Work underway to revive League of Women Voters in Westmoreland County

The hotly contested 2020 elections opened more than a few eyes to the importance of the ballot box.

Rebecca Wyss, a recently retired metallurgical engineer, said, for her, it underscored the need for a nonpartisan conversation about the process. As she cast about for kindred souls, Wyss learned the League of Women Voters in Westmoreland County had all but folded up its tent several years earlier.

Now Wyss, who volunteered as a poll worker in her Murrys­ville precinct, and several others are attempting to revive the local chapter of the grassroots national organization that has played a key role in battling partisan gerry­mandering and lobbying for better access to the ballot box, among other issues.

They will hold an organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. June 16 at the Robertshaw Amphitheater in St. Clair Park, Greensburg. Wyss said the meeting will be held rain or shine, and men and women are welcome. Those interested in obtaining more information can email lwv forwc@gmail.com.

Harriet Ellenberger, a past president of the Westmoreland league, and Eileen Olmsted, a league educator and communications director for the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, couldn’t be happier to see the next generation stepping forward at the local level for the nonpartisan organization.

“The important thing is the league has to be nonpartisan,” Ellenberger said. “I couldn’t be an officer because, when I got frustrated, I formed the Democratic Women of Westmoreland to stay involved. But I’ve offered to help them in any way I can. And there’s still money in the league’s education fund, so they wouldn’t be starting from scratch.”

Wyss said she took it personally when people began to comment on the integrity of the election.

“We were in a pandemic, and everyone was working very hard to fulfill our obligations. It was eye opening to see how important voting is to our democracy,” Wyss said. “I’m so disappointed in how divisive politics is. If we could only get more moderate and pass something and see how it works, rather than everyone going to their own quarter.”

She said, when she began reaching out about her concerns, she found many shared a desire to work together. When they reached out to the league, they were impressed with the reception they received.

Ronel Baccus, who previously was involved with the league in Westmoreland, said she’s been reaching out to women in Greensburg, Latrobe and Ligonier and found a number of women who are interested in revitalizing the local chapter.

“We really need it. Many women here can’t go to Pittsburgh for league events, and we need to get out and hold our own candidates’ forums to make sure people know who the candidates are,” Baccus said.

Kristin Brennen of Murrysville said she also is reaching out to people in her circle to gauge interest.

“Personally, I just want to be involved for positive change,” Brennen said.

Olmsted said the league, while nonpartisan, has been an important voice in Pennsylvania for many years.

It was a lead plaintiff in a lengthy legal battle that challenged the state’s 2011 congressional redistricting plan, one that many considered the most gerrymandered in the nation. The plaintiffs finally prevailed with the state Supreme Court. And, in 2018, the court handed down a new plan that had a dramatic impact in that year’s election. Voters in the new districts flipped the congressional delegation that previously consisted of 13 Republicans and 5 Democrats, to an even 9 and 9 split that was more reflective of registration across the state.

In 2016, a spinoff group — Fair Districts PA — began pushing for reforms to redistricting that would make it more transparent and citizen centered than the closed-door, highly politicized processes of the past.

The league also has been a player in ballot access issues, successfully backing Act 77 of 2019 — the election law that snared overwhelming bipartisan support to usher in universal mail-in voting in Pennsylvania.

As lawmakers in the Republican-controlled General Assembly push for changes they say would make elections more secure, the league is monitoring developments to ensure changes don’t run in the direction of limiting access.

“The league pushed very hard for Act 77, so we’re very concerned. We realize there are some problems with Act 77, but they are relatively minor,” Olmsted said. “Women, despite their political differences, bring a different perspective to things. I’m delighted that leaders in the Democratic and the Republican parties in Pennsylvania are both women.

“The league is needed now more than ever.”