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Opinion

Boyce-Wilson: Count on women to show up and vote

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Voter turnout is a big deal during elections, and women do not take lightly the right to vote.

It may be surprising to learn that in recent elections, more American women have voted than men.

This is true of all ethnicities and all age groups in both presidential election years and midterm elections.

The tide turned in the 1980s and it has not shown signs of slowing down. With the many hot issues confronting us such as mass shootings and reproductive rights, it will be indeed interesting to see the outcome of the upcoming elections.

With all the campaign signs in the neighborhood, you are aware that an election is near. Arizona’s Primary election date is Aug. 2, and because of redistricting, things have changed.

The results of the 2020 US census required every state to “redistrict,” or change boundaries of legislative voting districts. Regardless of your state of residency, simply by entering your address, you will find the Vote411.org site valuable to learn the boundaries of your new district, register to vote, find your polling place, learn when elections are scheduled, etc. The site is managed by the League of Women Voters.

The League of Women Voters is strictly nonpartisan; it neither supports nor opposes candidates for office at any level of government.

The League makes a difference at every level of government because of the energy and passion of thousands of members around the country who work together to safeguard our democracy.

VOTE411.org is a “one-stop-shop” for election related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on the following aspects of the election process:

  • Absentee ballot information;
  • Ballot measure information (where applicable);
  • Early voting options (where applicable);
  • Election dates;
  • Factual data on candidates in various federal, state, and local races
  • General information on such topics as how to watch debates with a critical eye;
  • ID requirements;
  • Polling place locations;
  • Registration deadlines;
  • Voter qualifications;
  • Voter registration forms;
  • Voting machines.

An important component of VOTE411.org is the polling place locator, which enables users to type in their address and retrieve the poll location for the voting precinct in which that address is located.

The League has found that this is among the most sought-after information in the immediate days leading up to, and on, Election Day.

Be prepared and informed. Get ready to vote.

Editor’s note: Bonnie Boyce-Wilson wrote this for Women’s Watch; she is a member of the League of Women Voters, Northwest Maricopa County.