As the November election nears, voters have a lot of choices to make. Who is the best candidate? What will the initiatives do depending on whether they vote “yes” or “no.” The Davis County League of Women Voters’ (LWV) mission is to try and educate the public on how they can make wise decisions about the issues on the ballot.

“The U.S. League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to protecting voting rights and ensuring that everyone is represented in our democracy,” said Davis LWV board member Susan Erhart. “The national league grew out of the women’s suffrage movement and was established in 1920.”

Erhart, who grew up in Davis County and recently moved back, said she got involved because it became increasingly clear how important it was for every voter to understand what they were voting on. “We want to make an effort for as many people as possible to be aware of the issues we face. They may not be aware of what a candidate stands for or the influence they have on others and fully appreciate what each vote means.”

Voters should have a good grasp of the issues, she said. “Why do leaders vote a certain way? As they investigate that aspect it may change their mind of how to vote. They need to weigh the pros and cons of each issue before casting a ballot.”

The league recently held a panel discussion on two amendments that could impact education. It was meant to give the public a chance to ask questions and get answers to better understand what they mean so that they can make an informed decision when they vote.

Erhart said one of the league's most popular activities is the “Meet the Candidates” forums. “Candidates for local, contested races answer questions about issues they will face if elected.” This year’s forums will be held Oct. 4 – 11. They will be live-streamed and community members can either watch in real time or view the recordings later at lwvutah.org/davis-voter-services. 

The Davis league generally meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Farmington Library to hear from experts on a variety of local issues.

“Other league activities include voter registration and outreach at community events, monitoring legislative meetings and serving as observers at city and county government meetings,” said Erhart.

The National League of Women Voters provides information on this year’s elections at Vote411.org. The site includes how to register to vote and see what will appear on the ballot in a specific area. Voters can access this information by typing in their address. 

For more information about the Davis LWV, visit lwvutah.org/about-davis.