the Ballot

Meet the League of Women Voters chapters of northern Michigan

By Kierstin Gunsberg | March 16, 2024

It was the spring of 1919, and president of the National Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) Carrie Chapman Catt was chomping at the bit. Even as the organization was celebrating its 50th anniversary, it still hadn’t completed its mission of equal voting rights for women. NAWSA had made headway, sure, having already won the right to vote in a handful of states, but the endgame was a constitutional amendment guaranteeing all women across the country that right.

Now, at NAWSA’s St. Louis convention, Catt steadied herself against the crowd to stress the importance of convincing the all-male U.S. Congress that after stepping into men’s jobs throughout World War I, women had proven time and time again that they were fully capable of making decisions equal to their male counterparts.

“Let us raise up a League of Women Voters,” Catt rallied, proposing that this nonpartisan league would “use its utmost influence to secure the final enfranchisement of the women of every state.” The league, strong in numbers, would then be equipped to “reach out across the seas”' to help women around the world establish their rights in an uprising of empowerment through equality.

So was the beginning of the League of Women Voters (LWV), which was established just a year later in 1920, preceding women’s suffrage finally being established that same year.

For Catt and other members of the LWV, ratification was just the beginning. Now that women could line up at elections, the LWV focused on educating these new voters on their rights and responsibilities through voter registration drives, candidate forums, and the publication of voter guides, providing nonpartisan info on candidates and ballot measures.

Over time, the LWV’s membership has grown (and now includes members of all genders too!), and so have its efforts, taking on social and civic issues beyond a woman’s right to vote, including working alongside Civil Rights activists to push for legislation like the Voting Rights Act of 1965, leading environmental protection initiatives, and advocating for healthcare reform and immigration policies.

A century after its launch, the LWV has over 750 chapters across the country, with four right here in northern Michigan. Northern Express caught up with the Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Manistee, and Petoskey chapters to find out more about their current efforts, goals, and impacts.

League of Women Voters Northern Lower Michigan (Petoskey area)

Robin Jordan, President

Express: When did your league get its start, and how did it get off the ground?
Jordan: The groundwork started in 2017 with four women sitting around a kitchen table talking about how to support informed voting. We had become aware of the dis- and mis-information during the 2016 election campaign season, and we all felt the need to do something. The LWV seemed like a good fit.

We put the word out, and 35 people came to our first organizational meeting. We went through the required process of mentorship [and] … LWV Northern Lower Michigan (LWVNLM) was officially recognized in 2019 after a two-year mentorship.

Express: What encouraged you to join the LWV, and when did you join?
Jordan: We appreciated that the League is nonpartisan. We don’t talk politicians or political
parties, and honestly, it’s refreshing. Supporting voting rights, protecting democracy—these are American issues, not partisan ones. The League founders firmly believed that being nonpartisan would protect the organization from being mired in party politics of the day, and that still holds true. Our state and local mentors strongly impressed that principle upon us. 

Express: What have you gained from your experiences with the organization?
Jordan: I’ve learned a lot about both the voting process and how government works! My background is in healthcare, not politics, and it’s a bit shocking to look back and realize how little I knew about how local, state, and national government works and its impact in our daily lives. I’ve learned firsthand by working elections that the multiple checks and balances in the voting process keep voter fraud extremely rare. It’s not possible for hordes of unregistered people to vote, or for a person to cast multiple ballots and go undetected. 

Express: What kind of impact is the league making on the lives of women in northern Michigan?
Jordan: Our broad goal is to engage community members in issues pertinent to our everyday lives to help support informed voting, to promote citizen engagement in local government, and to encourage all eligible community members to vote. Based on the growth of our local League and attendance at our public forums, I believe we’re having some success. 

Express: What issues is your league currently focused on, both locally and nationally?
Jordan: Leagues at all levels are focused on protecting and expanding voter rights to ensure everyone is represented in our democracy.

In Michigan with the passage of Proposal 2, the Michigan LWV has supported the dissemination of information on our expanded voting rights and voting security in communities across the state. The Michigan LWV has also focused on supporting the National Popular Vote, which … applies the concept of “one person, one vote” to our presidential elections, making every voter, in every state, have an equal vote in every presidential election.

Locally, many of our members have trained as poll workers and have been invited to participate in elections in our three-county service area. Local election clerks have appreciated our nonpartisan position and willingness to support their efforts.

We also provide public forums on topics of local interest. For example, in March, we have a public forum titled “Surviving Near the Poverty Line in Northern Michigan” based on the Michigan ALICE report and local service agency data.

Another example is our 17-person Observer Corps program. LWVNLM members regularly attend local government meetings and report on meeting transparency and conduct, and the issues discussed. It’s part of citizen engagement and support of good government.

League of Women Voters of Leelanau County

Tricia Denton, President

Express: When did your league get its start, and how did it get off the ground?
Denton: Having begun as a discussion group and evolving into a unit of the LWV Grand Traverse Area in 2008, The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County became the 391st League in America in June, 2013. LWVLC’s first President, Vina Mikesell, was instrumental in this League’s early development.

Express: What encouraged you to join the LWV, and when did you join?
Denton: It was the one stop shop for all the issues I’m passionate about—politically active but not partisan! A wonderful space to engage with others to create the communities we all deserve, for our children, our elders, all above the fray of the whims and polarization of partisan politics.

Express: What have you gained from your experiences with the organization?
Denton: Confidence and genuine sense of purpose, and knowing that I have contributed in ways that will have a positive impact for generations. 

Express: What kind of impact is the league making on the lives of women in northern Michigan?
Denton: Years of education and advocacy leading to policy that provides for senior services millage, early childhood millage, and water protection through time of transfer well and septic inspection program. When [we] care for our eldest and youngest community members and our environment, it’s good for all of us! Leelanau County consistently has [the] highest voter turnout in the state.

Express: What issues is your league currently focused on, both locally and nationally?
Denton: Voting rights, always! Publishing of the Equal Rights Amendment, shutting down Line 5, supporting transition to clean energy, and reduction in single use plastics and of solid waste through composting, recycling, and organic waste diversion from landfills.

League of Women Voters of the Grand Traverse Area (LWVGTA)

Christina Schlitt, Co-President

Express: When did your league get its start, and how did it get off the ground?
Schlitt: In 1960, when the Grand Traverse Area League received a Provisional Charter from LWV. At the start, women immediately began educating members and the community about voting rights and how to become an informed voter. The members also learned how to advocate on issues.

[Today,] LWVGTA produces an informational brochure called "They Represent You." The publication includes election dates, government officials and voter information. The League of Women Voters of the Grand Traverse Area includes five counties: Antrim, Benzie, Crawford, Grand Traverse, and Kalkaska. The League speaks with one voice based on our principles and positions.

Express: What encouraged you to join the LWV, and when did you join?
Schlitt: The voter service activities that the League is so active in facilitating for members and voters. They include voter guides (printed and online before elections), candidate forums, voter education about election laws and voter rights, voter registration and getting out the vote. 

I joined my local League in Grosse Pointe at the turn of the century and led the voter service efforts and then became president. I later joined the state board as VP of Membership, then became president. When we retired, my husband and I moved north and transferred to the Grand Traverse Area league, and [I] currently serve as co-president. 

Express: What have you gained from your experiences with the organization?
Schlitt: Enhanced leadership skills, involvement in advocating for and against issues to improve the rights of voters. The camaraderie with members and the community and other good government organizations to defend democracy. Observing the legislative process at all three levels and hopefully help bring sunshine to the government bodies and their work. 

Express: What kind of impact is the league making on the lives of women in northern Michigan?
Schlitt: In the process of educating voters and our membership, we encourage women to become involved in government through running for office or volunteering on local boards. The League is a trusted source of information and many people count on us for information—and again at all three levels.

If we can become more involved in government entities, we can influence positive support for our communities and families through: healthcare; pre-K [through] community college [education]; good common sense voting laws to support the democratic process; environmental issues to help address the climate change emergency; common sense firearm safety laws; DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) support for the traditionally underserved communities; and redistricting for fair and equitable elections—to name a few issues.

Express: What issues is your league currently focused on, both locally and nationally?
Schlitt: This is a big election year, and many new voting rights were voted on through Proposal 2 of 2022. Last year, the legislature developed statutes to practically apply the constitutional amendment. We are now working with our clerks to educate voters.

For example, in-person early voting is new to our state and voters have many questions. We are conducting town halls to educate the public and sharing the information in-person and virtually. We also advocate on issues many of which are listed above, which is very important to our membership.

We hold monthly programs that inform our community on issues of importance and interest. They are broadcast through TACM, Spectrum channel 189, and our Facebook page. Past recordings can be found on our website, lwvgta.org

League of Women Voters Manistee County

Nancy Behring, President

Express: When did your league get its start, and how did it get off the ground?
Behring: The Manistee League began in 2006 with an ad in the local newspaper asking for
people interested in forming a local League to come to a meeting, and it took off from
there!

Express: What encouraged you to join the LWV, and when did you join?
Behring: I had actually joined a League in Illinois years ago after a friend took me to a meeting. I was so impressed with how knowledgeable and friendly the members were, and I realized how little I knew about how our government functioned, especially at the state and local levels. I wanted to be someone who knew what was going on.

Express: What have you gained from your experiences with the organization?
Behring: I have made so many good friends throughout the years and have enjoyed working with people who are curious, thoughtful, and serious about important issues and helping others learn how they can make a difference in our democracy. It’s also given me an opportunity to take on various leadership roles.

Express: What kind of impact is the league making on the lives of women in northern Michigan?
Behring: The League provides a place to meet others who care about important issues affecting voters, a place to learn, a place to serve, and a place to lead. I would invite anyone who’s interested to attend a League meeting in your community and discover the opportunities that fit your time, talents, and interests.

Express: What issues is your league currently focused on, both locally and nationally?
Behring: Our national focus this important election year is “Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy,” so we will all be focused on voter education and engagement. Our League will be hosting Town Hall presentations on Michigan’s new election laws, registering voters, and holding candidate forums so that voters can hear and ask questions of those running for elected office.

In addition, before each election we provide nonpartisan information on the state and local candidates and any ballot issues on VOTE411.org, our electronic voter guide. The State League also provides a printed Voter Guide on all the statewide elections, which are
distributed throughout the state.

We will continue to advocate for the passage of the National Popular Vote, which would ensure that the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote nationally also wins in the Electoral College. There are bills supporting this in our state legislature this session.