Recent News and Events

2023 Annual Meeting

On June 1, 2023, Dr. Jean Wahl Harris, professor of political science in the Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service at the University of Scranton, led a discussion about voter engagement at the League’s annual dinner meeting.

2022 Holiday Dinner

On December 8, 2022, the LWV Chapter held its first annual holiday dinner since COVID, at The Café, in Plains.

Forums for State Elections

The Wilkes-Barre and the Lackawanna LWV chapters of the hosted four forums for State House and State Senate candidates; of these districts, two straddle Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.  The public was invited to these live events, which have been posted on the web.

118^th House District  (Pittston, Avoca, Bear Creek)

A debate featuring James Haddock and James May was held on on Wednesday, October 19 at the University of Scranton.  The event was hosted by the Lackawanna County chapter and The University of Scranton’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS).
  Times-Tribune article

119^th House District  (Mountain Top, Plymouth, Nanticoke)

A forum between Vito Malacari and Alec Ryncavage was held on Wednesday, October 19 at Luzerne County Community College.  Andy Mehalshick moderated the forum, which was recorded and aired by Service Electric TV.
  YouTube video
  Times Leader article

120^th House District  (West Side: Exeter – Edwardsville)

A forum between Fern Leard and Aaron Kaufer was held on Thursday, October 27 at the Gathering, First Presbyterian Church, Wilkes Barre.  The forum was moderated by Dr. Mia Briceño, Professor of Communication Studies at Wilkes University, and aired by Service Electric TV (Channel 9).
  YouTube video

22^nd Senate District  (Pittston, Avoca)

A debate between Thomas Bassett and Martin Flynn was held on Thursday, October 27 at the University of Scranton.  The debate was hosted by the Lackawanna County chapter and The University of Scranton’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS).
 Times-Tribune article

2022 Annual Meeting

On June 16, 2022, Michael Susek, Director of the Luzerne County Election Bureau, spoke at the League’s annual dinner meeting.  His presentation focused on many of the progressive voting initiatives in Colorado, where he lived before returning to the Wyoming Valley.  The presentation was followed by a lively Q&A session.

2021 Annual Meeting

The Chapter again held its annual meeting by Zoom, on July 7.  We hope to return to the traditional dinner meeting in June 2022.

Judicial Candidate Forum

On May 4, 2021, the League held a forum with the candidates for the county’s court of common pleas, in the primary election.  Jim Bobeck, Laura Dennis, Alexandra Kokura-Kravitz, and Tarah Toohil responded to questions from Judge Joseph Cosgrove.  The forum, held on Zoom, was hosted in conjunction with Kings and Misericordia Colleges.

State House Candidate Forum (120^th Distr.)

On October 13, 2020, the League hosted a spirited exchange between Joanna Bryn Smith and Aaron Kaufer, candidates for State Representative from the 120^th District.  Maureen Collins moderated the forum, which was held by Zoom. Over 90 people attended.   (Citizens’ Voice article)

Voter Registration Drives

• Tues. Oct 13  LCCC
• Weds. Oct 14  LCCC

Women Power the Vote:
  a joint commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the  
  19th Amendment

On Monday, 21 September 2020, the Chapter co-hosted the Peace and Justice Society’s Sabol Lecture, a conversation between Dr. Susan Poulson, Professor of History at The University of Scranton and author of Suffrage: The Epic Struggle for Women’s Right to Vote,  and Dr. Teri Finneman, Associate Professor of Journalism at the University of Kansas and author of Press Portrayals of Women Politicians: 1870s to 2000s.  The conversation was followed by discussion of the absentee ballot procedure and a short video highlighting the Luzerne County Historical Society's exhibit on women’s suffrage.

The Society thanks the McGowan Center at Kings College for providing the Zoom hosting for this event.

Videos from the event    Event Poster (pdf)

75th Anniversary Celebration

The WB section of the League of Women Voters hosted a reception on October 19, 2019, at Main Street Galleries, in Kingston, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the section.  Highlights included the presentation of proclamations from both Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski and the office of Sen. John Yudichak.  (Times-Leader Article)
 

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