League of Women Voters Massachusetts Leagues National Studies on Structure of Democracy Money in Politics & Constitutional Amendment Process

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1 League of Women Voters Massachusetts Leagues National Studies on Structure of Democracy Money in Politics & Amendment Process Materials and Information to Support Study Participation One-stop website (lwvma.org) including a Quick Link on right of page for LWVUS and Money in Politics Review and Update Links to LWVUS websites; postings; materials Links to LWVUS webinar on the studies Recommended readings Sample newsletter articles and web postings Sample press releases Calendar of local League study-related forums, information sessions, and consensus meetings Steering Committee for coordination and support (lwvus.studies@lwvma.org) The studies Steering Committee is composed of League members in Massachusetts Leagues interested in ensuring our Leagues participate in these two studies, to add our voices to the debate, and make sure MA Leagues are well-represented. Leagues in MA and LWVMA were instrumental in raising the issue of money in politics at the national level at the three prior LWVUS Conventions, and now we have a chance to join others in the country and make our voices heard in true League fashion: through study and consensus. The will consider the process of amending the U.S. Constitution. Consensus Report Deadline: December 1, The Money in Politics Review will update the League s position on campaign finance. The campaign finance position will be updated through a study and consensus process to consider: (1) the rights of individuals and organizations, under the First Amendment, to express their political views through independent expenditures and the finance of election campaign activities; and (2) how those rights, if any, should be protected and reconciled with the interests set out in the current position. Consensus Report Deadline: February 1, 2016 JOIN THE CONVERSATION AND CONSENSUS! MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD lwvus.studies@lwvma.org

2 LWVUS Studies Webpages 3 Webpages: Parent Page: Resources relevant to both studies and the study process 2 Study- Specific Pages: Amendment and Money in Politics Access via lwvma.org homepage Right Sidebar Quick Links 1

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5 Calendar of LWVUS Studies Activities Local Leagues in MA (as of October 2, ) October 10, 1:30 pm October 15, 6:30 pm October 21, 7:00 pm October 28, 2 meetings, morning and afternoon (attend only one) November 1, 2-4 pm November 10 12:30 pm November 18 7:00 pm November 19, 7:00 pm November 20, 9:15 am January 21, :30 pm Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant St, Marblehead, lower level meeting room Needham Library, 1139 Highland Avenue Acton Memorial Library 486 Main St (Rt. 27) 9:30am-2:00 pm (bring lunch) 1360 Monument St. 7:00 pm-10 pm 57 Sudbury Rd., Concord Marblehead Jones Library Bangs Center Falmouth Main Public Library Needham Library, 1139 Highland Avenue Needham Library, 1139 Highland Avenue LWV Marblehead Fall Membership meeting: Money in Politics Open to public. LWV Needham Opening Meeting: Money in Politics LWV Acton Area Information Meeting LWV Concord- Carlisle Consensus Meetings LWV Marblehead All- Member Consensus Meeting on LWV Amherst Information and Consensus meetings. LWV Falmouth Consensus meeting LWV Needham Consensus Meeting LWV Needham Money in Politics Review and Update Consensus Meeting Will feature LWVUS MIP study PowerPoint. This meeting is designed to attract potential new members by informing them about what the League does and what we ve accomplished in Marblehead, while educating the public about campaign finance issues. Contact kathlen@comcast.net. Introduction to study topic and remarks from Sen. Jamie Eldridge. Contact president@lwv-needham.org Study Committee members will present the background material. Contact annchang7@gmail.com Two consensus meetings covering the same material at each. Study Committee members will present the background and lead the consensus. Contact lzimmaro@lwvma.org For location of the meeting and information contact: Contact kathlen@comcast.net. For further information, directions, and contacts visit the LWV Amherst website. Contact Margaret Cooper msc0512@comcast.net. Study Committee members will present the background and lead the consensus. Contact president@lwv-needham.org. Study Committee members will present the background and lead the consensus. Contact president@lwv-needham.org. Full calendar with links to further information at lwvma.org. It is recommended you check with the local League contact to make sure there have not been any changes in the time or location of meetings.

6 The Marblehead League of Women Voters cordially invites the public to our Please join us as w Saturday October 10 th 1:30 PM Abbot Public Library Lower Level Conference Room Join us to learn about the League of Women Voters of Marblehead (who we are, what we do) and to explore with us the changing climate of Campaign Finance in America. The League of Women Voters is non- partisan with respect to candidates and political parties. It was formed in 1920 and is dedicated to the principles of self- government established by the Constitution of the United States. The League works to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. Membership is open to all. For more information, please contact Kathy Leonardson, kathlen@comcast.net

7 League of Women Voters of Needham Opening Meeting Money in Politics Thursday, October 15, Community Room, Needham Library 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA :30 PM Refreshments 7:00 PM History and Current State of Money in Politics 7:55 PM Introduction of Guest Speaker: Rep. Denise Garlick 8:00 PM Guest Speaker: State Senator Jamie Eldridge Followed by Question and Answer Period Opening Meeting is a League event for members, guests and the public. Please join us for Opening Meeting as we kick-off the national study of Money in Politics! State Senator Jamie Eldridge has served as State Senator for the Middlesex and Worcester district since January He serves as the current Senate Chair of Financial Services. Previously, Jamie served as State Representative for the 37th Middlesex district. As the only Clean Elections candidate elected to public office in Massachusetts history in November 2002, he understands the critical need to reduce the influence of special interest money on elections and give the public confidence that their elected officials are acting in the best interest of their constituents. Sen. Eldridge is the lead sponsor of bills designed to address the negative impacts of the Citizens United case here in Massachusetts, including bills to promote shareholder accountability, and remove pay-to-play opportunities in our political system. His bill, the Disclose Act, increased the disclosure of corporate political spending and was signed into law last session. Sen. Eldridge is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Boston College Law School, where he served as President of the Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) for two years. Prior to his election as State Representative, Jamie worked as a public interest attorney with Merrimack Valley Legal Services in Lowell, a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to the poor and the elderly. As a public interest lawyer, he also worked to help low-income residents with issues of housing, Social Security, disability, and unemployment. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS of NEEDHAM For further information president@lwv-needham.org.