Happy Election Day and thank you for voting!
It's November 8 and the final day of the Get to the Polls MD 2022 fundraising campaign for the League of Women Voters of Maryland. If you've benefited from the League's nonpartisan voter services this fall or want to see progress on League public policy positions next year, please take this opportunity to donate.
On October 23rd and 30th, members of LWVAAC walked around Westfield Annapolis Mall in support of the state League's fundraising campaign.
Recent changes in the way Marylanders vote have caused confusion and uncertainty. Many people look for answers on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Unfortunately, not all of the election information shared on social media or the internet is accurate or true. Here are some tips to help you recognize misinformation and combat disinformation.
Misinformation vs. Disinformation
The difference between misinformation and disinformation is a matter of intent. Misinformation is inaccurate information that is shared due to an error or misunderstanding. Disinformation, on the other hand, is deliberately intended to deceive, manipulate, or mislead people.
Disinformation about our elections is developed and spread by entities seeking to undermine faith in our democracy. The following video from the Maryland Board of Elections describes how foreign bad actors interfered in the 2016 U.S. election:
By understanding how disinformation is created and spread, you can learn how to distinguish fact from fiction.
Finding Trusted Sources and Reliable Information
Many people now get their information primarily from social media. It is very easy for people and bot accounts to look like reliable sources. Do some research about the source to determine if it is reliable.
For information specific to voting, including dates, locations and requirements, the most reliable sources are election officials and official government websites, such as local (Anne Arundel County) and state (Maryland) Board of Elections websites.
When reading about candidates and election issues, ask yourself these questions and use your answers to determine how reliable the source is:
- Who is the author or source?
- What expertise in the topic do they have?
- What is the date of the information: is it current or old?
- What other information is the source posting?
- Does the source cite other sources that are reliable?
- Are other sources sharing the same information? Which sources have conflicting information? How reliable are those sources?
- What do official sources, such as government websites, say about the topic?
Disinformation is often designed to manipulate feelings. "News" that causes a strong emotional reaction is more likely to be shared on social media.
Ask yourself these questions about the specific information presented, and if you answer "yes" to any, do more research on the issue using reliable sources before you share the information:
- Is the information worded to provoke a strong emotional reaction?
- Does the content of the article match the headline?
- Does the information present statements of opinion that are not backed by facts or data?
- If data or facts are given, are they documented? Can they be confirmed? Are they accurate?
- If the information is presented in a soundbite, is it presented in context?
Preventing the Spread of Inaccurate Information
When you encounter bad information, what can you do to stop its spread?
- DO NOT repeat the bad information or quote it. Even if you then say the information is bad, or give good information after the bad information, repeating the bad information helps fix it in people's minds. If you want to refer to bad information, do so in a general way, such as "Some people are making false claims about the election."
- DO provide accurate information and include links to trusted sources for the accurate information.
- DO NOT click on or share links or memes that contain bad information, even if your plan is to refute it.
- DO report and block bad actors that share disinformation on social media platforms.
- DO NOT publicly respond to someone who is posting bad information on social media platforms. If someone you know is spreading bad information, contact them privately about removing the post. Public responses lead to a higher visibility of the original post.
- DO post your own post sharing the correct information when someone in your social media list posts disinformation or misinformation. This will prevent further spread of the bad information while reaching mutual friends on your lists that may have seen the bad information.
Arm yourself with the tools to stop the spread of disinformation. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has a website that focuses on stopping the spread of misinformation and disinformation, as well as malinformation, which is information that is mostly true but used in a misleading way. This website also provides a PDF of tips for stopping the spread of election and voting misinformation and disinformation.
Interested in learning more about the security of elections in Maryland and Anne Arundel County?
By Susan Cochran, Director and Action Co-Chair
As the nation is reeling from a recent string of mass shootings stretching from New York to Texas to Oklahoma, and gun violence continues, many of us are asking what can be done about gun violence. The League of Women Voters has been working for sensible gun safety laws for over 30 years. LWVUS CEO, Virginia Case Solomon, decried the Uvalde tragedy and declared, “We will not be silent.” The League’s position on gun ownership is clear:
The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens. The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens.Read more
LWVAAC has a robust Voter Services program. On July 4th League volunteers traditionally celebrate independence and democracy by registering newly naturalized U.S. citizens to vote. In a patriotic ceremony on the grounds of the historic William Paca house in Annapolis, ceremony participants take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America, administered by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service, Baltimore, and witnessed by family, friends, and the public of all ages. The new citizens on this July 4th came to the USA from 12 countries, including El Salvador, Finland, Israel, Jamaica, Nigeria, the Philippines, and United Kingdom. The event, held in a tent fitting the occasion and overlooking the Paca House formal gardens, is orchestrated by Historic Annapolis. (photos by: K. Larrabee)
Amanda SubbaRao published Voter Registration Opportunities in Voter Toolkit 2022-06-10 20:31:07 -0400
“Who’s on my ballot?” “Where is my polling place?” “What should I bring with me?” “Can I vote early?” Don’t worry, VOTE411.org has you covered!
Prefer a different format? LWVAAC offers that too! Click on the image below.
LWVAAC's Action Committee organizes events that promote the League’s position on an issue to government officials and the public. Such actions may include media campaigns, lobbying or advocating for a cause, and educating the public for support.
Email [email protected] for more information.
LWVAAC's Program Committee addresses local issues of compelling interest, often building relationships in the community and alliances with other organizations. At the local League level, the word “program” is used to describe a variety of events, including, but not limited to, speakers, panel discussions, candidate debates, and other educational activities for members and the public.
Email [email protected] for more information
Action to secure affordable housing for low and very low income residents and special populations in Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis. ⓘ
- rehabilitation of the existing housing supply to maintain the stock of affordable housing;
- meeting the housing and human service needs of special populations including, but not limited to
- increasing opportunities for people of low or moderate income;
- ensuring an adequate stock of subsidized housing, and rental assistance and services to low and
very low income persons.
The Commission is dedicated to strengthening communities and improving the lives of Anne Arundel County citizens focusing on the ownership, management, sustainability and preservation of affordable housing.
Support for election of Board of Education members in nonpartisan elections held at the same time as partisan elections. ⓘA:
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County consists of seven adult members and one student member. The adult members are elected in presidential election years and represent districts whose boundaries mirror those of County Council districts. The student member is elected by county students, appointed by the Governor, and serves a one-year term. The student member is the only student on a local school board in the nation who has full voting rights.
Support for a charter that is clear, concise and confined to fundamentals. ⓘA:
We, the People of Anne Arundel County, State of Maryland, in order to form a more orderly County government, establish separate legislative and executive branches, insure responsibility of and accountability for public funds, promote the general welfare and secure the benefits of home rule, do, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the State of Maryland, adopt, ordain and establish as our Charter and form of government this CHARTER OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND.
The Charter Revision Commission, created by Sec. 1203 in the County Charter, is responsible for conducting a comprehensive study of the County government and recommending revisions to the Charter as necessary, including the matter of the revision of the Councilmanic districts of the County.
Commission-Following release of U.S. Census data, the County Council appointed a Charter Revision Commission which has been working since October and should release a report at the end of March.
Hazardous ⓘ Support the efforts of County government to control problems of hazardous waste. Support establishment of central collections points for disposal of hazardous wastes from households and other small generators. Urge the County to provide adequate information on how to report suspected hazardous wastes and on ways to reduce the use of hazardous products in the household.
Solid ⓘ Support a program of solid waste management that protects public health and the environment through promotions of source reduction, recycling, and adoption of a conservation ethic among individuals, businesses, and government. We believe every individual must take responsibility for his or her waste and must change disposal habits. A solid waste plan should emphasize source reduction, waste materials recovery, recycling, and composting. Incineration (waste to energy) and other alternatives should be considered only after health, environmental, and economic effects have been studied. Includes City of Annapolis.A:
- The Recycle Coach App for mobile devices helps you keep track of what goes where and alerts you to ACC waste management events like Hazardous Waste Collection days. Download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
The Department of Public Works provides services to ensure safe drinking water; to enhance wastewater treatment; to efficiently recycle, collect trash, and dispose of waste; to maintain, manage, and operate the County's road and bridge network; to design and construct County infrastructure; and to provide innovative environmental restoration projects that maintain a high quality of life for residents and visitors of Anne Arundel County.
The Bureau is responsible for collecting recycling, yard waste and trash from over 168,000 curbside customers. The Bureau also is responsible for the operation of the Millersville Landfill and the County's Recycling centers.
Endorsement of the concept of controlled growth and encouragement of strong enforcement of existing land use controls (zoning, and storm water and sediment controls) and adoption of new regulations to support the concept. ⓘ
The League supports the following goals in accordance with this position.
- Promote and pursue balanced development in appropriate target areas that will have minimum impact on the environment and maximum long-term benefit to employment and the tax base including provision of opportunity for affordable housing and a variety of commercial activities in established commercial areas and discouragement of strip development.
- Enforce the County implementation of the critical area laws and ensure their adequacy.
- Enforce more strongly the adequate public facilities ordinances, including those regarding water and sewer systems, waste water treatment plants, roads, and public transportation.
- Reduce air, water, and noise pollution.
- Expand and strengthen watershed management with storm water and sediment controls, using stronger enforcement of regulations and citizen participation, e.g. as monitors.
- Maintain the integrity of rural residential and established farming areas by expanding the agricultural preservation program.
- Expand programs that support carpools, vanpools, and all forms of public transportation.
Our mission is to plan the overall physical development and growth of the County, update and enforce the zoning code, and administer the subdivision and development regulations.
Explore County data related to land use.
Explore County data related to planning and zoning.
ⓘ Support development and improvement of public transportation in Anne Arundel County, and encourage the county government to have thorough, professional studies made of the transportation needs of various sectors of the population, to develop proposals for meeting the needs, and to find ways to implement appropriate proposals. The LWVAA should evaluate proposals using relevant criteria regarding:
Users’ concerns–needs of various population groups and geographical areas, affordability of fares, travel time reliability and comfort, and safety;
Economics–capital costs (rights of way, construction and equipment), capital funding, operating costs, potential ridership and fare, operating revenues;
Physical matters–availability of rights of way, relation to other systems existing and planned, adaptability to future growth, and fuel type and consumption;
Environmental impact–pollution, and degradation of natural resources.A:
Learn more about transportation in AAC
A strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.
Stresses “four Es”: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Medical Services.
A vision for walking, bicycling, and rolling (using a wheelchair, roller skates, a scooter, or any other active transportation device) in the County.
Includes data maps for Rail Lines, Rail Stations, and Transportation Stops
The positions summarized below are the result of studies conducted by the League of Women Voters of Anne Arundel County over many years. The studies enable the League to articulate its public policy positions and, after they are subscribed to by members, they are used to take action to impact decisions made by various county and city level policy bodies.
Select a position to view links to local information and resources.
LWVAAC encourages all Anne Arundel County residents to be active and informed participants in their government.
Join the LWVAAC Observer Corps to monitor bills and committees in Anne Arundel County
Explore the Anne Arundel County Charter, County website, AAC Board of Elections website, district maps and more
Explore the Maryland Constitution, Code, General Assembly website, and more
Explore links to US Government websites
Explore the Annapolis website, Board of Elections website, and district maps
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
- MD General Assembly
- US Supreme Court
- US Senate
- US House of Representatives
- US Government Website
- US Government Budget
- US Courts
- US Constitution
- US Congress
- US Code
- Thomas Legislative Index
- White House
- Declaration of Independence
- Congressional Research Reports
- Bill of Rights
- data.gov—The US Government open data website