Fremont County resident Linda Barton is working to form the Fremont County League of Women Voters. This would be a local League of the 100-year-old national organization focused on empowering voters to make informed decisions. Wyoming currently has four Leagues across the state in Cheyenne, Laramie, Casper, and Gillette.
In January, Linda organized two informational meetings at the Lander and Riverton Branch Libraries. Both were well attended with about 75 folks in each location, Linda shared. Between the two meetings and the Women’s March in Lander, they now have over 100 women, men, and young people interested and on their distribution list. She is currently planning meetings in Ft. Washakie, Ethete, and Dubois to ensure that the entire county has the opportunity to learn more about the League and participate if they choose. You can find the dates for those meetings when they are finalized on the Fremont County League of Women Voters Facebook page.
“I had always been interested in joining a League because of the great work it has done for 100 years,” Linda said. “We did not have a League in Fremont County, and I felt that we needed one.” She retired in July 2019, and that’s when she got involved with the League.
In January 2020, after consulting with the League of Women Voters Wyoming, they began working to develop a Fremont County League of Women Voters. The League is open to anyone, not just women, who are at least 16-years-old as well as non-citizens (although they cannot be a voting member). Their outreach continues in Fremont County, and they are also working to create the organizational structure that includes By-Laws and other documents to become an official League.
“The League is non-partisan and does not support any candidate or party,” Linda said. “However, the League provides voter information that people need when making informed voting decisions. We will be providing candidate forums, voter guides, and pro//con information on local and county bills or propositions but not promoting one way or another. We will get out the vote, drive voters to polling centers if they need, and generally supporting the county clerk. We also intend to work on the 2020 Census as Fremont County is one of two counties whose data was underreported. This leads to less funding coming into the county. The other county was Sweetwater.”
On March 4, several League members will be working the pledge phones for PBS at CWC in Riverton from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. You can learn more about the event by clicking here.
Linda has encouraged those interested to visit the Fremont County League of Women Voters Facebook page or in contacting her directly by calling (307) 349-1427 or email her at [email protected].