262 NATIONAL CIVIC REVIEW [May

Citizen Action . . . . . Kim Taylor, Editor

Women’s Caucus Seeks EquaIity

National Task Force Aims at Conventions

THE National Women’s Political Cau- cus, a multi-partisan coalition of

women seeking greater participation in government was organized last July. Since then hundreds of state and local affiliates have reportedly been set up. The organi- zation’s headquarters in Washington, D. C., publishes a newsletter informing local groups of activities and priorities.

The national organization has a task force to campaign for women’s representa- tion and participation (to the full extent of their proportion of the population) a t the presidential nominating conventions. The task force is composed of women lawyers, procedure experts and political leaders of both parties.

The group first met with the chairmen of the national parties. The rules of the Democratic party stipulate that each state delegation must show “reasonable represen- tation” of all population groups. The party chairmen further pledged that the burden of proof for compliance with party rules rests with the state delegations. T o insure that delegations are balanced the national committee has sent written instructions to all local and district groups via the state party so that any delegation which does not include 50 percent women will auto- matically be subject to a credentials chal- lenge.

The Republican National Committee did not formally agree to such a proposal for equal representation. A resolution will be voted on at the 1972 convention, and if it passes will be binding in 1976. After meeting with the task force the national committee chairman did make a strong

statement that some steps would be taken this year toward insuring adequate repre. sentation.

After conferences with the national com- mittee chairman the task force conferred with all the potential presidential candi- dates. Since many delegates are selected by the candidates and their district lead- ers, the women pressed for a commitment of fair representation.

Besides pressuring the national organi- zations and candidates for equal oppor- tunities, the National Women’s Political Caucus is committed to an educational project. Women are being encouraged to take part in the delegate selection process and be present when delegates are picked. If discrimination does exist challenges can begin immediately. The Women’s Education for Delegate Selection program holds conferences on rules and procedures for choosing delegates in each state. A follow-up program helps delegates un- familiar with convention activity. This will include meetings with women in each state delegation and one of all women delegates preceding the national conven- tions.

The national caucus has assumed the leadership role because it organized for this and similar types of projects. In response local caucuses have organized to coordinate and support their efforts to develop an effective voice not only at the conventions but also in administration and legislation after the election.

LWV Continues Remap Battle

Reapportionment, an issue which the Washington State League of Women voters was instrumental in bringing to life, is again facing the legislature since it did not meet the February 25 deadline. The Washittgdon State Voter reports that

19721 NEWS I N REVIEW 263

another election from the existing districts would clearly violate the state and fed- eral constitutions, and the courts recently named a redistricting master.

The league began the reapportionment battles in the 1950s. Members campaigned by initiative for reapportionment on the basis of the state constitutional provision requiring legislative apportionment ac- cording to the number of inhabitants. The league-sponsored initiative won at the polls but each house of the legislature over- rode it with a two-thirds vote and re- established the old districts,

The 1960 census showed those districts to be more unrepresentative than during the league’s campaign, and another initia- tive was drafted. The U. S. Supreme Court then handed down the Baker v. Carr decision which gave citizens the right to judicial redress for inadequate legislative representation. A challenge brought by a King County citizen was delayed until after the referendum, which failed, the Voter claims, because possi- bility of judicial relief existed. The L W V then joined the postponed court battle. As a result the court held in 1962 that the legislature was malapportioned and the next legislature was ordered to change the boundaries. It did not redis- trict; it did pass a memorial to the Con- gress calling for a national constitutional convention to remove apportionment from the jurisdiction of the federal courts.

In 1964 the issue came to a head when the U. S. Supreme Court denied review of the LWV case so that the verdict of dis- criminatory districts held. That edict was further strengthened by the subsequent Reynolds v. Sims decision. Washington’s governor declined to call a special legis- lative session to enact a redistricting bill. The court considered several alternatives to the existing districts but rejected them as too burdensome for the voters. The court ordered the legislature to redistrict itself as the first order of business in 1965. while retaining jurisdiction to act if the

legislature failed and to grant final ap- proval of the plans. The legislature acted as directed, the courts approved and the voters elected representatives from new districts, 10 years after the battle had begun.

Phoenix Citizens Volunteer As Probation Sponsors

Phoenix volunteer probation sponsors have completed training in a new pro- gram initiated by the municipal court to help train and provide assistance to per- sons found guilty of misdemeanors. Ac- cording to city officials similar pro- grams in other cities have decreased repetition of crime.

Each volunteer will meet weekly with one probationer. This not only gives the offender greater personal attention than possible under conventional programs, but also reduces court and police expense of those services. Offenders are referred to the program either by a judge or an out- side agency. Investigations are conducted to determine if the probationer is a good risk.

Dial Washington for Legislative News

Washington Dial, a three-minute re- corded telephone summary of congres- sional activity, is being sponsored by the legislative department of the U. S. Cham- ber of Commerce. The tape is recorded daily Monday through Friday and can be dialed seven days a week at station-to- station rates. The number is (202) 872- 1313.

Each day legislative information affect- ing business is collected by chamber staff through regular contacts on capitol hill. The legislative department analyzes and organizes the information, eliminating the least timely. By 9:30 every morning the material has been taped for Washington Dial.