THE LAKE FOREST CAUCUS PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE VOTING METHODS BYLAWS AMENDMENT

Over the course of the many years that I have served on the Caucus Committee, the Caucus Committee has received numerous inquiries from the Caucus membership before each Annual and Spring Meeting asking why the Caucus Committee could not allow its membership to vote other than “in person.” The reason was simple, the Caucus Bylaws did not allow it. Under the present Caucus Bylaws, voting by its membership is limited to those attending a meeting “in person.”

The Caucus Committee wants to make voting available to every Lake Forester who wants to participate, not only to those who are able to appear personally at the Gorton Center during particular hours on the day of voting. By expanding voting methods, the Caucus Committee will be able to facilitate future votes that are held by the Caucus Committee to be more representative of the Lake Forest population at large, rather than votes that are determined by a small minority of those who can make it to vote “in person.”

The Caucus Committee has worked furiously since April 8, 2025 to transform the Caucus’ voting to permit it to be available to the community at large, through the use of alternative voting methods. The Ad Hoc Committee that was appointed to review the Caucus’ Bylaws has participated in this process. The Caucus Committee held two meetings open to all citizens for the community to discuss the proposed Amendment with the Caucus Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee.

The Amendment that is being proposed has been unanimously approved by the Caucus Committee and by its Executive Committee and has also been approved by the Ad Hoc Committee. It will allow for different forms of voting.  These forms would include the current “in person” option as well as electronic and other voting methods.

As President of the Lake Forest Caucus, I support voter’s rights, inclusivity in voting, and providing the opportunity for all Lake Foresters to express their opinions when the Lake Forest Caucus has votes open to the Caucus membership.

The Caucus Committee asks for your support in transforming Caucus voting in Lake Forest. This Amendment requires obtaining a two-thirds vote of those present to vote, in order to pass. Please vote “yes” for the Amendment at the Caucus Annual Meeting on October 14, 2025 to be held at the Gorton Center.

As always, we continue to be grateful for the community support that the Caucus receives and are committed to working for and with you to ensure that Lake Forest remains a very special place to live!  

Sincerely,

Regina Etherton

Lake Forest Caucus President