Though the recent election kept the Republicans in their minority status in the Maryland state legislature, members of the Severna Park Republican Women?s Club say they will rally for new policies as soon as the legislature reconvenes on Jan. 12.
The club met Tuesday in its first gathering since the midterm elections, with a luncheon and speeches at Anchor Baptist Church in Millersville.
The groups main goal is tougher punishment for repeat child sex offenders, said Pat Parker, president of the Maryland Federation of Republican Women, the organization that oversees Republican women?s clubs across the state.
They want a more severe standard than a law passed in the 2006 session, which required extended parole supervision for sexual offenders; however, the group has not determined specifics of the plan they would like to enact, Parker said.
It will pursue two election-related issues as main goals. The club will fight to require photo identification for voter registration. The club will also push for paper voter receipts that pollworkers can count after the election.
“Our goal is to have voters really feel their vote is accurately represented by the next election,” Parker said.
The group chose the state issues because it wants to appeal to the majority-holding Democrats.
“These are issues that should be nonpartisan, because they are in the best interest of voters and our children,” Parker said.
At the county level, the club will rally against potential tax increases, club President Faith Loudon said.
The club will visit the state legislature, write letters to newspapers, partner with other organizations and host meetings in order to advocate for their political positions, Loudon said.
