The Partial Observer by Patty MacLeish

League of Women Voters Observers are Shining a Light on Democracy

Held each year in mid-March, Sunshine Week is a nonpartisan collaboration among groups in the journalism, civic, education, government and private sectors. Their purpose is to shine a light on the importance of public records and open government. The League supports these efforts and in spring 2023 and after a hiatus of several decades, the LWV of the Cooperstown Area reinstated its Observer Corps. The Observer Corps are members of the League who attend local governmental meetings, note what happens at the meeting, and report back to the League Board. Observers also review other ways the entities interact with the public, such as websites and live broadcast of the meetings.

Observers help ensure that the issues facing our community are being handled in the open—“in the sunshine”—and that there is transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement that supports good government.