As we begin our Annual Town Meetings and Town Elections season here on the Vineyard and in the Commonwealth, we are reminded about our 250-year anniversary since the ratification of our country’s Declaration of Independence. The local League’s introductory remarks at Town Candidate forums contained the following:
An historical anecdote about Town Meetings –
When the British passed the Massachusetts Government Act in 1774 to ban town meetings, it was taken as a direct assault on liberty. In response, many towns barred their doors against British soldiers to continue meeting, often enumerating the grievances later listed in the Declaration of Independence. Nearly 60 Massachusetts towns in 1776 alone debated the notion of Independence. Some issued Declarations on their own…….and in 1776, actually beginning in 1775, our 3 Towns on the Vineyard – Chilmark, Edgartown and Tisbury – were taking up their own declarations…..
FOR MORE INFORMATION on actions being taken by our 3 towns, we refer you to our MV Museum’s archives.
An historical anecdote about Town Elections –
During the 1630’s the office of Constable was one of the first, and often compulsory, elected or appointed positions created in the original colonial communities. And by the 1640’s, the Town Clerk, along with the Select Board (formerly known as Townsmen and then Selectmen) were being elected at the Town (Municipal) level.
(Information provided by Deborah Medders, LWV-MV member and former Tisbury Town Moderator)
CANDIDATE FORUMS
The League holds a candidate forum each spring in each town that has contested races. Current information about the next round of Candidate Forums spring 2026 can be found HERE
If you are considering running for office, check out interviews with a local elected official who discusses why he ran. He was interviewed by Judy Crawford from LWV-MV. You may view the video here on MVTV
LWV-MV YOUTH VOTER PROJECT/CIVICS PROJECTS
VOTER REGISTRATION: In October 2025, working with students in the Women’s Club at MVRHS, the League held a Voter Registration Drive. The students in the club visited social studies classes, shared “talking points” prepared by the League, and encouraged all eligible
students to register and then vote.
CIVICS PROJECTS: In October 2024, the League was invited into the senior Civics Class, taught by teacher, Brian Roesler, to learn about and support the development of the student-led state mandated Civics Project. League members visited the class in the fall when the students were just getting started and again in May 2025, when they made their final presentations. League members were impressed with the student concerns, where they felt they could have an impact in the community, their commitment, research, knowledge, technology and presentation skills. The Project subjects included: Alpha Gal Food Designations for Restaurants, Rethinking approaches to MVRHS Students Addictions Support and Counseling, Enhancing Cross Cultural Learning for Diverse
Communities on the Island, and Addressing Bike Path and Road Signage for Enhanced Travel Safety.
LWV-MV HONORARY LEIGH B. SMITH SCHOLARSHIP
The League awards a scholarship each year to a graduating senior high school student who lives on the Vineyard or to a first year, full-time Vineyard college student, and who is pursuing a higher education degree in an area supporting the League’s mission: environmental science, political science or women studies. The student would have attended high school at:
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS)
Martha’s Vineyard Charter School (MVCS)
A certified home school program
Other public or private accredited school
LADY FEST AND WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY 2025
LWV-MV participated in Lady Fest on Oct 11, 2025, an event celebrating women-fueled music on Martha’s Vineyard. All monies raised were used to support “CONNECT to End Violence.” League members were in force to assist any and all LadyFest attendees with registering to vote. Below: Carole Early, Ken Armstead.
Lighting of the MV Museum on Aug 26, 2025 in honor of Women’s Equality Day, above and below. (photo credit: Scott Crawford)
COALITION TO CREATE THE MV HOUSING BANK
The MV League of Voters is in strong support of the creation of a Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank (CCMVHB). Proposed legislation went to the Massachusetts State Legislature for approval. For additional information and to learn where things stand, please go to https://www.ccmvhb.org/ and https://vineyardgazette.com/tags/housing-bank
PAGE UPDATED 4/8/2026