Show League Favors Direct Election The National League of Women Voters of the United States has announced a new national position in favor of the direct popular election of the president and vice president and the abolishment abolishment abolishment abolish abolish- ment of the present Electoral College system I THE ACTION taken by bythe bythe bythe the League Board of Directors Directors Directors tors marks the beginning of ofa a national effort for a constitutional constitutional constitutional con con- cont t amendment establishing establishing establishing lishing a direct election method The League position also includes provisions for fora a run-off run election in the event even that no candidate receives more than 40 percent of the votes cast League president Mrs Bruce B B. B Benson Amherst Mass stated The uThe decision from local Leagues in all sections of the country stems from 18 months of study and discussion discussion discussion discus discus- sion by local members MRS BENSON reported that over 1000 Leagues registering registering registering regis regis- an opinion in the consensus consensus consensus con con- making process 78 10 were in support of the direct election method Only four Leagues favored retaining the present system The League of Women voters will immediately press for passage of a Senate Joint Resolution for a direct election amendment during this session session session ses ses- ses- ses sion of Congress A JOINT Resolution HJ Res received the necessary necessary necessary essary two-thirds two vote on Sept 18 1969 Additionally state and local Leagues will also begin action programs which will focus on their state legislators and on informing in informing informing in- in forming the voting public of the issues involved Mrs Roselyn Dechart Bountiful Bountiful Bountiful Boun Boun- League president states that the local League was in favor of the direct election method This consensus was sent to the national office of the League of Women Voters Vot Vot- ers erSt bIm |