I'm Voting No on Alternative Voting

I have done all that is reasonable for a citizen to do in preparation for a significant vote on bylaws changes of the Lake Forest Caucus:

• I read every email from the Caucus;
• My husband and I attended one of the two meetings at which Regina Etherton, current LF Caucus President, spoke to the reasons she recommends revising voting procedures;
• I took calls from current Caucus Committee members who reached out to find out what I was thinking;
• I’ve talked with other Lake Foresters to hear their views.

I am not convinced that this is the bylaws revision which we should be considering now.

First, I object to this proposed bylaws revision “jumping the queue.” Acknowledging voting issues which arose dramatically at the November 2022 election, past Caucus president Joe Oriti created an Ad Hoc group made up of citizen volunteers who deliberated for several months before making recommendations to the Caucus Committee about several significant bylaws changes. These crucially needed changes with respect to voting were backburnered by the current Caucus Committee, although during Oriti’s term they were promised as an urgent priority. I assumed, like many other Lake Forest residents, that this promise would be honored by the leadership team that succeeded Oriti. Current Caucus President Regina Etherton has indicated that the Ad Hoc work will be considered later. She has determined that the Alternative Voting Methods Bylaws Amendment is a higher priority.

My second concern is the process associated with the proposed bylaws change. In contrast to the Ad Hoc group formed by Oriti, the proposed alternative voting amendment was primarily considered by current Caucus Committee members, with a just a single presentation to the Ad Hoc committee. There were two public meetings which were in a presentation format, with time for questions at the end. I think the model of intensive work with community representatives outside the Caucus Committee would have been very desirable here, particularly if the group included Lake Forest residents with expertise in technology.

Finally, I continue to believe that the Lake Forest Caucus is operating at a trust deficit, as it has since November of 2022. Pushing for a single bylaws amendment when the actual voting process urgently needs modification is a clear indicator that the Caucus Committee is not aligned with community concerns. This new effort does not advance trust. I will vote NO.

The voting will take place in-person at the Gorton Community Center on Tuesday, October 14 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. You will need to present ID to vote, and you must be a registered voter residing in Lake Forest.