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Groups team for Voter Eligibility and Voter Protection Seminar

The Northwest Suburban Bar Association and the League of Women Voters are collaborating to provide NWSBA members with a seminar on Voter Eligibility and Voter Protection. The event will take place virtually at noon Oct. 14 via Zoom.

Attorney Gary A. Newland of Newland & Newland, LLP, in Arlington Heights, president of the NWSBA, suggested that the NWSBA partner with the LWV as part of his initiative to collaborate with other civic organizations in the community.

Newland believes it is part of the NWSBA's civic responsibility to offer this seminar, stressing the importance of exercising the right to vote by actively participating in our democracy.

Attorney William (Bill) F. Kelley of Kelley, Kelley & Kelley in Schaumburg is coordinating the Voter Eligibility and Voter Protection seminar and will serve as its moderator. As a past president of the NWSBA, Kelley also served on the board of governors.

Kelley has been instrumental in developing the seminar platform and is at the forefront of promoting the nonpartisan Voter Eligibility and Voter Protection Program.

In addition, Heidi Graham, president of the LWV, will highlight the different types of voter resources that are provided by the LWV.

For more than 40 years, Kelley has engaged in voter protection efforts as a volunteer during elections to provide voters with reliable information. He believes attorneys are uniquely positioned to protect this right, yet many might be unaware of the changing voting parameters, especially early voting, absentee/mail-in voting, and curbside voting.

Many NWSBA members will travel to Wisconsin to serve as volunteers for this election. The NWSBA is providing a great service to members who may need to know not only recent changes to Illinois law, but also Wisconsin law amendments.

With that in mind, the NWSBA has enlisted two presenters: Matthew Flamm will address voter eligibility in light of the Illinois law the General Assembly passed in June of 2020. Hillary Vedvig will speak to Voter Eligibility and Voter Protection issues in Wisconsin.

There is also a real concern among people across the country that voter intimidation may be prevalent in this election. In addition, disinformation could include incorrect polling place locations or hours, plus fraudulent campaign mailers.

"The need for partnerships by nonpartisan organizations like the NWSBA and the League of Women Voters to inform the electorate and protect the right to vote has never been greater," Kelley said.

"I cherish the right to vote; I believe it is at the very core of our democracy. It is not only our constitutional right, but it is also our responsibility as Americans."

The Northwest Suburban Bar Association was formed more than 50 years ago by founding members Kenneth G. Meyer, Don Norman, Jim Dowd and Bill Moore to serve the Northwest Suburban legal community. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest Bar Associations in Illinois, with approximately 600 members.

To learn more about the NWSBA, visit www.nwsba.org or call (847) 621-2378.

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