Learn How You Can Make Our Democracy Work Best: My Conversation with LWV President
Our democracy and especially our elections take a lot of work. As a horticulturist, I can appreciate this Ronald Reagan quote: “Democracy is not a fragile flower; still it needs cultivating.” In that spirit, I was thrilled that we were able to host Evelyn C Murphy, PhD, President of the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Monmouth County and Chair of the Nominating Committee for the League of Women Voters of New Jersey for our recent Ladies Who Lunch Conversations to help us better nurture and grow our great American democracy.
I had been an active League of Women Voter member for many years, as I explained, mainly working on clean water issues and on the night of presidential elections, I felt very cool going to each of the polling stations in my area and reporting the early results to the media.
Overall, I beleive there’s no better organization for a bi-partisan resource. They not only assist with voting and elections, but they also tackle important issues that communities want to find solutions for. Learn about their fascinating history ~ launched in 1920 ~ on Valentine’s Day. Cosmic? Maybe not. It could suggest or imply a true “Love.” This grassroots organization “believes voters should play a critical role in democracy.” Is there a truer love letter?
While I had become a non-active member for several reasons due to career and travel, I continued to participate in their talks, newsletter and in donating to their excellent work. Then, just recently, I formally re-joined and participated in a voter registration at the local community college.
Seeing the need and wanting to reach my Ladies Who Lunch Conversations tribe, I invited Evelyn to be our special guest. And she agreed!
Evelyn C Murphy PhD
During our Conversation, we learned about Evelyn and her impressive career. An economist by training, Evelyn began her career in the banking industry at the Federal Reserve Banks of New York and Minneapolis before moving to the nonprofit sector. Today, she works with nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and government agencies as a management consultant. Evelyn holds a BA in Economics from Manhattanville College and a PhD in Economics from Michigan State University with concentrations in industrial organization, banking, and finance.
I asked how Evelyn was able to manage a family and her career and work/life balance. She offered some strong tips and amusing memories about taking some family “business” calls!
She also relates an amusing anecdote with regard to a possible re-naming of the League of Women Voters brand moniker to drop the “Women” in order to reflect its now more than 75K members, (800 chapters), of any gender.
In addition to her position as president of her chapter, Evelyn is an LWVNJ Certified Moderator and Co-chairs the state’s Moderator Team. At the national level, Evelyn was appointed to the LWVUS League Structure Task force in 2021, charged with addressing organizational capacity and in 2023 served on the Business Modeling Working Group of the Framing the Future phase. In March 2021, she served as an LWVUS Delegate to the 65th Annual Session of the UN Committee on the Status of Women.
She lives in Neptune with her cat, Ruth Bunny Girl, (how cute is that?!) and enjoys traveling with her three daughters who live in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Alaska.
As you will hear and see when watching the videocast, Evelyn is an assured, thoughtful leader.
She walked us through making a plan to vote. She also reminded us of the importance of voting and not just for the US president but for all the local electeds, along with community issues that can range from schools to open spaces to clean water.
Thank you so much for honoring us, Evelyn. It was a most enjoyable and informative Conversation. And of course, I couldn’t agree more with your choice of favorite cocktail. You’re a classic! (See the video to learn what Evelyn’s preferred cocktail is.)
Evelyn also detailed The League of Women Voters guide to voting ~ starting with your plan. I’ve included the LWV tips here for your convenience:
Vote Early: Make a Plan
The League of Women Voters encourages everyone to vote early in the November 5th, 2024, General Election. With early voting polling locations in each county open over a nine-day period ahead of election day, voters benefit from more options to cast their vote. There is no need to wait until the last minute to vote this year.
Develop a personal voting plan now to ensure you are prepared to make your voice heard while juggling everyday responsibilities. To find polling locations and secure ballot drop box locations, visit VOTE411.org, the League of Women Voters' one-stop shop for everything you need to make a voting plan.
Vote Early Day is October 29, 2024 Visit https://voteearlyday.org to make your plan and celebrate Vote Early Day!
Three Ways to Vote in the 2024 General Election
Vote on Election Day November 5, 2024 at your polling place.
Vote early at one of your county’s early voting sites from October 26 - November 3, 2024.
Vote using a Vote-By-Mail Ballot and return the ballot in a Secure Drop Box, through the mail, or deliver it in-person to your County Board of Elections office
Vote-By-Mail
How to Apply to Vote-By-Mail
There is still time to apply for a Vote-By-Mail Ballot. To apply through the mail, the Vote-By-Mail application must be received by the County Clerk by October 29, 2024. Find Vote-By-Mail applications by county here.
Voters can also apply for a Vote-By-Mail Ballot in-person at their County Clerk's office. The deadline to apply in-person is 3pm on November 4, 2024. Some County Clerk's offices will be open for extended hours the weekend leading up to the in-person deadline - but you need to call your County Clerk's office to check hours. Find your County Clerk's address and phone number here.
You can check your Vote-By-Mail status using the Track My Ballot Tool or by contacting your county clerk.
Drop box: Place your ballot in one of your county's secure ballot drop boxes by 8:00pm on November 5, 2024.
By mail: Must be postmarked by November 5, 2024.
In-person: Deliver your ballot in person to your county's Board of Elections Office by 8:00pm on November 5, 2024.
Cheers!
