The LuLac Edition #5, 146, July 23rd, 2024

 STATE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS WEIGH IN ON BIDEN

DECISION

This is an e mail that was sent to members of the Wilkes-Barre League of Women Voters on how a party handles succession plan.

 Hello and good morning,

I am writing to provide some context, talking points, and resources to help you answer any questions you might receive regarding the decision of the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee to withdraw from the presidential race.

First, it is really important to keep in mind that while it is unusual for a party's presumptive nominee to withdraw from a presidential race at this point in the race -- indeed, we are hearing that it is "unprecedented" -- please remember that the modern primary system did not came about until after WWII and really not until after the 1972 presidential election. So while this is unusual, it is hard to say that anything is "unprecedented" with such a relatively short history to draw upon. (See here for a history of primary elections in the United States.)

Second, and related to the first point, there are no federal laws governing the conduct of primary elections. Primaries are governed by the rules of the parties. The LWV is a member organization of the National Task Force on Election Crises, who released a statement following President Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race. The Task Force makes two key points related to election rules and laws that I'd like to highlight for us to keep in mind as we talk to League members and members of our communities:

1. "Americans can be confident that this situation falls well within existing rules and that their election system continues to allow for a free and fair election."

2. President Biden was not yet the official Democratic Party nominee, he was the presumptive nominee. As a result, and importantly, "state ballot access laws are no obstacle to the party choosing a nominee other than President Biden. States have not yet printed ballots for the general election, and state laws across the country provide for the candidate chosen by the Democratic Party at or before the convention to appear on ballots this November irrespective of whether that nominee is the same individual as the party’s presumptive nominee based on the results of the party’s presidential preference primaries."

Third, we need to continue to remind folks that there isn't just one election in November; the presidential candidates need to win each state, as states, state by state, and there are congressional and state legislative races across the country that really matter as well. We should continue to emphasize the importance of down-ballot voting. And, if folks are feeling uncertain in these unusual times, remind them that the best action to take is to vote and to get their friends and families to do the same.

Finally, here are some resources for you to refer to in the coming days. As more are created, provided, and shared, I will be sure to pass them along.

1. LWV-US statement  President Biden Withdraws from Reelection | League of Women Voters (lwv.org)

2. National Task Force on Election Crisis, "Statement on the Democratic Party Replacing Its Presumptive Nominee" Task Force Statement Candidate Succession (electiontaskforce.org)

3. National Task Force on Election Crisis, "Candidate Succession Before Election Day" Final Draft TF Explainer on Candidate Succession pre-Election Day (with TF edits).docx (electiontaskforce.org)

I will continue to keep you up-to-date and informed about any new resources or information that would be helpful. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions and/or concerns.

Amy Widestrom, PhD (she/her)

Executive Director

League of Women Voters of PA

To become a member of the Wilkes-Barre League of Women Voters access this link:

LWV-WBA: Join Us (lwvwba.org)

 STATE DEMS ENDORSE HARRIS

Yesterday at noon the state Democratic committee endorsed Vice President Harris for President. Here’s what Luzerne County ChaIR Tom Shubilla wrote:

 This morning the PA Democratic Party Executive Committee has voted to endorse Kamala Harris for President of the United States and County Chairs will follow suit at noon.

 I will do my best to keep everyone in the loop as news progresses but matter what we must continue to work hard to unite the Democratic Party and engage our voters to keep democracy alive and well in the United States.

 I say it in every interview I do: "Once again, all eyes are on Luzerne County."