Next Tuesday is Election Day — which marks the culmination of many months of work by members of the Iowa League of Women Voters . President Audrey Hauter of Cedar Rapids, says the league’s members in 15 chapters across the state have been involved in several voter education projects.
Hauter says: "State League is mainly interested in state priorities, except for immigration reform. That, of course, is national, and campaign finance reform. Our other priorities are all statewide." The League is a non-partisan voter education organization presenting information on the issues that impact all Iowans.
Hauter says one main focus is on getting Iowans registered to vote. She says registration drives have been underway in places including shopping malls and colleges. The League also contacts state legislators on issues ranging from water quality to immigration. Hauter says one concern the legislature should address deals with consumer scams.
She says: "We would like to protect Iowans from predatory lending and consumer fraud. We want to encourage the legislature to pass legislation to reduce payday loan fees. There are quite a number of these payday loan companies that have cropped up in Iowa."
The League also wants a law change so consumers can sue any entity when they believe they have been scammed or defrauded. Hauter says Iowa’s consumer fraud act only allows the Iowa Attorney General to sue, not individuals. Iowa’s the only state in the U.S. where this is the case. Membership in the League of Women Voters is open to everyone — including men.